When running in marathons, many listen to music, focus on the finish line or get lost in thought. Dr. Harry Laver, professor of military history, spent one of his most recent marathons coming up with a way to help support some of America’s bravest men women.
“You do a lot of thinking; there’s nothing else to do,” said Laver, referencing a half marathon he participated in during early December.  “A mile along the way, I thought I could probably get some friends to pledge some money to help raise a little cash for the Wounded Warrior Project.”
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is an organization striving “to honor and empower wounded warriors.”  This organization focuses on men and women who have obtained injuries or illness on or after September 11, 2001, through the service in Iraq or Afghanistan.  It also focuses on serving the family members of wounded soldiers.
Laver asked his friends and colleagues to pledge an amount for every mile he ran for the Louisiana Half Marathon, which took place Jan. 20 in Baton Rouge.  He decided to take this initiative on his own and to send any money made to WWP afterwards.  Although there is no exact figure, a rough estimate of what Laver has collected for WWP is around $1,700.
“I know a lot of people who have gone and who have come back [to war], and so it’s sort of always there in my mind,” said Laver.  “The Wounded Warrior Project helps fill that gap of funding for veterans, especially wounded veterans, and their families, who are often left out.  Funding has not been where I think we as a nation would want it to be.”
WWP extends help and encouragement as warriors fall back into the normality of life.  This help varies in many ways so no matter the wound, visible or invisible, one can be reached.  
“Specifically, they try to get veterans and wounded veterans helping other wounded veterans,” said Laver.  “Wounded Warriors also does help veterans not just with physical wounds but psychological as well.  So they’re not just targeting one element of those who have been wounded.  They’re sort of all-encompassing.”
Laver expressed his faith that WWP is a successful organization.  Further, he spoke of the hand most not only can but also should play in organizations like WWP.  According to Laver, it is one of our duties as a nation to care for veterans and families.
“We’re just not doing it as a nation as much as we should,” said Laver on the subject.  “With the way that these two wars have been fought, with it being an all-volunteer force, we have seen the same men and women going, one time, two times, three times, while all the rest of us, if we’re all honest with ourselves, have conducted our lives as if there’s been no war going on whatsoever.  And so these same men and women have repeatedly fulfilled their duties as citizens, and many of us, in that respect, haven’t.  And so we have a significant responsibility to them.”
Laver explained how if one pledged one dollar for every mile he ran then that person would have given thirteen dollars to the cause, a figure often spent on pizza or coffee.  Many students and faculty have the means to give back to warriors, whether through donations or other means such as writing letters.  
More information about WWP or how to help can be found at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.