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Dan Rose: Hope, Inspired

A member of the Army Reserves for a decade, Dan Rose was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device in 2011 while in Afghanistan. The blast was estimated to have come from approximately 1,000 pounds of explosive and him left paralyzed from the chest down.

However, after getting access to advanced medical technology, Dan Rose remains active, regularly downhill skiing and wheelchair racing. He also plays sled hockey, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair football. He enjoys hand cycling, mountain biking, and he has recently picked up riding a longboard skateboard from his chair. Dan’s always enjoyed living an active lifestyle, and thanks to SoldierStrong, that hasn’t changed since his injury.

“I had given up on walking and thought of it as a pipe dream, so to be able to stand on my own two feet and walk across a room was a very emotional experience. The first time I stood up (I realized) I’d forgotten what it was like to be eye level with everyone. It was like standing on top of a mountain.”

Matt Ross: SoldierStrong’s Missions = Real Life-Changing Impact

When veteran Matt Ross (Ret. Army) suffered a devastating spinal injury while working on his farm, doctors said he was lucky to be alive. They also said he’d never walk again. But, with his daughter getting married the next year, Matt had different plans: He was going walking his daughter down the aisle. And, thanks to SoldierStrong and Matt’s unflinching drive, that plan became a reality.

“If that Ekso hadn’t of pushed me forward…I probably wouldn’t be at the point I’m at now. I don’t think that I would have progressed that fast.

You get all your freedom back again. Instead of being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life … You can stand up. You can walk. You can do the things that you used to be able to do.

After my accident, the first time I stood up … the rush you got, the feeling you got, there’s just no explanation for it.”

JORDAN ROBINSON

Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Robinson served in the Marine Corps from 2008­‐2014 where she was a Marine Security Guard Staff Sergeant (E6) at American embassies in Mozambique, Austria, and Cuba. Her primary work involved the protection of classified material vital to national security. Prior to that Robinson was a satellite communications technician, responsible for the repair and maintenance of equipment in direct support of OEF and OIF. During her service, Robinson received numerous accolades to include Non‐Commissioned Officer of the Quarter for Communications Squadron 38 as well as promoted to Assistant Detachment Commander of the Marines in Vienna, Austria.

Robinson most recently served as the Student Veterans Organization President and was responsible for the progress and oversight of the organization through initiatives designed to inform, inspire, and integrate both veterans and military dependents. During her tenure as president, some of her accomplishments include organizing the Student Veterans Ball as well as serving as emcee in the Veterans Day ceremony at Hendricks Chapel.

Robinson is currently a student at Syracuse University pursing her graduate degree in Public Diplomacy: a dual masters program in both international relations and public relations through the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Her dream is to become a Foreign Service Officer in the Department of State serving at embassies across the globe.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que raises $20,000 for SoldierStrong during Sauce for a Cause

dinoSoldierStrong was happy to partner with Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for a limited-time charity offering called ‘Sauce for a Cause.’ Beginning Friday, May 27th and running through June, all proceeds from purchases of the co-branded Sensuous Slathering BBQ Sauce went to SoldierStrong, which the organization will use towards the purchase of cutting-edge medical technologies to benefit injured veterans.

“This Memorial Day, we are proud to honor our service men and women as well as kick off the summer barbeque season with a worthy cause,” said Chris Meek, co-founder and Chairman of SoldierStrong. “We are happy to partner with Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on this exciting opportunity.”

The Sensuous Slathering BBQ Sauce sold for $5.95 and will be available for purchase in all 10 Dinosaur Bar-B-Que store locations as well as online Dino Store and SoldierStrong’s website.

About Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

After years of cooking on the road for motorcycle shows, fairs, and festivals up and down the East Coast, Pit Master John Stage founded Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse, New York in 1988. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation far and wide for serving some of the best BBQ in the country, along with a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Today, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que continues to be a recognized leader in the world of barbecue restaurants with a brand that currently includes ten locations (Rochester, NY – 1994; Harlem, NY – 2004; Troy, NY – 2010; Newark, NJ – 2012; Stamford, CT – 2012; Brooklyn, NY – 2013; Buffalo, NY – 2014; Chicago, IL – 2015; Baltimore, MD – 2015). For more information about Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, please visit www.dinosaurbarbque.com.

SoldierStrong is proud to support the Run to Home base event

SoldierStrong continued its multiyear partnership with the Boston Red Sox and their Run to Home Base event which culminates in runners finishing the race across Fenway’s home plate. The event benefits veterans by providing clinical care to them and their families. Additionally roughly 600-800 care packages are created during the event to be sent to troops abroad.

SoldierStrong is proud to support the Run to Home base event each year, providing its resources and manpower collecting and later shipping the hundreds of a care packages created during the morning event. “While our mission has shifted from collecting and sending care packages to focusing on the needs of returning veterans, we still maintain our Airforce partnerships for delivery and are always happy to help veterans where we can” says SoldierStrong Executive Director, Marc Morgenthaler.