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It is a great honor
for Hope For The Warriors™ to grant wishes to severely
injured service members in an effort to restore hope in the eye of
a hero. To have an experience above and beyond their immediate
needs. While disabilities are not a barrier in life, they can
create some monumental hurdles. Priorities change and sometimes
the small important wishes for life must be set aside. Beyond
meeting immediate physical and emotional needs, a Warrior's Wish™
fulfills a desire for quality of life beyond recovery and a quest
for life gratifying endeavors. Whether realizing a dream to go
hunting, ride a bike again or own a home adapted to their
specialized needs, it is the mission of Hope For The Warriors™ to
see that Wounded Warriors and their families are actively engaged.
Consideration of Wish Requests
A Warrior’s Wish™ is not a direct grant intended to pay off bills or purchase or pay off automobiles. Rather it is a gift
intended to empower and allow the service member to find enjoyment and satisfaction in life beyond recovery.
Wish requests which do not fall into the categories of debt reduction, bill or automobile payoffs, or firearms of any kind and
do not compromise moral and ethical standards of behavior as defined by the Board of Directors.
Minimum Eligibility Requirement
For consideration, A Warrior’s Wish™ applicants must be US military service members who were wounded or injured in
combat between 2001 and the present and must be considered severely injured defined in a manner consistent with the
Department of Defense: loss of limb, sight, hearing, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Chord Injury, and Severe Burns.
Applicants may also be considered if activities of daily living are significantly impacted by injury.
To apply for A Warrior's Wish™, please download the
WISH PACKET and
fill it out in its entirety.
Please note that a "Wish" application will not be reviewed until
all of the required documentation has been received.
A financial and medical review process will be followed in the
granting of each and every wish.
For more information about our Warrior's Wish™ program or to
request a wish, please send an email to:
thewish@hopeforthewarriors.org
Corporal Ronnie Porta, USMC
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On May 5, 2007, the world changed for Ronnie when his humvee hit a roadside IED--a blast that killed two Marines instantly and
severely burned Ronnie. Though his family was rushed to his bedside in Germany to say goodbye, Ronnie beat the odds. His prognosis
was devastating: 3rd, 4th and 5th degree burns over 35% of his total body surface area and subsequent right arm amputation, facial
disfigurement with the loss of his nose, damage to ears and eye sockets, and loss of fingers on his left hand.
Corporal Shane Parsons, USA
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U.S. Army Cpl Shane Parsons was wounded during an Iraq mission Sept. 30, 2006 when his humvee rolled over a road side bomb.
He died twice before reaching the Combat Support Hospital.
SGT Ashley Craft, USMC
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Marine Corps Sergeant suffered multiple physical injuries (shattered elbow, fractured hip, head injury, eye injuries) and
suffers from severe PTSD. In his Doctor's words he is a 65 yr old in a 24 yr olds body and is most likely unable to work a
traditional job again. Wish is for short haired, full bred German Sheppard puppies to provide companionship and to breed.
Breeding the dogs will help him feel as if his life has a purpose again.
SSG. Terry Saffron, USA
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We are the Saffron family. On May 5, 2004 an IED blast ripped through my husband vehicle killing his two young soldiers and
wounding him severely. He was not reunited with his family until May 15, 2004. Since that time the long range scope of his
injuries are that he had his lower right mandible removed and he lost most of the muscle tissue in his upper right arm which
includes the bicep, triceps and his deltoid had to be tacked down. He has an 8” bar held with screws permanently in his arm
since there is no muscle to strengthen it and he had over 4 inches of bone shattered and removed then new bone grafted in.
SPC Justin Lynn, USA
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On March 11, 2007 my life was changed forever. I was hit by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq which resulted
in the amputation of my right leg below the knee. I have spent the past 8 months learning how how to walk and the complete
the day to day activities which I face. Prior to my injury golf was a big part of my life.
On the night Justin came home with the news of your organization granting his "golf wish", his eyes had hope again.
It seemed as if his soul was coming back to life. Your gift has given our son his father back again! From a wife and
mothers heart, I will personally be forever grateful to your generosity! Thank you for granting him this wish. It goes
deeper than just golf clubs!
SPC. Peter Richert, USA
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The IED blast caused me to have an above the knee amputation. I also sustained shrapnel to my left leg, left hand,
and face. The severity of the shrapnel wounds to my left leg left me needing a fasciotomy. While being cared for in Iraq,
the medical staff punctured my lung by attempting to put in a central IV line by my left collar bone.
LCpl Colin Smith, USMC
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On Oct. 30, 2006, Lance Cpl. Colin Smith was a USMC machine gunner in his vehicle’s
turret when he was shot through the skull by a a single shot just as the Marines were leaving a
rural settlement on the western edge of Karma, a city near Falluja in Anbar Province. “Every time before we go out, we say a prayer,”
said a fellow Marine. “It is a prayer for serenity. It says a lot about things that do pertain to us in this kind of environment.”
A little over a year later his story is a miracle and one to learn from...
Daniel Acosta, US Airforce
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I looked back at my security team member and told him to get back on the road because he was
too close to me, if something happens you don't need to get hurt. That was the last thing I remember, the date was December 7, 2005. An
IED meant for a vehicle went off 20 ft. to my left side.
