Warrior Care Month
Established by former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in November 2008, the Department of Defense has designated November as Warrior Care Month. The goal of Warrior Care Month is to increase awareness of the resources available to wounded, ill, and injured service members, as well as their family members and caretakers.
The theme of Warrior Care Month 2017 is Show of Strength, which was chosen to, "...[recognize] the mental and physical resilience consistently demonstrated by our wounded, ill, and injured service members, as well as [to acknowledge] the critical support provided by families and caregivers," said James Rodriguez, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Warrior Care Policy. Today, nearly a decade later, Secretary of Defense Mattis said there is "no higher priority for this Department than caring for those who have sacrificed so much."
To mark Warrior Care Month, the Department of Defense will be sponsoring numerous activities and events throughout November to, "increase awareness of the significant achievements and milestones that often occur during the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration or transition process." Activities and events will include a sitting volleyball tournament, a wheelchair rugby exhibition, a healing arts recognition event, and a Facebook "town hall" meeting.
