The Wounded Warrior Project has given $45,000 to Able Flight to expand the opportunities for injured service members to receive free flight training and scholarships to help with aviation careers, the groups announced this week. “This grant gives Able Flight the resources to offer five new scholarships for wounded veterans,” said Charles Stites, executive director of Able Flight. “We look forward to making it possible for them to become pilots or train for a variety of careers in aviation.” Veterans wounded in service since 9/11 can apply for a scholarship at the Able Flight Web site. Applications are now being accepted and reviewed, and the scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis, the group said.
The Wounded Warrior Project’s grant program, now in its second year, works with nonprofit organizations that provide injured service members with unique, specialized programs and services. The grant program has provided support to more than 70 organizations nationwide. Able Flight said more than 50,000 servicemen and women have been physically injured in recent military conflicts, another 320,000 have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment, and as many as 400,000 additional service members suffer from combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
