In Bagdad on December 15, the U.S. Army marked the end of the war in Iraq, with the last of the soldiers heading home. On that same day, 6,400 miles away at Union Station in Chicago, members of New Trier High School and Masters rowing programs participated in a fundraiser called, “Row a Soldier Home,” to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Lincoln Park Boat Club’s program for handicapped rowers.

Of 100 total participants, 12 adults and 31 students representing New Trier Rowing helped raise money by rowing on ergometers (rowing machines) in the Grand Hall of Union Station.

Clocking 653,166 meters and raising $6,500 overall, were Lincoln Park Boat Club and Juniors, New Trier Rowing, Chicago Training Center, Chicago Rowing Union and Recovery on Water (a team of breast cancer survivors).

The Wounded Warrior Project, whose motto is: “The greatest casualty is being forgotten,” raises awareness of injured service members and provides programs to help meet their needs.

New Trier Rowing Coach Hope Poor, who organized the New Trier group, said, “The Wounded Warrior Project is such a worthwhile organization and we’re so grateful that we were able to help them through such a fun event. And we were really pleased by the level of rower participation in support of those who have served and sacrificed so much for our country.”