Jun 1, 2012

Wounded Navy Veteran Loses Sight but has Vision for Helping Others in the Same Boat

Navy veteran Lt. Brad Snyder and SargesList team up to raise money for the COMMIT Foundation by supporting his valiant a...

Navy veteran Lt. Brad Snyder and SargesList team up to raise money for the COMMIT Foundation by supporting his valiant athletic determination at the 2012 Paralympic Games. SargesList, a trusted resource for military classifieds, job-seeking, and military community resources, is supporting Navy officer, Lt. Brad Snyder and other veterans who are seeking meaningful life after combat. Snyder, who lost his vision when he was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on September 7, 2011, will be competing in the 2012 Paralympic games in London. Snyder, who was a competitive swimmer at the United States Naval Academy, will be participating in a number of swimming events at the Games. One year to the day that the U.S. sailor lost his sight after stepping on a battlefield bomb, he’ll be wearing American colors, swimming for gold, as he competes in the 400 meter freestyle. To celebrate Snyder’s valiant efforts in the Paralympics and honor his commitment to other wounded warriors, SargesList, the official sponsor of the Team Brad Fundraiser, will be hosting nation-wide events on September 7, 2012. “I’m going to show people that I’m not going to let this beat me. I’m not going to let blindness build a brick wall around me. I am going to find a way forward, ”said Snyder. “Participating in the Paralympics demonstrates to people there shouldn’t be anything getting in the way of pursuing your own happiness or being successful.” Snyder credits the COMMIT Foundation with helping him transition into next phase of his life. As a way to thank the foundation, Snyder has requested proceeds from SargesList’s fundraiser go to The COMMIT Foundation so other veterans may benefit. SargesList is spearheading fundraising efforts that include corporate sponsorship, T-shirt sales, fundraising and the organization of worldwide events on September 7, 2012 at participating VFWs and local base establishments. “We find with a little bit of extra time, thought and action, we can make a tremendous impact for our nation’s veterans,” said Anne Meree Craig, Executive Director of The COMMIT Foundation. For Snyder, this has included assistance in finding appropriate housing, furnishings, a job, pool time at Loyola University Maryland and contact with his coach, Brian Loeffler, who is preparing him for competition. “When I heard that The COMMIT Foundation’s founders poured their own personal finances into helping Brad reach his goals, I knew that we were partnering with a worthwhile organization. After 48,594 U.S military being killed and wounded from the War on Terror, Brad is standing strong for America on a very visible day so close to the anniversary of 9/11. It’s a powerful message Brad is sending and I wonder if he even knows the significance yet.” says Lisa Klinkhammer, CEO of SargesList. Their collective goal is to raise $25,000.