Mario Lopez Supports Wounded Warriors

Wounded Warrior Project Outline

I. Introduction

a. Attention-getter: In the United States, approximately 22 veterans commit suicide every day (Bare, 2015).

i. Relevance: This is a serious issue that affects the lives of many military personnel and their families

ii. Credibility: The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization that provides support to wounded veterans, and has been rated as one of the most effective and efficient veterans charities in the country (Ramchand et al., 2014).

b. Thesis statement: Today, I urge you to support the Wounded Warrior Project, as they are essential in providing care and assistance to veterans in need.

i. Preview: I will be using Monroe's Motivated Sequence to outline the need for support of the Wounded Warrior Project

ii. and provide evidence from sources to reinforce my argument.

II. Need

a. Veterans need help, as they face many challenges, including physical and mental health issues, financial instability, and difficulty transitioning back to civilian life.

i. Illustration: According to a report from the VA, 20 veterans die by suicide every day (Bare, 2015).

ii. This is a tragic result of the mental health struggles many veterans face after returning from service.

b. Pointing: Furthermore, the VA reported that in 2020, there were over 3.9 million veterans with a service-connected disability (US Census, 2020). These individuals face unique challenges when it comes to finding employment and providing for themselves and their families.

i. Source: According to a study by the Rand Corporation, 20% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or depression. (RAND, 2008)

ii. Ramification: Without proper support, these issues can result in a downward spiral that is difficult to overcome.

III. Satisfaction/Solution

a. So what is the solution? The Wounded Warrior Project offers a variety of programs and services to help veterans overcome the challenges they face after returning from service (WWP, 2023).

i. These include mental health support, employment assistance, financial counseling, and more.

ii. For example, according to the Wounded Warrior Project's website, they have served over 200,000 warriors, providing over 4.4 million hours of one-on-one counseling and support (WWP, 2023).

b. Source: The Wounded Warrior Project has been rated as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator, and has an overall score of 96.46 out of 100. (Charity Navigator)

i. Benefit: By supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, we can ensure that veterans have access to the resources they need to successfully transition back to civilian life.

ii. WWP is a great way to help our veterans get the help they need.

IV. Visualization

a. But maybe you’re still not convinced. So try this: Imagine a world where wounded veterans are able to successfully overcome the challenges they face after returning from service.

i. They are able to find employment, provide for their families, and live fulfilling lives

ii. This is the world that the Wounded Warrior Project is working to create.

b. Benefit: By supporting this organization, we can make a difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

i. No more suicides. No more veteran neglect.

ii. Instead, our wounded warriors will be welcomed back into the civilian world: they protected us on the front lines—and now we get to protect them back home.

V. Call to Action

a. So here’s a Call to action: I urge you to support the Wounded Warrior Project by donating to their cause, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word about their mission.

i. By supporting this organization, we can make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families

b. Endorsement: As Mario Lopez said, "I'm honored to spend time with veterans and the people who help them achieve their goals."

i. Let's show our gratitude to those who have served our country by supporting the veterans (WWP, 2023).