Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange (With Gun Talk Radio)

Facebook, Gun Talk ^ | 13NOV12 | Tom Gresham

[Marie]

Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange
by Gun Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 9:56am ·

After Sunday's show, we've gotten many emails about Tom's remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it's a firearms-related show. We've also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I'm going to lay it all out right here.

We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran's Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has had a booth at trade shows and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn't make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take.

-Sarah

The following is the complete email exchange:

====================

Hello, Leslie:

Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the Wounded Warriors Project to join me on "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show.

I'm stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn't participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.

Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are "related to firearms?"

I'm hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?

Thank you.

Tom Gresham

============

Good afternoon --

While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.

Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx

WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.

Thank you for your inquiry.

LESLIE A. COLEMAN

public relations director

O: 904.405.1433

M: 904.654.8138

F: 904.296.7347

Wounded Warrior Project

4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

====================

Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations your way.

I'll pass along the info that you don't want or need the help of America's gun owners.

Best regards,

Tom Gresham

=====================

Good morning --

This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.

Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.

Thank you.

LESLIE A. COLEMAN

public relations director

=============================

Hello, Leslie:

Thank you for that explanation.

I do think -- and I'm being as kind as possible -- that it's the nuttiest thing I've heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.

This explanation doesn't pass even the most simple "does this make sense" test.

Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.

It's certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.

At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.

I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.

Sincerely,
Tom Gresham

[Marie]

So here's where this makes NO SENSE:

"Leslie" claims that WWP does not "WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies."

Alright then why did they have a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion on May 16, 2009? Would that not be sexual in nature?

http://www.grandengagementsblog.com/2009/03/wwp-wounded-warriors-project-at-playboy.html

Alcohol? Then why, on June 23rd of THIS year, did WWP kick off the 2nd Annual Knoxville Brewfest with a 5K run?

http://beardenbeermarket.com/home/2012/6/6/bbm-kbf-the-wounded-warrior-project-join-forces.html

Co-branding with gunmakers? How about this Citadel M1911 that is actually BRANDED with the WWP logo as a promotion to raise funds for WWP?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2oMej9GZtI

Are these the new policies of WWP, or is "Leslie" off her rocker?

WWP needs to clarify their positions on these matters. And they need to do it now. Already hundreds are pulling their donations and it's only going to get worse as the bad press marches on.

I'm giving them a week to get it together before I transfer my monthly donation to another organization.

I find it insulting to our vets to paint them as suicidal drunks.

[Marie]

Here’s some ‘clarification’ from WWP.

http://www.examiner.com/article/wounded-warrior-redux-wwp-now-clarifying-our-approach

Apparently, this IS their new policy and their ‘clarification’ is clear as mud.

[Marie]

So I guess we won’t be able to buy our WWP beer stein for much longer.

http://www.cafepress.com/+wounded_warroir_project_stein,686697890

Y’know. Because of all those drunk, suicidal veterans.

[US Navy Vet]

LESLIE A. COLEMAN

public relations director

SO the WWP “Thinks” they “Need” a “Public Relations BITCH huh. SWIVE THEM. NOT ANOTHER DIME!

[Christie at the beach]

Organizations should have the right to go where they want to go. I have to read more into this entire story. I will not say anything bad against the wounded warriors because I know many of them in case this effects them emotionally. People (not you) should be careful how they turn invitations down so stuff like this does not happen. I hope they work this out. The vets do not need any of this.

[Truth2012]

How weird!!! I was almost going to donate to their recent drive, to fund a house for a vet. While I think it is a great idea, a little voice told me to hold my donation.

This was just the day before this story broke.

Interesting.

[Smokin' Joe]

I find it insulting to our vets to paint them as suicidal drunks.

You and me both!

While there are people who have problems, that isn't limited by any means to veterans, but the idea that vets somehow are at a disadvantage when it comes to handling either alcohol or firearms is not doing anyone any favors.

Sadly, I will be diverting funds which would have gone to WWP to other veterans organizations without such an apparent cranio-rectal insertion, at least until the issue is straightened out. Our guys (and gals) don't need to be branded this way.

(What a stupidly missed opportunity to raise funds for the organization!)

[Irenic]

I am to the point that I think most all *charities* skim too much of the top and many are even a scam.

I am to the point I would rather give directly to the person and cut out the middle man.

I don’t know why there can’t be a list of veterans in need and people can ‘adopt’ the veteran. Churches could help organize this.

Something like that anyhow...

Just like with the RNC, they aren’t representing us so we give directly to the candidates.

[cherry]

pass this along to your friends. I emailed them my dismay. Our local hunting/conservation advocacy group donates a lot of time and money and volunteer hours to assist all the disabled in outdoor activities, particularly hunting, and particularly wounded vets.

[kevslisababy]

When my son was injured, it was the Semper Fi Fund and Charity Works, along with Fisher House.

I wouldn’t hesitate to give to them.

Also in Michigan, there is a pure charity called “Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund” run entirely by volunteers, so all the money passes to our heros.

[girlangler]

I was involved in launching the WWP Outdoors Progrqm, but haven’t been so in a while. None of the folks I worked with are even there anymore, and their policies are totally different.

[ruesrose]

Please think about what you are doing! Why deny help to these wounded warriors just because you do not like the policy of the WWP?
Perhaps you could choose to send your donations to the Charlie Norwood VA Hospital (#1 Freedom Way, Augusta, GA. 30904) which has a large number of Wounded Warriors as patients as patients. You could designate the money for their Volunteer Services which provides many things to the veterans and current wounded warriors. This could be personal care items or even recreational opportunities. Or support the Fisher House, where military families and veterans families stay free of charge while spouses are receiving care at the VA Medical Centers. They can use donations for many needs and you can designate how you want it used. I have personally supported the purchase of “grab and go” breakfast items so the family members can get to the patients sooner. Family love is good medicine and the Fisher Houses make it possible for family to be with a patient. Food, linens, personal care products and anything you can think a household needs is all by donation.
So please consider these and other options before cutting off support. Thank you for your consideration.

[PMAS]

*

[patriotsblood]

They do a butt load of television advertising, and as a retired ad guy, I can tell you it’s not cheap. I wonder how much of their proceeds actually go to the ww themselves.

[rangerwife]

Check out Wounded Warriors In Action...pretty good organization. The husband went on a couple of the hunting trips and had a good time.

http://www.woundedwarriorsinaction.org

[Truth2012]

Thanks for the note. I have to be very careful about my charity giving. I simply can’t afford to support any progressive movement or progressive charity any further.

Best wishes.

[rangerwife]

I’ll just say this...I work with another non-profit whose goal is to help provide education and resources to other wounded families (www.familyofavet.com) and when we have called on WWP to help a family with serious issues, we’ve gotten turned down more than once. This is one recent example, we at family of a vet received word of a family that had been homeless for about a year and turns out WWP had known about this family for months and did nothing to help when asked, even though their website says they help with financial resources. The founder of family of a vet (know her well, she’s a personal friend and I work with her) was able to go to a church and raise enough money to get the family temporary housing for a few months.

[Dead Corpse]

There are other veterans groups that don’t have their heads up their asses.

As a veteran, I would ask that you please support those other groups rather than this one...

[frankenMonkey]

WWP rankings

not particularly good or bad, i suppose. 130 full time staff, senior execs earning $160K approx. 100 or more current job openings.

[SJSAMPLE]

I contribute monthly and will continue to do so.

While I think their stance on firearms is ridiculous, part of me understands their desire to control “the brand” and avoid offending potential donors. It’s a tricky business, but I think they’ve chosen the wrong side of it.

I understand, but I don’t agree.