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SoldierStrong featured on Martha MacCallum’s ‘The Story’

SoldierStrong Making an Impact

 SoldierStrong founder Chris Meek featured on Fox News “The Story” with Martha MacCallum (transcript)

Chris Meek (on Capitol Hill): “On September 11 2001, I was running floor trading operations for Goldman Sachs at Ground Zero in New York City. As I watched the first responders running into the carnage of that day, I resolved to do something to give back to those who serve. April 27th, 2011 was my daughter’s fifth birthday. We celebrated like many families with cake and ice cream and without a care in the world. 6,800 miles away army sergeant Dan Rose was being medevacked from the battlefield to Kandahar. The vehicle he was it was in hit an IED and his injuries would rob him [of] the ability to walk again. Dan’s experience that day was a personal reminder of how much we owe our veterans and how their sacrifices allow all of us to take for granted the lives we were blessed to live here.”

Martha MacCallum (on Capitol Hill): “I will never forget the day that sergeant Dan Rose came to our studio to demonstrate how his soldier suit allowed him to get up from his wheelchair and take the steps that he never dreamed he would be able to take again. As Americans, we must make sure that we give back but give back in a way that is uniquely American that relies on this cutting-edge technology and never take no for an answer.”

Martha MacCallum (in Studio): “So that was part of an interesting experience that we had on Capitol Hill this week exploring new ways to empower the lives of our veterans through cutting-edge technology and I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of SoldierStrong, an organization that I have been on the advisory board of since 2014 and it aims to help injured heroes get back on their feet using this amazing new development in rehabilitation technology and joining us Chris meek. He is the chairman and the co-founder of SoldierStrong he founded it he works on it every single day and he is a hero to me and to many who are helped by his work. Chris great to see you this evening thanks for being here. You know we were there to talk to the House Science and Technology Committee about this cutting-edge technology and how it can be integrated into what our into how we continue to serve our veterans, and you feel that the way that we work on technology for the battlefield has to be extended across that bridge to after they come home.”

Chris Meek: “Absolutely and a lot of devices that we fund were originally funded through DARPA which is a part of the Department of Defense, and as you mentioned, we give our warfighters the absolute best technology we can on the battlefield but once they come home and they face the VA system there’s really no DARPA for veterans back here. And so we’re trying to fill that what I call the death valley gap. What they have in the battlefield versus the care they received back here at home.”

Martha MacCallum: “…And there are American companies that are making you know as I said during the hearing it’s that you know “Ironman isn’t just in the movies” I mean they’re creating arms that are fully usable from the elbow to the wrist all the way down to the fingers tell people a little bit about what can be done now that is so new and incredible.”

Chris Meek: “Well, now it’s even going a step further so the one device you mentioned actually is the only full range that includes the shoulder but now they’re hardwiring them into your brains so you actually just think about it and it moves other things like virtual reality. There’s one veteran we worked with at Vanderbilt University where he lost his arm in Vietnam and through technology, he put on through virtual reality actually turned a doorknob and he started crying it was the first time he actually felt a doorknob in 25 years and so to your point science fiction is becoming science fact.

Martha MacCallum: “Let’s just watch a moment with Dan Rose when he was in our studio a while back.”

Dan Rose: “Standing up was surreal like you know the act of like actually you know pushing up standing up and being high level with people again was just an amazing experience.”

Martha MacCallum: “The other side of this is government spending, and how it’s used right this technology is so psychologically beneficial as Dan says and it can turn people’s lives really talked about the fact that 20 veterans commit suicide every single day this technology helps to improve their lives and we hope to prevent some of those lives from being lost in that horrific way.”

Chris Meek: “Absolutely, and it’s one thing to think about being able to stand and bi-level with the world again it’s something that unites would take for granted but going that step further we’re actually working with some VA medical centers on a mental health study showing those benefits obviously the medical benefits are there things like reducing urinary tract infection increasing a muscle and bone density which the things that you don’t think about the unseen wounds of war that they talk about.

