TICONDEROGA, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Wounded veterans and their families recently took a trip back in time at Fort Ticonderoga with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). The outing gave warriors an opportunity to experience something unique while connecting with other service members.

Injured veterans recently toured Fort Ticonderoga with Wounded Warrior Project in Ticonderoga, N.Y. During the tour, warriors saw many areas and features, including officers’ quarters. Image provided by warrior Eddie Carliell. (PRNewsFoto/Wounded Warrior Project)

Participants watched live shooting demonstrations, learned about how battles were fought during the Revolutionary War era, and received a tour of the fort from a guide dressed in traditional clothing from that time period.

“This place is absolutely amazing and rich with history,” said Army veteran Eddie Carliell. “We were given a tour by the curator of the fort, and he really knew his stuff. There was a musket on display, and we learned about some of the tactics used back in the day.”

During the tour, warriors saw many areas and features of the fort, including officers’ quarters, weaponry of the time period, and a platform where the American flag flies toward Lake Champlain with Mount Defiance in the background.

Another special treat for the warriors included seeing a Ferguson rifle, which was one of the first breech-loading rifles used in battle. Breech-loading rifles are loaded with bullets at the back of the gun instead of the front. This type of rifle allows for faster loading and quicker firing.

“My favorite thing I saw at the fort was the Ferguson rifle,” said Eddie, a firearms enthusiast. “I’ve never seen anything like it, and it looked like it was in working shape, too.”

Thanks to generous donors, WWP programs are free to warriors and provide an opportunity to enjoy unique experiences like this with other injured veterans in all stages of recovery.

Isolation is one of the biggest challenges wounded warriors deal with after serving their country. It can be difficult knowing how to overcome this barrier to recovery and rekindle bonds similar to those formed in the military.

WWP programs offer settings that provide opportunities for warriors to recreate those bonds, and are personalized to enable warriors, caregivers, and family members to reach educational and employment goals, and recover physically, mentally, and emotionally.