The Mission Continues | Fellows | Current Fellows

Adam Burke

Jacksonville, Florida

Adam has been awarded a full-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue to develop Veterans Farm, a horticulture therapy farm he developed. After his service as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army, Adam began Veterans Farm in order to instill positive values of teamwork and service into others and to help other veterans like himself with cognitive and hand/eye coordination skills through horticulture therapy. While deployed in support of OIF, Adam sustained injuries from a mortar blast, including PTSD, TBI, vertigo, fibromyalgia, tinnitus and migraines.

Daniel Guzman

Salinas, California

Daniel has been awarded a part-time Fellowship to work with the Wounded Explosive Ordinance Disposal Wounded Warrior Foundation (WEODWF). Daniel will help plan the 2010 annual fundraising bike ride for WEODWF. While deployed in support of OIF, Daniel received injuries from training exercises and physical training, including hearing loss and back spasms, and while on pass from deployment Daniel sustained neck and shoulder injuries due to an automobile accident.

Dan Casara

Chicago, Illinois

Dan was awarded a part-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service through working with Wounded Heroes Foundation's SALUTE program and to build and expand The Mission Continues in the Chicago area. Through his service work, Dan will help to promote The Mission Continues in Chicago and serve in his role as an advisory board member of SALUTE. While deployed in support of OIF, Dan suffered bilateral compound fractures of both legs, shattered both ankles and both feet and dislocated his right hip when his tank struck an anti-tank mine.

Casey Fulp

Colonial Heights, Virginia

Casey was awarded an honorary Mission Continues Fellowship for his outstanding and excellent commitment to service. Casey will be hiking the Applachian Trail in support of The Mission Continues to showcase to others that any challenge, big or small, can be overcome with dedication and a passion to serve. Casey sustained severe injuries following a car accident while on leave after training in 2007.

Mahmoud Miri

San Antonio, Texas

Mahmoud was awarded a full-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service by working with the San Antonio chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Through his service work, Mahmoud will assist the vicitm/support center of MADD. While deployed in support of OIF, Mahmoud sustained non-combat injuries in the line of duty.

Robert Wake

Malden, Missouri

Robert was awarded a full-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service by working with his local chapter of the Red Cross. Through his service work, Robert will support the Armed Forces and Fire Response programs with the Red Cross. While deployed in support of OIF, Robert sustained injuries from a mortar blast and has shrapnel throughout his body as a result. He also suffers from PTSD, headaches associated with TBI and hearing loss.

Jon Arnold Garcia

Austin, Texas

Jon Arnold was awarded a part-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service by working as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator in Austin, Tx. Through Jon Arnold's "Joint Task Force LBJ," Jon Arnold will bring together active duty military, veterans, and military supporters to conduct community service projects. While deployed in support of OIF, Jon Arnold suffered a right transtibal (below knee) amputation, as well as mild PTSD and TBI.

Shawn Billiot

Bethesda, Maryland

Shawn was awarded a part-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service by working with military members under the care of Navy Safe Harbor at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. Shawn will be serving in a peer mentoring capacity for convalescing marines and sailors there. Shawn suffered PTSD and TBI as a result of his deployment in support of OIF, where he served as a sergeant in the USMC.

Amanda Heidenreiter

Washington, DC

Amanda was awarded a Mission Continues Fellowship to continue her service by working with the Paws for Purple Hearts program. Amanda will be serving in a mentoring capacity for new wounded warriors in transition, particularly those affected by PTSD and/or TBI. Amanda served as a captain in the U.S. Army and deployed in support of OIF.

Steve Baskis

Chicago, Illinois

Steve Baskis was awarded a full-time Mission Continues Fellowship to continue his service by establishing a Team River Runner chapter in Chicago, Il. By establishing a chapter of Team River Runner, Steve will provide the opportunity for other disabled veterans to gain confidence and the chance to inspire others. While deployed in support of OIF, Steve was injured when his convoy was struck by a roadside bomb causing permanent blindness.

Cathy Vornberg

St. Louis, Missouri

Cathy was awarded a part-time Mission Continues Fellowship to serve at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Missouri. She will be working with the organization to plan and fundraise for events such as a radio-thon, organizing a Christmas party for St. Louis area children, and the Walk for Wishes campaign. Cathy was actively involved in AFROTC and is a former Air Force pilot trainee.