Martha MacCallum: “We’re going to see SoldierStrong this weekend at the Indy 500 right?”

Chris Meek: “We are, we are. We’re very fortunate to work with United Rentals one of our major sponsors and they are a sponsor of Indy car team Rae Hall Letterman Lanigan and they launched a program called turns for troops. the website is turnsfortroops.com and what they do is for every lap that driver Graham Rahal completes throughout the entire IndyCar season United Rentals donates $50 to our program thanks to them and to him.

Martha MacCallum: “It’s an extraordinary event you’re gonna be there this weekend so have fun send us some pictures and in the meantime, we’ve been putting on the bottom transfer troops in soldier strong org please make it part of your Memorial Day to log on and to check this out we hope you’ll help.”

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UNITED RENTALS REWARDING TURNS FOR TROOPS FOR ALL RAHAL DRIVERS’ LAPS IN MAY

Group Photo With Turns For Troops Driver Graham Rahal.

INDIANAPOLIS – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will be making more meaningful turns at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May.

A Turns for Troops drive that began in 2016 with United Rentals donating $50 for each lap Graham Rahal completes in the Verizon IndyCar Series was expanded Friday to apply to fellow Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing drivers Takuma Sato and Oriol Servia. That’s for Rahal and Sato in today’s INDYCAR Grand Prix, then all three drivers in the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 27.

“I have spent a lot of time with wounded vets and I have spent a lot of time over the years working with programs like this, but I’ve never had one that’s this in-depth,” said Rahal, who was joined in making the announcement by team co-owners Michael Lanigan, David Letterman and Bobby Rahal (all pictured above with Graham Rahal), as well as Chris Hummel, chief marketing officer for United Rentals, and Stephanie Turzanski, executive director of SoldierStrong.

United Rentals, the primary sponsor on Rahal’s No. 15 Honda, has donated $274,376 since 2016, which includes $22,376 for 445 laps completed in the first four races this season. The SoldierStrong program funds access to education, state-of-the-art rehabilitation programs and technologies that address a variety of combat-related injuries for military veterans.

Rahal’s personal connection includes a special bond with two retired U.S. Army veterans, Sgt. Dan Rose and Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins. Rose, who met Rahal at the Sonoma Raceway race in 2016, is paralyzed but uses an exoskeleton to walk. Nevins, who became a close friend after meeting at a PGA Tour event, is a scratch golfer with the use of prosthetic legs.

“A lot of people just don’t really realize how bad it can be,” Rahal said. “We all know that troops go overseas, no matter what branch of military you’re in, and sometimes you don’t come back in the same condition you left in. But people don’t realize what that means.

“It’s easy for us to say, but a lot of people including myself will never understand what it’s actually like to live that each and every day. Our team and United Rentals, we try to work together to just continue to make a difference for those people as best we can.”

That poignant point was also made by RLL co-owner and late-night talk-show icon David Letterman, who typically amuses with his sense of humor and then drives home a message that’s most important.

Letterman shared a story about a trip to visit veterans at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he met U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a retired lieutenant colonel who lost her legs and part of an arm after being shot down in a helicopter. She joined Letterman visiting several wounded veterans, including a man who lost his legs below the knee. Letterman recalled how Duckworth told the wounded veteran how he was lucky because the injuries were below the knee and he’ll be able to walk out of the hospital with the use of prosthetics.

This whole process that I witnessed, it makes you a little weepy when you’re right there and the guy’s family is sitting there and he’s in the bed thinking, ‘I don’t have a life ahead of me. I’m 35 years old, I’ve got kids, I have a wife, I have a family, I have a responsibility, what am I going to do?’” Letterman said. “(Duckworth) comes in and within 10 minutes, she changes his life back to the sunny side, if you can use that expression.

That’s the thing that I like about this affiliation is that awareness. You’re not alone. Maybe you’ll get the exoskeleton suit, maybe you won’t, but there’s a whole team of people who are looking out for you, a whole team of people who know about you and a whole team of people who are willing to contribute to help get you back on your feet.”

