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[Video] FOX News – America’s Newsroom: Martha MacCallum accepts award from SoldierStrong

FOX News – America’s Newsroom: Martha MacCallum accepts award from SoldierStrong

Martha Maccallum accepts award from SoldierStrong (then SoldierSocks)

On December 8, 2014, SoldierStrong held its second annual event and inaugural Awards Ceremony at the Union League Club of New York. At the event, the organization donated an Ekso Suit to the James J. Peters VA Medical Center located in the Bronx, NY. SoldierStrong also announced it had selected Cambridge, MA-based Myomo, a supplier of myoelectric orthotics, as its provider of arm braces to donate to veterans with paralysis in their arms due to TBI and other causes.

SoldierStrong also awarded its 2014 Commitment to Service Award to FOX News anchor Martha MacCallum and the 2014 Corporate Leadership Award to Stamford, CT-based United Rentals, Inc. The awards were in acknowledgment of both Ms. MacCallum’s and United Rentals’ continuing support of helping returning veterans tackle the challenges they face here at home.

Learn more about SoldierStrong and how you can help our mission here.

Dan Rose to be featured on WWE SmackDown

Dan Rose to be featured on WWE SmackDown

Dan Rose was in the Army Reserves for 10 years and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Zahri District and Horn of Panjiwae in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan until he was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device on April 27, 2011. The blast was estimated to have come from approximately 1,000 lbs. of explosives and he was left paralyzed from the chest down. Dan teamed up with SoldierStrong, who provided him with the Ekso Bionics GT™ robotic exoskeleton, which enables individuals with any amount of lower extremity weakness or paralysis to stand up and walk.

“The first time I stood up and looked across the room, it was like reaching the summit of a mountain and looking down on the world,” SGT Rose says. “I’m so grateful for my partnership with SoldierStrong and as a WWE fan, I’m looking forward to sharing my story at SmackDown.”

SoldierStrong co-founder Chris Meek speaks to the importance of raising awareness for wounded veterans.

“Every day, members of the military put their lives on the line to help protect our country,” SoldierStrong co-founder Chris Meek says. “When they return home, they are faced with the challenges of re-acclimating to civilian life. Additionally, some have been critically wounded or paralyzed in the line of duty. We are honored to be raising awareness with partners such as WWE to help wounded veterans stand strong in the face of adversity.”

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon is excited to have Sergeant Rose at SmackDown.

“WWE has a longstanding commitment to the military and we are extremely grateful for the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes,” McMahon says. “We are proud to host Sergeant Rose as our special guest at SmackDown and humbled by his perseverance and will to push through any obstacle that he faces.”

Ekso Bionics designs, develops and commercializes exoskeletons, or wearable robots, which have a variety of applications in the medical, military, industrial, and consumer markets. Exoskeletons are ready-to-wear, battery-powered robots that are strapped over the user’s clothing, enabling individuals to achieve mobility, strength, and endurance not otherwise possible. Ekso has redefined rehabilitation for people living with the consequences of stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions affecting gait.

With nearly 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, behind only WWE’s other flagship program, Monday Night Raw. Averaging 3.1 million viewers each week, SmackDown beats all Friday primetime viewing on any cable network.

SoldierStrong was founded in 2009 to provide basic necessities such as baby wipes, socks and sunscreen to American soldiers fighting for our country in the trenches of Afghanistan and Iraq. As more of our soldiers return home to the U.S., SoldierStrong continues to assist our nation’s heroes in re-acclimating to civilian life by offering scholarships for colleges and trade schools and offering paralyzed soldiers an opportunity to gain mobility outside of a wheelchair.

