Two dozen veterans injured since the September 11 attacks joined former President George W. Bush at Las Colinas Country Club Thursday to mark Veterans Day. The Bush Institute launched the Military Service Initiative ten years ago.
The group played a round of golf at the club Thursday morning.
"We're with some outstanding veterans here," the former president said. "I want to thank you for taking time to come and play. I hope your caddies can read the greens."
George W. Bush greeted veterans as he walked toward the first hole.
"It is a remarkable country where millions have volunteered in the face of danger, selflessly volunteered on behalf of their fellow citizens," he said. "On this Veterans Day, let us remember the veterans who are with us, the veterans who are not with us, and let us always be mindful of their great service to the country."
"It's just amazing what President Bush and the institute have done to support veterans, to help us with recovery and also during our transition from our military service to the civilian world," says Marine Captain Jerry Woods. "It's helped dramatically."
Woods won the Warrior Open two years ago. He says the event gives veterans and their families a chance to develop friendships with people who have had similar experiences, and they can open up to each other.
Related
"You have Army, Marines, we all just get together because we're brothers, and we can relate to stories," he says. "Some civilians just don't understand what we've been through. We have that ability to talk the talk, so it's been really good."
Marine Col. Matt Amidon, director of the Military Service Initiative at the Bush Institute, says the Warrior Open can highlight the importance of national service and show that veterans are members of the community.
"There's no better day to do this. Why we're really here is to shine a spotlight on the service, sacrifice, resilience, and continued leadership of some of our most severely wounded post-9/11 warriors and their families," Amidon says.
But he also says the event gives veterans a chance to embrace their competitive instincts.
"They're going to tee off in front of hundreds of people and the 43rd commander in chief who we call the 'heckler in chief' as well," Amidon says.
Related
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD