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LEGISLATORS OF THE YEAR
Sen. Angus King and
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
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EMPOWERMENT AWARD
CSX
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SERVICE AWARD
Adam Sandoval
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COURAGE AWARD
Sean Karpf
2024 Legislators of the Year Award: Sen. Angus King and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
WWP is recognizing two Congressional champions with the Legislator of the Year Award for their veteran advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill: Maine Sen. Angus King and Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, King has distinguished himself through his commitment to veterans and their families and caregivers. He’s advocated for legislation to promote smoother military transitions (the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act); enhance career training opportunities (the VETTEC Authorization Act); and strengthen practices and standards concerning blast injury prevention and care (the Blast Overpressure Safety Act).
King also ensured veterans’ benefits kept pace with inflation through the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023 and supported initiatives to improve veterans’ health care and benefits, including the PACT Act. Additionally, he’s been a vocal leader in addressing veteran suicide.
Miller-Meeks used her position as House Chairwoman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee on Health to hold hearings and spotlight
critical issues such as substance use disorder, care coordination, and emerging mental health therapies, among others. She sponsored pivotal legislation to improve access to residential rehabilitation treatment programs, expand long-term care options, and increase the availability of non-opioid pain management medications.
Miller-Meeks also led efforts to make the VA health care system more accessible and accountable (the Veteran Care Improvement Act) and ensure VA provides mammogram screenings for female veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic environments (the SERVICE Act).
“Our two Legislators of the Year understand the incredible service and sacrifice veterans have given to our country,” said Jose Ramos, WWP vice president of government and community relations. “We are grateful for the extraordinary dedication and leadership Sen. King and Rep. Miller-Meeks have shown our community, working to ensure all veterans can live their fullest, most empowered lives. Wounded Warrior Project is honored to partner with them as we continue to support post-9/11 veterans into the future.”
2024 Empowerment Award: CSX
CSX, a premier transportation company and longtime partner of WWP, connects servicemembers and their families to what they need when they need it through a signature initiative called ‘Pride in Service.’
As a military-friendly employer, CSX partners with WWP’s Warriors to Work program to remove barriers and help injured veterans find meaningful work. Since 2023, CSX has sponsored innovative drone training to help veterans become certified drone pilots, hosting warriors at CSX railyards for an immersive, hands-on opportunity. The award-winning program has opened doors for warriors across various industries and empowered several veterans to start their own businesses.
CSX also has a strong track record of involving employees in WWP’s mission. As the city sponsor of the Jacksonville Carry Forward® 5K since 2018, CSX employees engage in fundraising, volunteerism, and event participation. Additionally, CSX supports warriors and their families by providing financial assistance to combat food insecurity, facilitating suicide prevention training, and sponsoring WWP’s convening of community partners.
“CSX continues to set a gold standard of partnership. Their targeted approach to addressing needs is changing and saving the lives of those we serve,” said WWP Chief Development Officer Chris Needles. “We’re grateful for their leadership, advocacy, and involvement that’s helping veterans realize what’s possible after service.”
2024 Service Award:
Adam Sandoval
Since 2014, Adam Sandoval has taken the road less traveled to support the military and veteran community. The motorcycle enthusiast turned philanthropist is known for logging hundreds of thousands of miles on his bike and uniting riders nationwide for veterans causes. His efforts first gained widespread attention during a two-year fundraising ride called ScootinAmerica. Adam, alongside his pet chihuahua, Scooter, visited every Harley-Davidson dealership in the lower 48 states, raising money and awareness for the nation’s heroes along the way.
Adam recently partnered with Harley-Davidson and WWP to launch The Great American Convoy. Thousands of riders joined him on a cross-country trek and raised over $775,000 for WWP in just two years. Adam's odysseys are fueled by a regret of never enlisting in the military. He lives by the motto: “If you didn’t serve in the military, find time to serve someone who did.”
Adam’s dedication has inspired many. He’s connected people for a collective mission while honoring and empowering wounded, ill, and injured veterans who bravely served our nation.
“Adam reminds us that you didn’t have to serve to be of great service,” said Needles. “His tenacity and passion honor the long road home for many of the warriors we serve. We all have the power to pave a path of awareness and support like Adam for our nation’s heroes and remind them that hope and healing are around the corner.”
2024 Courage Award:
Sean Karpf
In 2012, Army veteran Sean Karpf stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan. He lost his left leg below the knee and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). But he faced his toughest battle after returning home and being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He wasn’t himself, and his wife encouraged him to seek help.
That’s when he connected with WWP. Career transition assistance from Warriors to Work® empowered him to return to college and pursue a degree. By meeting his challenges head-on, Sean refused to be defined by his injuries, and he started to overcome his PTSD.