With today’s INDYCAR Grand Prix running 85 laps and the Indianapolis 500 set for 200 laps, the RLL drivers could add $38,500 to the Turns for Troops coffers this month. Donations from the public are also welcome at the Turns for Troops website, which promotes its cause as “Helping vets take their next steps forward. One lap at a time.”

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SoldierStrong to Donate State-of-the-Art Exoskeleton to the South Texas Veterans Health Care System

STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SoldierStrong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced medical technologies to veterans, today announced that it will be donating an EksoGT™ exoskeleton to the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The donation ceremony, which will include a patient demonstration, will take place at the center on Wednesday, January 10th at 10 a.m.

Since the nonprofit’s inception following the events of 9/11, SoldierStrong has now surpassed over $2.5 million worth of medical devices in donations that directly help injured veterans. This donation marks the organization’s 15th exoskeleton donation, and 12th exoskeleton donation to the VA system.

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to SoldierStrong for donating a robotic exoskeleton to the South Texas Veterans Health Care System’s Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center and Spinal Cord Injury Center,” said Dr. Blessen Eapen, Section Chief of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. “This technology gives our interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams the ability to deliver state-of-the art rehabilitative care for our nation’s Veterans and Service Members.”

The EksoGT, by Ekso Bionics®, is the first and only exoskeleton cleared by the FDA for use with stroke and spinal cord injuries from L5 to C7. The suit’s patented technology provides the ability to mobilize patients earlier, more frequently and with a greater number of high intensity steps.

“SoldierStrong is ecstatic to reach the milestone of providing over $2.5 million worth of cutting edge medical devices that directly benefit our country’s injured veterans,” said Chris Meek, co-founder and Chairman of SoldierStrong. “Being able to make this donation to the South Texas Veterans Health Care System at the start of the new year is particularly special, as we wish all of our country’s veterans and active service men and women a healthy 2018.”

About South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS)
South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas.  STVHCS serves one of the largest primary service areas in the nation and provides health care services for 96,000 unique Veterans.

The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (ALMMVH), named after the nation’s most decorated World War II hero, is a quaternary care facility, which is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA).  Comprehensive health care is provided through acute medical, surgical, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services.  Comprised of a Spinal Cord Injury Center, a Community Living Center, a Domiciliary, and a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP).  ALMMVH provides quaternary services including bone marrow transplantation, open-heart surgery, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography.  As a Level II Research facility ALMMVH has projects that include aging, cardiac surgery, cancer, diabetes and HIV.  The facility has one of three National Institutes of Health sponsored clinical research centers in the VA. In addition, the Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center (GRECC) is a “Center of Excellence.” For more information, visit http://www.southtexas.va.gov/about/index.asp.

About SoldierStrong
SoldierStrong, previously known as SoldierSocks, helps American patriots literally take their next steps forward. Through educational scholarships and by harnessing the most innovative technology in advanced rehabilitation, we help our returning service men and women to continue moving in the only direction they should know – forward. Nearly every dollar SoldierStrong receives goes towards direct support of American patriots so that they can re-acclimate to civilian life. Our organization works to remind those men and women who sacrificed so much that we are forever thankful.

SoldierStrong Announces 2017 SoldierScholar Recipients

New scholarship launched at Old Dominion University for a female veteran studying STEM

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SoldierStrong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced medical technologies to veterans, today announced its 2017 recipients of its SoldierScholar scholarship program. The scholarship program aims to help supplement the Post-9/11 GI Bill, by filling tuition gaps it may leave for select students. This year, a new SoldierScholar scholarship was launched at Old Dominion University for a female veteran studying STEM.

“Supporting our nation’s heroes take their next steps forward in life is an honor and we are proud to support our service members who have served and sacrificed for us,” said Chris Meek, co-founder and chairman of SoldierStrong. “To date, the SoldierScholar program has raised nearly $450,000, which has helped 13 men and women advance their education following their return from the battlefield.”