SoldierStrong and Airpower Foundation donate robotic exoskeleton to VA North Texas Health Care System

SoldierStrong and Airpower Foundation donate robotic exoskeleton to VA North Texas Health Care System

 

SoldierStrong, a non-profit foundation focused on helping veterans, announced today that the VA North Texas Health Care System is the next recipient of an Ekso Bionics™ suit (OTCQB:  EKSO).  The Ekso GT™ will help injured veterans walk again at the Dallas VA Medical Center, Spinal Cord Injury Center (SCI), which serves over 900 Veterans with spinal cord injury/disorder including 200 patients with multiple sclerosis in the southwest region. They will accept the suit in a donation ceremony in a prelude to Sky Ball festivities, on October 24, 2014 at 11:30 am in the Gallery room at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving TX 75063. A special appearance will be made from SoldierStrong’ first Ekso recipient, veteran Dan Rose, who will walk in an Ekso device with veteran Gary Linfoot, who also received an Ekso suit in part from Airpower last year.  Additional attendees of note include Jim Palmersheim of American Airlines, Roman Palomares of Airpower Foundation and on hand to accept the donation will be Mr. Jeff Milligan, Director, VA North Texas Health Care System.

“Every day, members of the military put their lives on the line to help protect our country,” says SoldierStrong co-founder Chris Meek. “When they return home, they are faced with the challenges of re-acclimating to civilian life. Additionally, some have been critically wounded or paralyzed in the line of duty. We are honored to be giving this suit to the Dallas VA which serves a large number of Veterans. The Southwest is a new region for us to break into and we plan to continue the progress made today to help our veterans take their next steps on American soil using Ekso Bionics technology.”

“The Airpower Foundation is excited about the partnership with SoldierStrong and the benefit that it will bring to our Veterans in the Southwest Region. This gift to the Dallas VA Hospital will help many deserving Veterans that do not have the financial means to include the use of an Ekso device as part of their care. We look forward to working with SoldierStrong as we expand this great partnership in the Southwest,” adds Roman Palomares of Airpower Foundation.

“VA North Texas is excited to accept this cutting-edge technology donation which will help disabled Veterans, especially those with Spinal Cord related injuries and disease.  We look forward to incorporating this new technology into our rehabilitative programs,” said Jeff Milligan, Director, VA North Texas HCS.

Adds Ekso Bionics co-founder and chief executive officer Nate Harding; “given the growing support we are able to provide the US military for able-bodied exoskeleton applications, including US SOCOM’s TALOS program, being able to work with SoldierStrong to help injured veterans rehabilitate is incredibly satisfying. The work that Chris Meek is doing on behalf of SoldierStrong is impressive and we are glad to be part of it.”

 

Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks joins SoldierStrong advisory board

Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks joins SoldierStrong advisory board

 

Not-for-profit SoldierStrong announced today that Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks, Senior Vice President, Henry A. Kissinger Chair, and Director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies has joined its Advisory Board.

The SoldierStrong Advisory Board provides counsel on ways to better serve and assist members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In addition to Dr. Hicks, the Advisory Board is comprised of Former United States Senator Joseph Lieberman, Philanthropist John Linnartz, Former CEO Linda McMahon, Colonel Bill Smullen, Special Advisor to former Joint Chief of Staffs and Secretary of State General Colin Powell, and Retired Vice Admiral Bob Murrett.

“I am honored to be a part of such an important organization that is working hard to provide support and aid to our nation’s heroes abroad and at home,” said Dr. Hicks. “I applaud SoldierStrong for recognizing the needs of our service men and women and helping them take their next steps forward.”

“We are delighted to have Dr. Hicks lend her guidance and expertise to our organization,” said SoldierStrong Founder, Chris Meek. “Her outstanding achievements and recognition will make her an invaluable part of our Advisory Board and help SoldierStrong achieve our mission and further our success in assisting members of our Armed Forces.”

During her prestigious career, Dr. Hicks served as a senior official in the Department of Defense. She has received numerous recognitions for her service in the Department of Defense (DOD), including distinguished awards from Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, and Robert Gates and from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and the 2011 DOD Senior Professional Women’s Association Excellence in Leadership Award. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.A. from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Affairs, and an A.B. magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Mount Holyoke College. She previously served as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Institute of Peace and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Truman National Security Project. Dr. Hicks is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an adjunct with the RAND Corporation