Now, he volunteers at countless WWP events, shares his story, and hosts fundraisers to ensure other veterans can access the free programs and services that helped him.
Beyond his work with WWP, Sean owns and operates a successful pressure-washing business in Jacksonville, Florida. His true passion lies in helping other veterans pursue their dreams, especially those looking to start their own businesses.
“Sean embodies the spirit of our logo—a warrior once carried off the battlefield, now carrying others forward on their road to recovery,” said Piatt. “We are humbled by his courage, strength, and unwavering generosity.”
MEET THE 2024 COURAGE AWARDS
& BENEFITS DINNER AWARDEES
She sponsored pivotal legislation to improve access to residential rehabilitation treatment programs, expand long-term care options, and increase the availability of non-opioid pain management medications.
Miller-Meeks also led efforts to make the VA health care system more accessible and accountable (the Veteran Care Improvement Act) and ensure VA provides mammogram screenings for female veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic environments (the SERVICE Act).
“Our two Legislators of the Year understand the incredible service and sacrifice veterans have given to our country,” said Jose Ramos, WWP vice president of government and community relations. “We are grateful for the extraordinary dedication and leadership Sen. King and Rep. Miller-Meeks have shown our community, working to ensure all veterans can live their fullest, most empowered lives. Wounded Warrior Project is honored to partner with them as we continue to support post-9/11 veterans into the future.”
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WWP is recognizing two Congressional champions with the Legislator of the Year Award for their veteran advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill: Maine Sen. Angus King and Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, King has distinguished himself through his commitment to veterans and their families and caregivers. He’s advocated for legislation to promote smoother military transitions (the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act); enhance career training opportunities (the VETTEC Authorization Act); and strengthen practices and standards concerning blast injury prevention and care (the Blast Overpressure Safety Act).
King also ensured veterans’ benefits kept pace with inflation through the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023 and supported initiatives to improve veterans’ health care and benefits, including the PACT Act. Additionally, he’s been a vocal leader in addressing veteran suicide.
Miller-Meeks used her position as House Chairwoman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee on Health to hold hearings and spotlight critical issues such as substance use disorder, care coordination, and emerging mental health therapies, among others.
MEET THE 2024 COURAGE AWARDS & BENEFITS DINNER AWARDEES
2024 Courage Award: Sean Karpf
In 2012, Army veteran Sean Karpf stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan. He lost his left leg below the knee and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). But he faced his toughest battle after returning home and being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He wasn’t himself, and his wife encouraged him to seek help.
That’s when he connected with WWP. Career transition assistance from Warriors to Work® empowered him to return to college and pursue a degree. By meeting his challenges head-on, Sean refused to be defined by his injuries, and he started to overcome his PTSD.
Now, he volunteers at countless WWP events, shares his story, and hosts fundraisers to ensure other veterans can access the free programs and services that helped him.
Beyond his work with WWP, Sean owns and operates a successful pressure-washing business in Jacksonville, Florida. His true passion lies in helping other veterans pursue their dreams, especially those looking to start their own businesses.
“Sean embodies the spirit of our logo—a warrior once carried off the battlefield, now carrying others forward on their road to recovery,” said Piatt. “We are humbled by his courage, strength, and unwavering generosity.”
2024 Service Award: Adam Sandoval
Since 2014, Adam Sandoval has taken the road less traveled to support the military and veteran community. The motorcycle enthusiast turned philanthropist is known for logging hundreds of thousands of miles on his bike and uniting riders nationwide for veterans causes. His efforts first gained widespread attention during a two-year fundraising ride called ScootinAmerica. Adam, alongside his pet chihuahua, Scooter, visited every Harley-Davidson dealership in the lower 48 states, raising money and awareness for the nation’s heroes along the way.
Adam recently partnered with Harley-Davidson and WWP to launch The Great American Convoy. Thousands of riders joined him on a cross-country trek and raised over $775,000 for WWP in just two years. Adam's odysseys are fueled by a regret of never enlisting in the military. He lives by the motto: “If you didn’t serve in the military, find time to serve someone who did.”
Adam’s dedication has inspired many. He’s connected people for a collective mission while honoring and empowering wounded, ill, and injured veterans who bravely served our nation.
“Adam reminds us that you didn’t have to serve to be of great service,” said Needles. “His tenacity and passion honor the long road home for many of the warriors we serve. We all have the power to pave a path of awareness and support like Adam for our nation’s heroes and remind them that hope and healing are around the corner.”
2024 Legislators of the Year
Award: Sen. Angus King and
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
