AFA Supports Wounded Airmen & Guardians at Day of Healing

Hundreds of wounded Airmen and Guardians, caregivers, and other supporters flocked to Maryland for the Air Force Wounded Warrior’s (AFW2) annual Northeast Warrior CARE event November 18-22. This was AFA’s 11th consecutive year supporting the weeklong celebration of recovery, resiliency, and adaptive sports training at National Harbor and Joint Base Andrews.

The week kicked off with Monday’s “Day of Healing,” a social event and art therapy showcase that reminds our Wounded Warriors and their caregivers that there is unity in recovery. An array of leaders from across the Air and Space Forces community—including AFA’s President & CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF, (Ret.)—offered heartfelt words to the assembly to demonstrate the support for those veterans and their families along their road to recovery. 

“This support is more than just a helping hand,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy, USAF (Ret.) in his keynote address at the event. “It’s Care Beyond Duty and validation that the Department of Defense mission and commitment begins and ends with its people. When our service members become wounded, ill, or injured, often it is difficult to navigate the road to recovery while balancing the needs of the mission through no fault of your own. By providing specialized care to seriously injured, ill, or wounded, the unique citizens serving this nation, Warrior Care Programs are powerful agents supporting our most valuable resource: You.

“The Day of Healing is a moment of celebration where we take a breather and acknowledge the recovery and resiliency of our Warriors. This time of camaraderie, fellowship, and relationship building is meant to bolster our spirit and launch us forward to the future of healing,” Roy added.

How Arts Help Heal Wounds

Warriors encouraged one another by telling their stories—from the situations that led them to injuries or illness, to the people and arts that have aided them in their healing. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Nalani Quintello told the group how, when she was only 19 years old, she voluntarily dropped out of American Idol to serve her country. She became the lead singer in the Air Force’s Premier Rock Band—but as she graced many stages and her popularity grew, so did extreme cyber bullying attacks, sexual harassment, and even assault.

“I am part of the Air Force Wounded Warrior Ambassador Program to share that my voice matters, my story matters,” said Quintello. After encouragement through the AFW2 Program and years of hard work in recovery, Quintello was once more able to confidently grace the stage in November and sing “American Airman”—a song she wrote to help her through her darkest times—along with her fellow Wounded Warriors. 

Other Warriors showcased their own personal recoveries in their own artistic ways, many of which were on display in the Day of Healing’s exhibit hall. Airmen and Guardians showed off paintings, photography, poetry, and even more unusual artistic mediums—all of which play an important role in continued healing.

“I began weaving in 2018 after taking an introductory class with the woman who became my mentor. I wanted a hobby where I could create, instead I found a practice that brings peace and joy,” wrote Col. Kathryn Tate in her biography next to her handwoven display. Tate served in a variety of clinical and leadership positions with deployments to Desert Storm, and a nine-month stint in Afghanistan where she helped to establish a civilian health system. She uses weaving to remain calm and connected. “My struggles become grounded by the men and women who came before me, weaving them into the world around me. It makes my stressors easier to bear because I do not feel like I am carrying them alone,” she wrote.

Another Wounded Airman, retired Master Sgt. David Long, shared how he had multiple heart surgeries to correct a rare heart condition, all while experiencing PTSD from his previous deployment. Toward the end of his military career, he was introduced to the AFW2 Program, which transformed his hobby of photography into a real passion and mode of therapy. Long served as the team photographer for the 2017 DOD Warrior Games, and continues to capture the accomplishments, emotions, and success of the Air Force Wounded Warriors at various rehabilitative events including the Warrior Games and Invictus Games.

“Healing arts isn’t really a competition. It can be a competition with yourself if you want to view it that way. Regardless, there is a need for it because it is the wholistic perspective, more than just the adaptive sports. It is about the mental health and wellbeing of our wounded warriors too,” Long said.

AFA’s Support on the Road to Recovery

AFA ensured that the caregivers of our Wounded Warriors were not forgotten. AFA hosted 26 caregivers for a fun-filled lunch cruise on the Potomac, giving these hidden heroes a well-deserved day of self-care. AFA staff also volunteered as mock interviewers to prepare wounded Airmen and Guardians who are transitioning to civilian careers. AFA staff also cheered on our wounded warriors in their adaptive sports tournament at Joint Base Andrews.

Since launching the Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program in 2011, AFA has provided more than $1 million to wounded Airmen, Guardians, and their Families during all stages of service. The program continues to champion the voices of wounded, ill, and injured heroes and their families. Learn more about how AFA is helping our wounded Airmen & Guardians heal and ways you can get involved in our life-changing support.