This is a big week for the AW2 Program! AW2 has brought together more than 70 severely wounded Soldiers, Family members and caregivers from around the country for the fourth annual AW2 Symposium in Indianapolis. Based on their personal experiences, wounded Soldiers and Family members will engage in a week of intensive focus group discussions and select the top five issues in soldier care, to be presented to Army leadership. You can learn more about the Symposium process through daily updates on the AW2 Blog. Below is a welcome letter given to all AW2 Symposium participants.

Welcome to the fourth Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Symposium—“I AM AW2.” On behalf of the Army Wounded Warrior Program, I would like to thank you for being here and for sharing our commitment to improving the care of wounded, injured and ill Soldiers and their Families. Your personal insights, experiences and feedback are viral in the Symposium process and are helping us to make a real difference for Soldiers and Families. Your personal insights, experiences and feedback are vital in the Symposium process and are helping us to make a real difference for Soldiers and Families.

The AW2 Program hosts symposiums as part of the Army’s mission to improve care for wounded Soldiers, based on the needs and input wounded Soldiers and Families, Issues and recommendations from previous AW2 Symposiums have contributed to positive change, such as the creation and design of the Army’s new Warrior Transition Units (WTU) and Soldier Family Assistance Centers (SFAC). Additionally, AW2 Symposium recommendations contributed to legislation changing the maximum amount of the VA housing accommodations to benefit wounded Soldiers.

Each of you has a unique and valuable perspective that will contribute to future advances in wounded warrior care. I encourage you to freely share your thoughts and ideas during this Symposium. Your voice is important to us and I assure you that every single idea will receive full consideration. You are AW2!

Welcome to Indianapolis and I look forward to meeting you during the next several days.

Respectfully,

JIM RICE

Colonel, U.S. Army

Director, U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program