Endowed scholarships include Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University, and the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

A video accompanying this announcement:

“Though I knew I wanted to join the Navy, I had applied to attend ODU first, but finances were an issue,” said Navy veteran, Stephanie Primeaux. “The Navy not only helped better prepare me for college, both financially and academically, but it helped connect me to a great advisor who recognized my hard work and made me aware of opportunities like the SoldierStrong scholarship. I feel beyond honored to have been selected for this scholarship. It has given me the confidence and means to continue my education.”

This year’s recipients are:

  • Stephanie Primeaux, Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University

Navy Veteran Stephanie Primeaux, is a qualified nuclear electrician with 6 years of experience in the nuclear industry. Skilled in nuclear operations, maintenance, and management, she served as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate on the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, and more recently as a Facilities Manager at the Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic. While pursuing her degree, Stephanie is interning at NASA’s Langley Research Center as a Cost Analysis Intern in the Proposal Development Office.

Watch a video about Stephanie’s story here.

  • Mitchell “Mitch” Forbes, Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Candidate, Maxwell School, Syracuse University

Mitch Forbes joined the Army in 2012 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. The following year, his platoon was ambushed and Mitch was wounded by enemy small arms fire. He underwent dozens of surgical procedures while recovering at Walter Reed Military Medical Center at Bethesda, MD. After being medically retired, Mitch earned a BA in Policy Studies from Syracuse University, and is currently an EMPA candidate at Syracuse’s Maxwell School.

  • Christopher Tonsmeire, MA in International Relations (MAIR) Candidate, Maxwell School, Syracuse University

Chris Tonsmeire enlisted in the US Army Reserves as a Combat Engineer following his freshman year in college. Shortly after, the events of September 11th, 2001 changed his education plans. Chris received a conditional release to enter active duty as a Special Forces Recruit and served two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his second tour, he was wounded in action and was unable to remain an active member of Special Forces. In 2009, he separated from the military to continue his education. Chris has been awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service.

  • Mikel Rodriguez, Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) Program, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Navy Lieutenant Mikel Rodriguez has over 3 years of international experience including multiple deployments to Afghanistan. During his second duty in Afghanistan, a recoilless rifle round landed a few feet from him, causing significant damage to his back. Mikel underwent extensive spinal surgery, then continued his service following recovery. Mikel spent four years living in Spain, working closely with foreign partners in Europe and Africa as well as with the Department of State. Today, he is interested in learning about statecraft, international diplomacy and negotiation, with a goal to enter a career in foreign policy.

Read more about Mikel here.

To learn more about the SoldierScholar program and how to donate, visit https://www.soldierstrong.org/scholarship.

Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala to Join SoldierStrong Advisory Board

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SoldierStrong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced medical technologies to veterans, today announced the appointment of Donna Shalala, former Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), to its Advisory Board, effective immediately.

“We welcome Ms. Shalala to our Advisory Board. Her dedication to advocating for human interests and access to healthcare for all citizens will benefit our organization and the veteran we serve,” said Chris Meek, co-founder, and chairman of SoldierStrong.

Shalala served as Secretary of the HHS, whose mission is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans. This cabinet body fosters advances in medicine, public health, and social services. Following her eight years as the HHS Secretary, Ms. Shalala became president of the University of Miami and professor of Political Science. She also was chancellor at the University of Wisconsin and president of Hunter College in New York. In 2007, she co-chaired with Senator Bob Dole the Presidential Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.

“I am excited to join SoldierStrong’s advisory board, to help guide the organization’s strategy to engage and support our veteran community,” commented Shalala. “I share SoldierStrong’s passion for helping people gain knowledge and access to the care they need and look forward to sharing my insights.”

About SoldierStrong
SoldierStrong, previously known as SoldierSocks, helps American patriots literally take their new steps forward. Through educational scholarships and by harnessing the most innovative technology in advanced rehabilitation, we help our returning service men and women to continue moving in the only direction they should know – forward. Nearly every dollar SoldierStrong receives goes towards direct support of American patriots so that they can re-acclimate to civilian life. Our organization works to remind those men and women who sacrificed so much that we are forever thankful.