Road to Recovery
**Keep checking in here for updates on the Road to Recovery Conference & Tribute in 2010**
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About Road to Recovery:
Imagine finding all the advice, encouragement, and support in one place. That’s what the “Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute” is all about.
We sponsor an annual, all-expense-paid educational and service event to provide wounded soldiers, their families and caregivers with one source of information regarding benefits, services, counseling, insurance, healthcare, financial support, career counseling and employment opportunities. At past conferences, artists such as Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack and Gary Sinise have surprised attendees with special, exclusive concerts just for them.
The Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute is truly the first step in their recovery.
2008 Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute
The 5th Annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute was held December 7 to 11, 2008 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, in Orlando, FL. More than 150 severely injured troops attended and were treated to a life-changing experience. These heroes were able to spend some time with their families at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. They were lifted up by motivational speakers Dave Roever and Dana Bowman and attended informational sessions on financial planning, entrepreneurship, career development, and strengthening relationships strained by the health concerns and financial pressures these heroes and their families confront every day. The heroes, and many spouses, attended resume writing workshops and networked at the career fair with private companies, including conference sponsors General Motors, Northrop Grumman, T-Mobile and military agencies looking to hire wounded veterans.
American Airlines, the official airline of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, flew wounded troops and family members, totaling more than 140, on its Yellow Ribbon Express from San Antonio to Orlando. More than 1,000 “greeters” welcomed with deafening cheers all of the families as they arrived at Orlando International Airport on December 7th from all across the United States for the conference. The heroes learned how to ski and snowboard, rock climb and use adapted bicycles.
Renowned actor/director Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band, rising Country music star Stephen Cochran, inspirational rapper Don Preach, exciting performance artist Dan Dunn and VandelSnook Band entertained and paid tribute to the wounded troops and their families. Perhaps most importantly, the troops were able to connect and bond with each other. By the end of the event, these brave patriots headed for home rested, refreshed and armed with the information and tools to regain control of their lives, knowing that they are not alone as they continue along their respective "roads to recovery".
Read about past Road to Recovery Conferences here.
"The Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute is a great example of how the private, public and government sectors can work together to help severely wounded troops and their families. We are grateful to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Defense, government service organizations and other groups who are working with us to put this event together. This is the only place where these families are under the same roof with all these organizations and given the chance to ask questions, address issues and learn about resources available." - Donny Daughenbaugh, National Spokesman, Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
CBS Reporter Steve Hartman paid a visit to Camp C.O.P.E. at the 2007 event, and shared his experiences with Katie Couric on CBS Evening News.
Click here to see NBC Nightly News' coverage of the 2006 event.