WATCH: Seniors’ Project Hosts Wounded Warriors, Wildwood Community Banded Together

WILDWOOD – Five families from the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) enjoyed a weekend at the shore, thanks to the donations of local businesses which participated in a service project of two high school seniors. 
T.J. Hunt and Bob Belansen, seniors at St. Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, welcomed four of the five families Aug. 19 at Wildwood Crest branch library, saying, “Our goal is for you to have a good time, relax and enjoy what our hometown has to offer.”
After thanking the veterans for their service, Hunt noted, “We’ve learned that no obstacle is too big to overcome.”
“I’m proud to be hosting these families,” Belansen said after meeting the families. “I have a lot of respect for these men who served our country. I’m amazed at how our whole community got involved with this project, and now I’m seeing how grateful these families are. It was a big community effort, and I’m glad I was a part of it.”
Hunt said that every senior at their high school has to do a service project or 100 hours of community service. He hopes to work with veterans and prosthetics when he gets older, so for him, “helping the nation’s finest” made sense.
“I’m hoping they get a chance to escape and enjoy their weekend,” he added.
The duo, who said they spent more than 100 hours on the project, started reaching out to businesses in March, first asking local hotels to host the families; then they reached out to restaurateurs and attractions. Donations valued at over $7,000 were made for the 21 participants.
“It’s a nice tribute to the town,” added John L. Linnington III, of Rio Grande, who represented his brother, Michael, at the event. Michael, a native of Lower Township, serves as chief executive officer of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Jacksonville, Fla. Linnington helped Hunt and Belansen make contact with businesses for the project.
Before joining WWP, Michael was the first permanent director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), following his retirement as a lieutenant general from the U.S. Army.
He served as the military deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) from 2013-2015 and as commanding general, Military District of Washington and commander, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region from 2011-2013.
Michael Linnington also held general officer positions of responsibility as deputy commanding general, Fort Benning, Ga.; commandant of cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; and in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Michael has seen the issues the veterans face when they return home,” his brother said. “He believes that he should stand behind the guys who he put into battle, and help them back into society, maintain family ties and help them address any injuries.
“I’m not surprised by the response from the Wildwood businesses to this project,” he added. “That’s what Wildwood is all about: taking care of its own.”
The WWP mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after Sept. 11, 2001. 
Family members or caregivers of a wounded warrior may also be eligible for help from the program.
Michael Vonschondorf, of Waretown, was one of the warriors selected for the weekend. It was the first time he and his family and mother vacationed in Wildwood.
“This is incredibly nice, especially since it involves the family,” Vonschondorf said. He was in the Navy and served in Afghanistan with the Army.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity and gesture for us, and tremendous opportunity to give back,” added Aimee Veltri, of Toms River. Her husband, Albert, has 23 years with the Army.
“I was humbled when the WWP asked if we wanted to participate in this weekend,” Veltri said. “It’s really a staycation for us, a great opportunity to spend a weekend with the family. I volunteer with WWP and like to give back and recognize everyone who has helped us along the way. This is just a great event.”
“We’re going to go with the flow this weekend,” said Juan Gonzalez, of Queens, N.Y.
As a divorced father of two young boys, it was “perfect timing” for him. “When they asked if I wanted to participate, I thought what perfect timing since it was a weekend I had the boys,” said the Army veteran who served in Iraq.
“We are going to the boardwalk, the beach, swim in the pool at the hotel and see the fireworks tonight. We are going to go with the flow and do what the boys want,” he said.
Jeff Rutkowski, of Wallkill, N.Y., a Marine veteran served in Afghanistan. It was his family’s first time to Wildwood, and his wife and three children were thrilled. “It’s a really great opportunity to spend time with the family at the beach,” he said. “This is a really great project, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to participate.”
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.