NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C., Aug. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Window World, Inc.®, America's largest replacement window and home remodeling company, volunteered their corporate aircraft on July 24 to the families of two fallen soldiers, to participate in a Trident Dive Club Gold Star Diving Trip. The trip was led by Major Kent Solheim, U.S. Army/co-founder to Trident Dive Club. This trip was the 50 th mission Window World has flown for Veterans Airlift Command (VAC), a nonprofit that facilitates free, private air transportation to wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes.
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The families were flown from Fayetteville, N.C. to Florida for the diving trip in Key Largo. Trident Dive Club, part of Chatham Bay Foundation, provides scuba diving opportunities for the surviving families of military personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty (Gold Star families).
Solheim lost his leg in 2007 on a mission in Iraq. While in rehabilitation, he returned to his passion of scuba diving through the adaptive scuba program at the hospital. His recovery experience inspired him to found Trident Dive Club. On this particular trip, Solheim, his wife and two children were joined by two Gold Star families. The wife and daughter of U.S. Air Force pararescueman Jason D. Cunningham, who died in 2002, were on the dive trip, as well as the wife of Sergeant First Class Shawn P. McCloskey, Army Special Forces, who died in 2009. "Diving is therapeutic, not just for people with physical injuries," said Solheim. "People experience emotional healing when they're able to spend time with others who've endured similar trauma in their lives."
Window World's chief pilot Johnny Johnston, a retired Army and Vietnam veteran, facilitated the partnership with VAC in 2008. Since then Window World has flown 50 missions. "We're so honored to help these wounded warriors," said Johnston. "As a veteran myself, these trips are extremely rewarding. I'm grateful that Window World has given me the opportunity to meet these extraordinary people."
To learn more about Window World, visit www.WindowWorld.com . To learn more about the VAC, visit www.veteransairlift.org . To learn more about Trident Dive Club, visit www.tridentdiveclub.org .
About Window World, Inc.®
Window World, Inc.®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America's largest replacement window company with stores and offices in more than 200 cities nationwide. Founded in 1995 and led by CEO Tammy Whitworth, the company supplies windows, siding and doors to consumers through its network of stores. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® retail partner. Its window products have earned the Good HousekeepingSeal six years in a row. In 2013 it was "Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors in a Tie" by J.D. Power. Additionally, through its charitable foundation Window World Cares®, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and was named New Corporate Partner of the Year in 2010. For more information about Window World, visit www.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW.
About Veterans Airlift Command:
The Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) facilitates free private air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes. All flights are made available through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. To learn more about the VAC, visit www.veteransairlift.org .
The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com , and via AP PhotoExpress.
Todd Woods Window World, Inc. Phone: 336-667-2100 E-mail: Erika Guess Reed & Associates Marketing for Window World, Inc. Phone: 757-962-7375 E-mail:
