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Important Facts

Mission Statement
Veterans of Valor is committed to assist and support service members who have been severely wounded in combat during their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian or military life. Joining charitable, community and corporate resources, Veterans of Valor provides specific items, services and programs tailored to meet the needs of those injured heroes and their families. Veterans of Valor is committed to connecting with wounded service members on an individual basis, and providing tangible support with the goal of promoting physical, mental and emotional healing.

Statement of Nondiscrimination
Within the class of disabled American veterans we serve, Veterans of Valor, Inc., will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, sex, disability, age, marital status, veteran’s status, or religion in admission to and participation in our programs.

Eligibility
U.S. military service members wounded in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) are eligible to participate in Veterans of Valor programs.

To be eligible for a Veterans of Valor program, a combat wounded veteran must have a qualified medical professional (usually a physician) state in writing that the veteran will or did require at least 6 months of recovery or treatment time. Please note that the wounded veteran does not have to wait six months before receiving benefits; a qualified medical professional may complete the written statement immediately after the wounded veteran begins treatment.

This written statement of medical eligibility must be sent to Veterans of Valor, along with a referral by a medical professional, or any of the following: U.S. Marine, U.S. Soldier, U.S. Sailor, U.S. Airman, parent, spouse, or child of the wounded veteran.Please Contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

Find out more about how programs work at our Programs Page.

1. What is Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor is an organization committed to helping combat-wounded veterans make a positive transition from being wounded through their healing process. During hospital stays, therapy treatments and beyond, our goal is to promote physical, mental, and emotional healing.

2. Is Veterans of Valor associated with the United States Government?
No, Veterans of Valor is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Klay South, a United States Marine. It is not associated with the United States government.

3. Why was Veterans of Valor founded?
Veterans of Valor was launched from the heart and experience of Marine Cpl. Klay South after he was critically wounded Nov. 11, 2004, during a spearhead into Fallujah, Iraq. While experiencing a lengthy recovery process of multiple surgeries, treatments, and therapies, Klay discovered that a minute could seem like an hour. Anticipating painful treatments and therapies only added to the anxiety of the whole new world of emotional turmoil, but he discovered that personal therapy through music, audio books, and PlayStation Portable® devices (PSPs) made the treatments and therapies less stressful. Klay realized that other veterans recovering from combat wounds often didn’t have the resources or support to access these personal therapy items. Although he shared his own items, the needs were too great for him to make a true difference alone. Therefore, he founded Veterans of Valor, a nonprofit organization, to supply these wounded veterans with backpacks loaded with personal therapy items. Veterans of Valor exists as a result of Klay’s passionate mission to have a positive effect during the entire healing process. The organization's programs have expanded to include a Night Out and Hero Wishes. Find out more about how programs work at our Programs Page.

4. How is Veterans of Valor unique?
Veterans of Valor is unique because of the positive mental impact combat wounded veterans receive through its programs. For example, backpacks include LiveWire technology and Apple iPods®, pre-loaded with music, audio books and inspirational material. The backpack's PlayStation Portable® devices, or PSPs, help make the treatments and therapies seem less stressful, and help the time pass quickly. The athletic wear included in each pack is designed for ease of wound care. Veterans of Valor's special break-away pants are comfortable and easy to clean, yet stylish enough to help a wounded veteran feel at ease while out in public. Each of the 15 items in the pack is included because of its specific therapeutic value.

5. How does Veterans of Valor help combat-wounded veterans?
Veterans of Valor assists combat wounded veterans by providing tangible support to ease the pain and suffering during treatments, surgeries, and therapies. The organization also extends its reach to include support during a veteran's transition from his or her hospital community to the hometown community.

6. How does Veterans of Valor work?
Generous donors provide funds for various programs that benefit combat-wounded veterans.

7. What are the benefits of supporting Veterans of Valor?
Your donations support military heroes who have been wounded while serving their country. Your support expresses the love, compassion, and care of the American people to these brave wounded heroes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does a combat-wounded veteran qualify for the programs Veterans of Valor offers?
U.S. military service members wounded in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) are eligible to participate in Veterans of Valor programs.

This written statement of medical eligibility must be sent to Veterans of Valor, along with a referral by a medical professional, or any of the following: U.S. Marine, U.S. Soldier, U.S. Sailor, U.S. Airman, parent, spouse, or child of the wounded veteran. Follow the easy instructions on the online Referral Form or Contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

Find out more about how programs work at our Programs Page.

2. Why must a wounded veteran be referred to Veterans of Valor?
The benefits offered by Veterans of Valor are crucial in the recovery process, but the programs are designed to benefit wounded veterans who need at least six months or more to recover from their combat wounds. The military maintains privacy and security standards that cannot be shared with Veterans of Valor, so we rely on medical professionals, military men and women, families, and friends to supply the names and necessary information for military heroes.

3. Why is supporting a military hero important?
When you share encouragement with a combat wounded veteran with tangible items, you express love, care and concern in a personal way.

4. How many men and women are currently on active duty in the military?
The U.S. Department of Defense stated that there were 1,384,812 military Heroes on active duty in December, 2001. However, over 200,000 members of the Reserves and National Guard have been added to that number since 2001.

5. May I communicate directly with a wounded veteran?
Security and privacy regulations prohibit the disclosure of veterans identities. However, you may send a personal card or letter to Veterans of Valor with your good wishes, concerns, encouragement and prayers, and we’ll forward or hand-deliver your messages to a combat wounded veteran.

6. Can I get a pen pal through Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor maintains high privacy standards, so identities cannot be shared. However, we accept letters, cards, and well-wishes that will be forwarded or hand-delivered to combat-wounded military Heroes.

7. How can I send a message or a card?
A message or card is an important way to express care and concern for combat-wounded veterans. Veterans of Valor maintains high privacy standards, so identity cannot be shared. However, send us letters, cards, and well-wishes via the information listed on our Contact Page, and these messages will be forwarded or hand-delivered to combat-wounded veterans.