The Wounded Warrior Project: Resources in North Texas

On May 20, 2007, Shawn Morgan was shot in the right shoulder by a sniper while serving in the U.S. Army. After receiving the Purple Heart, he redeployed two additional times before retiring in 2014. 

Looking to transition to civilian life, the Bowie native heard about and connected with the Wounded Warrior Project, for which he’s worked ever since, including from Haslet since 2021. 

“After being in the military and being away from home for 20 years, my wife and I decided it was time to come back home so our kids could be closer to our side of the family and be with their grandparents,” he said of relocating from San Antonio. 

Morgan has been Central Alumni Regional Director since 2018. He and his 15-person remote team cover a territory ranging from the Rio Grande River valley to Canada. 

“We provide life-saving programs and assistance to post-9/11 veterans and their families,” he said. “We support programs in mental and brain health, financial connection, advocacy, and long-term care. And that’s at no cost to them through the generosity of those who have donated to the program.”

The Wounded Warrior Project started in 2003, initially delivering backpacks to hospital bedsides. 

“Now everyone knows we provide mental health services, career counseling, and different programs and services to try to provide for the needs of wounded veterans,” added Senior Public Relations Specialist Rob Louis.

Worldwide, the Wounded Warrior Project employs about 9,000 people directly servicing more than 250,000 registered wounded veterans and family members. Advocacy efforts expand that number to millions. 

Morgan joined the Army in 2004 after studying political science at Tarleton State University in Stephensville for a few years. 

“I decided I wanted more adventures so that’s how I ended up in the Army,” he said. “I spent a number of years at Fort Lewis, Washington. From there I did a few combat deployments. When I got out, I actually stayed in Seattle for a few years working out of our Seattle office.”

Morgan started on the Project Odessey team, facilitating outdoor adventures and teaching new techniques to cope with daily stress. 

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Morgan and his team reverted to virtual programming, which continued the ability to directly connect with those who needed help. More recently, in-person visits and events have increased. 

Since last October, the Dallas team has hosted more than 100 connection events in North Texas and Oklahoma. 

Those in North Texas are fortunate to be able to take advantage of partnerships with professional sports teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks, which provide game tickets, access to other special events, and direct donations. Last Veterans’ Day, the Cowboys invited them to watch a practice.

“These are really neat opportunities that spotlight what these organizations do in the Dallas community and spotlight the partnerships with those organizations,” Louis said. 

“Our whole goal is to get these folks out of isolation,” Morgan said. “According to our surveys, four of five veterans feel isolated, so our connection programs support veterans by bringing them out to fun activities. That cuts through isolation and tries to prevent suicides the best we can.

“Those events are fun and not something everyone can do so it’s a way to encourage veterans to get out of the house and connect with other service members and start the conversation.” 

Like in Morgan’s case, those conversations can eventually lead to extended involvement in the program. 

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without it,” Morgan said. “They supported me and my family in multiple ways. It’s my passion to give back to the brothers and sisters who need assistance.”

Morgan and Louis encourage veterans and active-duty personnel to look into the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Wounded Warriors exists to serve the post 9/11 veterans who became injured, ill, or wounded during their service,” Louis said. “It doesn’t have to be in a combat zone. If there’s a veteran who is dealing with challenges, I encourage them to reach out to our resource center (woundedwarrior.org) and see if they are eligible and get connected.”