Wounded Warrior Project's Impact

Melissa Krabbe never gave much thought to what it would mean to be a military spouse. With few military ties in her family, it wasn't on her radar. When she met Phil Krabbe, the notion of military life seemed distant. Eventually, they married, had a child, and settled into a comfortable, day-to-day routine.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Long Lead won the National Press Foundation’s inaugural Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) Award for Excellence in Coverage of Veterans. The award celebrates outstanding reporting on the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of veterans. WWP partnered with NPF to create the award to inspire high-quality journalism about the needs of those who served.

Challenge coins are small medallions that represent an achievement, membership, or affiliation to a specific group. In the military and veteran community, they often symbolize a special event or mission, anniversary, meeting with a leader, or affiliation with a unit. According to the Department of Defense, challenge coins have been an American tradition for a century.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have emerged as signature wounds of America's longest war, affecting thousands of post-9/11 veterans. As this population ages, experts say their care needs are becoming increasingly complex.

When the cold air rolls in and the days grow shorter, it’s easy to feel slightly off. For some, this shift signals the onset of the winter blues, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Brought on by the darker days of the season, this condition causes increased feelings of sadness and depression.