Charities Battle in Court But Forget All Wounded Need Help

UPDATE
May 6, 2015
I thought about this all night and what is infuriating to me is the fact that caring for combat wounded veterans is regarded as "project" instead of a debt we owe. The logo is not just a drawing. These are real wounded Marines forgotten about as these groups fight over the use of their images. Both groups admit they are not interested in all our wounded from all generations.

How can they look a veteran from different wars in the eyes and tell them they are just not the right kind of veteran? That they are worth the same "honor and empower them to aid and assist each other" as the commercial claims or what they have on their website "To honor and empower Wounded Warriors" and then dismiss the service, suffering and sacrifice of all of them?

In the veterans community we have this conversation all the time. If everyone of the new groups getting attention raising huge bank accounts are doing all they claim they are, then why has it all gotten worse for all our veterans?

May 5, 2015
My day started off with a bang in my head as soon a a friend, Gayle posted a link to the story about Wounded Warriors battle in court but the truth is far from easy and simple.

This story got to me this morning so when I got back from work I tried to find the actual images both logos apparently came from. I still can't find the one that Keystone Wounded Warriors is using but from the graphics it appears to be one from Vietnam. A few friends point out how the wounded soldier is being dragged and the weapon. I am still searching for the image but after 3 hours, I give up for now.

Keystone Wounded Warrior sued by Wounded Warrior Project but in the process, veterans appear to be last on their to do list, at least some veterans. Neither group seems to care that there are many other generations of veterans waiting long for the same type of help they collect donations to provide for just some.

First is WWP does not help Vietnam veterans, or Gulf War veterans or Korean War veterans or WWII veterans or any of their families. It seems that Keystone has followed that rule as well.

Nardizzi told NewsChannel 3 most charities change their logos or names when asked. He said he vigorously guards the trademark because it is among the charity’s most valuable assets.

“Our logo is pretty sacred to us. It represents everything we believe in as an organization,” he said.

There is a story behind the famous logo.

The Marines Sgt. Matt LeVart carries injured Cpl. Barry Lange off the battlefield as members of India Company 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Division engage Iraqi soldiers in battle.

(AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

From WTKR News

The issue is the similarity of the charities’ logos. The famous Wounded Warrior Project logo shows a silhouette of one soldier carrying another on his back.

The Keystone Wounded Warriors logo is also a silhouette of soldiers, but shows one dragging another across the ground. In a federal lawsuit, the Wounded Warrior Project declared it “has suffered irreparable damage to its business, goodwill, reputation and profits” because of the Pennsylvania charity’s logo.

Spurgin said his charity once partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and raised money for it. Later, he and others decided to start a charity for Pennsylvania veterans. He said a high-school student designed the logo, and the Keystone Wounded Warriors were granted a trademark.

It also appears there is a lot of confusion even among supporters.

Manheim PA Donates $70K to Keystone Wounded Warriors
By Auto Remarketing Staff
Friday, Mar. 28, 2014, 11:32 AM UPDATED 4:50 PM

During the past two years, Manheim Pennsylvania raised $110,000 for Wounded Warrior Project.
MANHEIM, Pa.
To support the Keystone Wounded Warriors organization, Manheim Pennsylvania recently raised $70,000 as a donation to Keystone Wounded Warriors, which is a portion of proceeds from the third-annual Xtreme Spring Event.

Auction officials highlighted a spring charity gala to benefit veterans also was held as part of two-day event.

Manheim Pennsylvania hosted what it called the world’s largest highline vehicle auction — a “100 Grander” sale — featuring a 2008 Bugatti Veyron, many Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini models and other high-dollar vehicles on March 20.

Additionally, Ultra Highline, Corvette, Motorcycle and Classic Car auctions were held on March 21.

A portion of the proceeds from the Xtreme Spring Event benefitted the Pennsylvania-based Keystone Wounded Warriors. This year’s donation marks a $20,000 increase over the donation made to the Wounded Warrior Project in 2013.
read more here

The question has been asked over and over again. What exactly is WWP doing? This question has never really been answered.

Now I am wondering what Keystone Wounded Warrior does. It seems they have forgotten about all the other veterans as well.

Keystone Wounded Warriors is a Eastern Pennsylvania based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation that seeks to honor the daily sacrifices made by the brave men and women in all branches of the United States Military, but specifically those wounded on or after September 11, 2001. Keystone Wounded Warriors aids Wounded Warriors by raising public awareness and seeking the public’s support for programs and services that assist Wounded Warriors. Funds donated to Keystone Wounded Warriors are used to support local post-9/11 veterans and their families located in or with ties to Pennsylvania. The remaining funds are donated to national post-9/11 wounded veterans organizations.

Our warriors do an inspiring job in the face of their disabilities and difficulties transitioning into civilian life through dedication and commitment. Keystone Wounded Warriors strives to ease the burden on these heroes through focus in three major areas:

Financially
Physically
Mentally

Providing direct resources for daily needs such as groceries, toiletries and items for the wounded warrior and their family. We have partnered with a local organization, Keystone Soldiers, to provide these immediate needs. Additionally, we provide financial counseling to our Wounded Warriors to help in their transition from the military to civilian life.

As with everything else, if you only want to help the new generation of veterans, then this should all be fine with you. If you think that all veterans deserve our help and support, then make sure you know where your money is going before you give your support.

I am still going to look for the picture but I have thousands of them in my files to go through.