WEBVTT 00:00.620 --> 00:03.653 - I want forwards in those two corners. 00:04.820 --> 00:06.620 Defense out in the circle. 00:06.620 --> 00:08.870 - [Narrator] Jason Steiner gives his team their orders 00:08.870 --> 00:11.431 as they take to the ice at a recent practice. 00:11.431 --> 00:13.320 (stick hits puck) 00:13.320 --> 00:15.090 These men and women make up the team 00:15.090 --> 00:18.067 of military veterans known as the Nebraska Warriors. 00:18.067 --> 00:19.880 (whistle blows) 00:19.880 --> 00:22.480 It's all part of the USA Hockey sanctioned program 00:22.480 --> 00:24.870 for both abled and disabled veterans. 00:24.870 --> 00:27.800 - With the team, it's about hockey, 00:27.800 --> 00:29.970 but that's not our primary focus. 00:29.970 --> 00:32.320 Our primary focus is to help the veterans. 00:32.320 --> 00:35.110 To give them the outlet for exercise, 00:35.110 --> 00:37.040 and to give them some place to be 00:37.040 --> 00:38.610 with their brothers and sisters. 00:38.610 --> 00:40.730 - [Narrator] Robert Cludinski, also known as Sam 00:40.730 --> 00:42.960 to his teammates, was awarded a Purple Heart 00:42.960 --> 00:45.580 for being wounded several times in Afghanistan. 00:45.580 --> 00:47.903 He says he suffers from a traumatic brain injury, 00:47.903 --> 00:51.490 PTSD, and he almost lost one of his legs. 00:51.490 --> 00:53.020 - Keep going, keep going Sam. 00:53.020 --> 00:54.590 - [Narrator] He says being part of the team is 00:54.590 --> 00:56.470 better than therapy, because some of these guys 00:56.470 --> 00:57.840 have similar stories. 00:57.840 --> 00:59.600 And because they understand what he went through, 00:59.600 --> 01:01.430 it's easier to talk to them. 01:01.430 --> 01:02.330 - Oh, it's amazing. 01:02.330 --> 01:03.163 It really is. 01:03.163 --> 01:06.400 It helps out dramatically from day to day basis. 01:06.400 --> 01:08.000 I mean it's... 01:08.000 --> 01:10.560 Just for me in general, it's helped me out so much 01:10.560 --> 01:13.670 that I don't have near as many problems 01:13.670 --> 01:15.260 mentally as I used to. 01:15.260 --> 01:16.850 It's just the comradery that you had 01:16.850 --> 01:18.410 when you were in the service, 01:18.410 --> 01:20.590 and you put on a uniform everyday, 01:20.590 --> 01:22.270 and you go to work, and you see your brothers. 01:22.270 --> 01:23.860 It's the same exact thing here. 01:23.860 --> 01:25.130 - [Narrator] If you'd like to join a team, 01:25.130 --> 01:27.410 but you're worried you might not be good enough. 01:27.410 --> 01:28.243 - It doesn't matter 01:28.243 --> 01:30.900 what your playing experience is, 01:30.900 --> 01:35.640 what your experience around hockey is in general. 01:35.640 --> 01:37.440 We just foster the relationship, 01:37.440 --> 01:39.850 and welcome them in with open arms. 01:39.850 --> 01:41.770 Even if they don't have any hockey gear, 01:41.770 --> 01:44.070 we will supply hockey gear for you. 01:44.070 --> 01:46.690 - We have anybody that is- 01:46.690 --> 01:49.100 that's played super high level hockey, 01:49.100 --> 01:52.150 all the way down to guys that have never skated before. 01:52.150 --> 01:53.840 - [Narrator] They say the reason they're here is 01:53.840 --> 01:57.030 to encourage each other on and off the ice. 01:57.030 --> 01:59.940 Like when Sam fell during the skating drill, 01:59.940 --> 02:01.820 tapping their sticks on the ice 02:01.820 --> 02:03.033 as a sign of support. 02:04.380 --> 02:06.610 - And it means a lot to have the senior 02:06.610 --> 02:08.380 or more veteran players who've 02:09.310 --> 02:12.006 progressed throughout the years in hockey to help me out. 02:12.006 --> 02:14.250 (whistle blows) 02:14.250 --> 02:18.870 - So our organization brings these people together 02:18.870 --> 02:20.740 on the ice in that team atmosphere, 02:20.740 --> 02:22.460 but we also offer support programs 02:22.460 --> 02:26.560 such as roll call programs, musters, 02:26.560 --> 02:28.570 and multiple different other activities 02:28.570 --> 02:30.420 as a group to help get our name out. 02:30.420 --> 02:33.050 And realize, or help the veteran community realize 02:33.050 --> 02:34.800 that we're here to help, 02:34.800 --> 02:36.810 and we're not asking for anything, 02:36.810 --> 02:37.960 but for you to raise your hand 02:37.960 --> 02:40.505 and say, "I would like to be a part of it." 02:40.505 --> 02:41.338 (whistle blows) 02:41.338 --> 02:42.421 - Go Shootie! 02:44.870 --> 02:47.220 - And if you'd like to support the Nebraska Warriors, 02:47.220 --> 02:49.100 they'll be playing a game right here on the ice 02:49.100 --> 02:52.040 after the Lancer game November 2nd at 7 p.m. 02:52.040 --> 02:53.680 Reporting from the Ralston Arena, 02:53.680 --> 02:56.750 I'm J.B. Artley for the 55th Wing Public Affairs 02:56.750 --> 02:59.050 where the sun never sets on the fightin' 55th.