Defense Department Launches 'Wounded Warrior Diaries'

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

Nov. 19, 2008 - Defense Department officials today launched the "Wounded Warrior Diaries," a multimedia Web tribute in which American servicemembers wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. Located at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2008/0908_wwd/index.html, the Wounded Warrior Diaries feature videos of servicemembers relaying their stories in their own words. The videos are accompanied by a written account of their experiences. The site launched with four diaries, and a new diary will be added each month.

"The diaries are intended to be sources of strength, encouragement and reassurance for other wounded troops and their families," Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brook DeWalt, DoD's director of new media, said. "They illustrate the ultimate triumph over injury – returning to full and active lives through hard work and the support of loved ones, the community and the military family."

In addition, the process of creating the diaries is meant to be therapeutic for the servicemembers, DeWalt said, noting that in some cases, their spouses and children take part in the interviews. "Finally," he added, "the diaries are created to honor the service, sacrifice, courage and determination of all who voluntarily serve in harm's way."

The Wounded Warrior Diaries' launch in November is part of DoD's Warrior Care Month.

(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)