Veterans with disabilities to tackle the Grand Canyon

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- No Barriers and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today announced the team of veterans with disabilities selected for the 2018 Grand Canyon Veteran Wilderness Expedition. Veterans from Alabama, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas were chosen to participate in the Raytheon-funded expedition October 19-27.

“When our brave men and women in uniform return from the battlespace with physical, mental or emotional injuries, we want to help them overcome their challenges and rebuild their lives,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. “Partnering with No Barriers Warriors on these challenging expeditions is one way Raytheon gives back to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have sacrificed so much for their country.”

Participants in all No Barriers programs face challenges ranging from emotional and physical trauma to impaired senses and chronic pain. Some experience combat flashbacks and survivor’s guilt, while others continue to struggle with readjusting to civilian life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are common injuries among the warriors. 

The 2018 Grand Canyon Veteran Wilderness Expedition team includes:

• Craig Lashley, U.S. Navy, Alabama
• Robert Nuttall, U.S. Army, Texas
• Justin Ballard, U.S. Air Force, Arizona
• Christopher Byrne, U.S. Army, Texas
• Magdalena Gradkowsa, U.S. Army, Arizona
• Candice Muir, U.S. Army, Arizona
• Mark Edinger, U.S. Army, New Mexico
• Javier Colon Mendoza, U.S. Army, Texas
• Jeremy Spruce, U.S. Army, Arizona
• Tamara Turnbull, U.S. Air Force, New Mexico
• Tracy Garcia, U.S. Army, Texas
• Bobbie Holland, U.S. Army, New Mexico
• Ronald Pugh, U.S. Marine Corps, Alabama
• Alumni Coach – James Bishop, U.S. Army, Texas

This is the fifth year Raytheon and the non-profit No Barriers USA have partnered for a veteran wilderness expedition. Previous journeys took teams to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. These expeditions are designed to push participants physically and mentally, while providing a foundation for stretching goals, facing adversity, and leading others.

About No Barriers

What barriers do you face? This question lies at the heart of our organization. Whether in our personal lives, at work, or in our communities, we all face challenges that can prevent us from reaching our full potential. At No Barriers, we believe that what’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way. No Barriers empowers people of all walks of life to overcome obstacles, live a life of purpose, and give back to the world, all through our ground-breaking curriculum, the No Barriers Life. Learn more about No Barriers at NoBarriersUSA.org.

About No Barriers Warriors

No Barriers Warriors is a program of No Barriers USA focused on improving the lives of veterans with disabilities through transformative, curriculum-based expeditions in challenging outdoor environments. Each No Barriers Warriors expedition is designed to push veterans mentally and physically in some of nature’s more incredible wilderness settings. We create a safe space and encourage them to reflect on their past, recognize where they are in the present and then look with positivity to the future. The experience serves as a catalyst for change as veterans stretch their boundaries, innovate through adversity, and build lifelong rope teams.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I^TM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.

Contact:

Jaime Donnelly
No Barriers Marketing Director
jaime.donnelly@nobarriersusa.org
970-412-3653

John Toth
No Barriers Warriors Director
john.toth@nobarriersusa.org
970-484-3633 x 312

John Patterson
Raytheon Company
rmspr@raytheon.com
520-746-2107

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/30709f82-d504-4fae-945b-e8f58890c94a