The injuries I sustained were a traumatic left arm amputation, 18% third degree burns to both legs,
damage to right femoral artery, shrapnel damage to abdomen, and severe blood loss.
Please assist me and my family making our dreams become a true reality, any support given would be greatly
appreciated and will take me and my family to another level in life.
SGT John Botts, USA
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My name is SGT John A. Botts, and I am a wounded soldier from Operaion Iraqi Freedom. I am a left above knee amputee,
and an avid golfer. I heard about your organization from a fellow amputee, and would like to apply for a new set of golf
clubs. Golf to me has been a good rehabilitation activity; I played a lot before my injury and am continuing to play.
I think it is important for wounded soldiers to stay active in sports because it lets us feel that we are still normal and
can still participate in the activities that we have always been a part of, so I would benefit and greatly appreciate a new
set of clubs. Thank you!
PFC Adam Putt
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Thank you for considering me for the Warrior's Wish, it means a lot to me that there are so many
people and organizations willing to help out all of wounded solders.
Paula Zwillinger - A Mother's Wish
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Topping Paula Zwillinger’s Christmas list this year isn’t something
neither friends nor family can buy at the local department store. You won’t find it displayed among
the pages of holiday catalogues crammed in neighborhood mailboxes. It won’t be packaged in a neat
box with a shiny red ribbon. Paula’s gift this holiday will be arriving special delivery, tied up
with heartstrings.
This Christmas, Paula Zwillinger is asking to meet with the staff of a Combat Support Hospital
unit (CSH) and thank them for the courageous work they do day in and day out. You see Paula’s son,
Lcpl Robert Mininger, 21, was deployed to Iraq and served there 6 months when he was killed by an IED.
Her son spent his final minutes in a Baghdad CSH. By making this trip she hopes to not only thank
those at the Combat Support Hospital but also spend time with the wounded who are in those hospitals
and far from home during the holidays.
Lance Corporal Ronny Porta, USMC
In May 2007, LCpl. Porta
was wounded in Iraq. He lost his right arm and suffered burns over
45% of his body. During the incident 2 other Marines/Comrades lost
their lives. It was LCpl. Porta's wish to meet the families of the
Marines who were killed. In September, Hope For The WarriorsT will
fly these family members to San Antonio Texas to meet LCpl. Porta
and his family. His is an amazing story of courage and strength
and will hopefully provide some peace and closure to the family of
these heroes.
2nd Lieutenant Andrew Kinard , USMC
An Oct. 29 bomb blast in Iraq cost
Andrew, a second lieutenant, the use of his legs and caused him
several other internal and external injuries -- including the loss
of 100 percent of his hearing in his right ear and 45 percent of
his hearing in his left.
On Sunday, April 1, 2007, 2ndLt. Andrew Kinard returned to Camp
Lejeune. His stay is a story worth reading, please read more to
hear how Andrew Kinard got his wish.
Corporal Visnu Gonzalez, USMC
On April 21st, 2004,
while serving in Iraq, Corporal Visnu Gonzalez was shot by a
sniper, severing his spinal cord in the C-6, C-7 level. He also
received a shot to his left subclavian artery that caused severe
bleeding and near death. Despite surgery to stabilize his
vertebra, today, Cpl. Gonzalez remains paralyzed from the upper
chest down. In recent months it has become evident that the
Dominican Republic can not adequately support his medical needs
nor access to his VA benefits that would allow him to return to
school. A Warrior's Wish™ was requested to assist Cpl. Gonzalez and
his family in relocating from the Dominican Republic to the New
Jersey area where their needs can be better met.
Corporal Chris Santiago, USMC
Chris Santiago is a 22
year-old from West Virginia and a proud Marine. On Sept. 16, Cpl.
Chris Santiago stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).
Since that day he has endured more than 15 surgeries, including
the amputation of both of his legs below the knees. He lost two
fingers on his left hand, and he's anticipating more surgeries to
help repair other injuries to his left arm.
Sergeant Shurvon J. Phillip, USMC
On May 7, 2005, while on maneuvers and
patrol in Al Anbar Iraq, the humvee that SGT Phillip was riding in
was struck by an improvised explosive device. SGT Phillip suffered
a multitude of critical injuries in the explosion, including
traumatic brain injury. He now zealously fights the daily
challenges of complete paralysis and the inability to control
bodily functions.
Presently the Phillips are residing in a small apartment,
completely inadequate for the care that is needed. Hope For The
WarriorsT, in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, has
pledged to raise $100,000 as a down payment for a house that will
sufficiently meet the space requirements for the equipment needed
to sustain his life as well as provide a sanctuary for a Marine
who refuses to give up.
Sergeant Eddie Ryan, USMC
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Sergeant Eddie Ryan, USMC was shot twice in his head while serving in Iraq. It has been a long 2 1/2 years but with thousands of
prayers and the strength befitting a Marine and his family, Sergeant Eddie Ryan is now at home with his family. A request was made
to Hope For The Warriors™ to find a specialized wheelchair for Eddie. An opportunity for him to spend more time outside and
even in the woods, maybe go hunting again.
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