A crowd of over 1,000 well-wishers, cheering and holding up signs saying, “Thank You for Your Service. We Love You!” greeted the first group of 50 disabled troops as they arrived at Orlando International Airport along with their spouses and children for the Coalition’s Fifth Annual Road to Recovery Conference. The wounded heroes had all flown together from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas aboard the flight, nicknamed Flagship Freedom.

“Road to Recovery” is an opportunity for us to say “Thank You” to our militaiy men and women by bringing them face to face with very successful people who have faced challenges just like them, so they can experience reality rather than just words.

Country music star Toby Keith performs for wounded members and their families at the first annual Salute America’s Heroes Gala at Disney’s Carronada Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (www.saluteheroes.org) held its first Texas “Road to Recovery Conference,” at which the most seriously wounded veterans and their families will attend to receive much-needed support and encouragement, including: seminars on educational job training and career counseling opportunities, inspiring success stories told by disabled veterans, and evaluations to help direct wounded heroes toward viable resources available to assist them and their families.

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes was created last year in McLean, Va. At a December meeting in Orlando, it announced plans to build its first five homes later this year in Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Texas.

During the past three Christmas Seasons the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has provided a total of 3,752 gift cards and checks worth $500 to help disabled troops provide Christmas presents for their families.