WfW CAV Event Pics & Testimonials, 102d Infantry CT ARNG, March 2022

Comments from the soldiers of the 102d Infantry, March 2022

“I loved every single thing I experienced with acupuncture: My stress level instantly wound down and I felt a lot calmer.  My low back feels a lot better already!”
–R

“Just got back from a long deployment away from my family.  The acupuncture provided by Sensei and Warriors for Warriors really helped reduce my anxiety, and my pain, especially in my back.”
–D

“Wow! I can’t believe how calm I feel!  My pain is totally gone!  First experience of acupuncture.  Will definitely do it again.”
–G

WfW Testimonials, November 2021

Sensei David LoPriore, L.Ac. of Warriors for Warriors has saved my life on multiple occasions!  His acupuncture and counselling over the past 25 years are simply the reason I am still here to enjoy my life, my wife and family, and the things I love.  I have been receiving acupuncture treatment, counselling, and self-help training from him the whole time, which stopped me from trying to slowly kill myself with drugs and alcohol due to Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and severe chronic pain from Vietnam.  After months away and one particularly close call with death, I called Sensei again, and got back in for treatments.  That was four years ago and I haven’t had a drink since!  I am grateful to Warriors for Warriors (WfW) beyond words for supporting Sensei’s efforts for all veterans for the past 7 years.  WfW has made at least 200 free treatments with Sensei available to me.

I was a U.S. Navy Seabee in Vietnam.  Did two nine-month tours.  The first day I got there I watched a whole U.S. troop transport plane crash and explode.  I was 22.  We worked combat engineering missions 11-hour days, 6 ½ days/week, and took mortar rounds from the enemy 5 or 6 nights a week to make sure we never slept well.  The stress was off the charts.  I hurt my back there, and combined with my exhaustion, drugs and alcohol, and always pushing myself hard, it never healed right.  When I finally happily returned from Vietnam I was spit on and called a “baby killer” by American citizens.  Even the other veterans hated us Vietnam vets.  So, I hid in a cabin in the mountains for a long time and turned to drugs and alcohol in a big way.  That didn’t help!

The only thing that has truly helped me are the treatments from Sensei LoPriore.  His acupuncture is amazing.  It virtually eliminates my back pain, headaches, neck, and leg pain every time, and it lets me sleep!  Sensei’s counselling is always on target.  He “holds up the mirror and shows me the truth” so I can get my head right.  I cannot express my gratitude for Warriors for Warriors strongly enough!! Thank you.

-Ackley H.

November, 2021

WfW Testimonials, October 2020

“Before I found Warriors for Warriors, I suffered with many injuries from my tour in Iraq in 2008-2009.  I was in the Army’s 340th Military Police Company, fighting alongside the US Army Infantry, and teaching Iraqi police.  We did many patrols.  I was hit by multiple IED and EFP explosions that caused me several injuries, and killed multiple buddies in front of me. There was a constant feeling of the unknown and hyper vigilance in Iraq for that year, and ever since I’ve been home. It was literally ‘hell’ in Iraq.

From my deployment, I suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury, severe back and leg pain— I couldn’t walk more than ten minutes without having to sit down.  I couldn’t sleep, was constantly exhausted, couldn’t think straight, and had PTSD.  I was depressed and suicidal.

Acupuncture treatments, counselling, and PTSD Wellness Training from Warriors for Warriors’ Sensei David LoPriore, L.Ac. literally saved my life! – They prevented me from committing suicide. I have much less pain in every area and am much more functional.  I have learned many techniques I use daily to help my body and mind. My service dog Hero helps me tremendously too. Before I had him, I was lost.  All this help has been even more essential due to COVID-19.  Thank you to Warriors for Warriors, and to all who assist and support them in their work.”

-Harris, 2020

WfW Testimonials, February 2017

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS 103D AIRLIFT WING (ANG)
100 NICHOLSON ROAD
EAST GRANBY, CONNECTICUT 06026-9303

David Lopriore, L.Ac
Warriors for Warriors
c/o Acupuncture, Shiatsu & Oriental Medicine of New England
339 Flanders Road, Suite 107
East Lyme, CT 06333

February 15, 2017

Dear David:

Thanks again for you and your colleagues giving your time and services to our Airmen.
We heard good feedback from the participants and I expect you may hear from some who wish to continue to receive services.

Per our MWR Committee, we are pleased to offer you a donation. Enclosed is a check as a sign of our appreciation for your work, as well as a contribution for all of you to continue your great work on behalf of other veterans.

I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely

//signed//
Linda U. McEwen, LCSW
Director of Psychological Health
Connecticut Air National Guard
103 Airlift Wing
100 Nicholson Rd. East Granby, CT
//phone//
//fax//

WfW Testimonials, January 2017

January 20, 2017

To Whom It May Concern:

I write this open letter in support of Mr. David LoPriore, L.Ac. and the important work that his Warriors for Warriors (WfW) is doing for the military and civilian communities. He is an acupuncturist with 25 years’ experience treating military service members and veterans with PTS and many other service-connected illnesses and injuries. I have been privileged to know and work with David, whose nonprofit organization WfW brings real relief to suffering veterans. And I count myself among them.

As a military leader with 35 years of service, coupled with the last 10 years as the Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) for Connecticut, advocating for veterans and their families, I have always tried to find innovative and trusting ways to help members of the military community to find peace and wellness after the ravages of war.

One of the most difficult aspects of command and advocacy is seeing soldiers return from battle with serious physical and emotional wounds. While the VA can help some of them, they can’t do it all—and often, the issue comes down to getting the reluctant veteran through the doors of the VA to seek help!

Thanks to David and his WfW staff’s efforts, soldiers at central locations throughout the state are receiving innovative acupuncture treatments for PTS, TBIs, chronic pain, insomnia, and other grave conditions. I was skeptical at first, but soon became a believer in this holistic alternate form of therapy, after receiving treatments myself, with tremendously positive effects that lasted longer than I anticipated. The treatments had a very positive calming effect that carried through for several days, along with a positive sense of well-being.

I have had the opportunity to talk with many other soldiers who received acupuncture treatments, and they were all pleasantly surprised and thankful for this effective alternative  therapy. I was pleased with the comments conveyed to me that the soldiers almost immediately felt the benefits of the treatment, and that those benefits were long lasting.

WfW has offered free acupuncture events at the Hartford Armory, Rocky Hill Veterans Hospital, for several CTARNG and other military units, and many groups of veterans all over Connecticut and Rhode Island. David and his staff have personally administered more than 1,200 free acupuncture treatments to veterans with PTS and many other issues.

I am happy to report that WfW is actively receiving veteran referrals from the VA’s Veteran’s Choice Program for David’s expertise in successfully treating PTS, TBI, anxiety, depression, anger, hyper-vigilance, insomnia, addiction, chronic pain and other co-occurring psychological and physical symptoms of service. David has gone above and beyond the call of duty to develop the effective protocols and treatments that are making a real difference for our veterans.

Veteran suicide is unacceptable, and we must work harder to treat its root causes before veterans are in crisis. I know David LoPriore’s work does just that. Now it is time for us to step up and help fund his work, and expand it to help even more veterans by spreading the word about this tremendously effective alternative therapy! He has my total support.

//signed//

Daniel J. McHale, Brigadier General USA (Ret-CT)

President, Connecticut Chapter, AUSA

Former Transition Assistant Advisor, Connecticut

WfW Testimonials, January 2017

Dave,

I just wanted to take a moment and say Thank You!  

I had serious doubts (as I imagine a lot do) on the effectiveness of acupuncture.  But after my session I have no doubts this works.  And it works well.  For two nights in a row now I’ve slept through the night!  It’s been a VERY long time since that’s happened.  Everyone I’ve spoken to who attended that day echo the same thing.  

Thanks again for taking the time to travel up here and spend your day with us.  It was a true pleasure talking to you and your team.  You’ve really opened my eyes to a whole new world of a very  effective method of treatment.  The selflessness of you and your team is greatly appreciated.

//SIGNED//
WALTER R. LEVANTOVICH, LtCol, CTANG
Director of Operations, 103 OSS

WfW Testimonials, July 2016

WfW hosted a terrific “Veterans PTS Wellness though Inner Warriorship” training day Saturday at Devil’s Hopyard State Park in Hadlyme, CT. 15 veterans came and enjoyed excellent PTS wellness and warriorship training, some great new camaraderie, and a great lunch from Illiano’s Niantic. Not to mention the 60′ waterfall. David LoPriore Sensei, L.Ac., WfW CEO & Director of Operations, was the instructor. Veterans present learned 6 different samurai and zen meditation techniques, and two different Asian medical acupressure techniques: one for chronic pain, and one for PTS, anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia, and overall wellness and vitality.

Some of the veterans’ testimonials are enclosed below.

WfW Testimonials, July 2016

One of the biggest factors in my success through treatments with David LoPriore Sensei has been his compassionate counseling combined with skillful acupuncture.

I had Transverse Global Amnesia when I first saw him, which meant I couldn’t remember large parts of my past, including some of my traumatic military experiences, and had recent episodes of memory loss attacks. Since I have gotten treatment from Sensei, I have had no such attacks. Western medicine doctors had no way to treat my condition. They just kept giving me pills, and I just kept having symptoms. The holistic approach used by LoPriore Sensei really works! It has helped me to focus so much better and stay present “in the day I’m in”.
The Wellness through Warriorship retreat I attended 9 July really helped me tremendously, especially all of the various types of meditation instruction given. Sensei made the meditation techniques accessible and easy to learn, even though they are truly powerful tools to help my mind.
Through WfW, Sensei has given me the ability to reach out to my brothers in arms, and it feels soooooo good to be of service again. The introductions each veteran gave to start the training day gave a feeling of open-hearted sharing between fellow brother warriors. It became even easier to open up as the day of meditation progressed.
I’m looking forward to our next retreat 17 September!

-Ernie Bauer

Former Navy SEAL/UDT Frogman


The CAV events which include free acupuncture, have helped me tremendously, regarding issues of PTS. Recently I attended a “Wellness through Inner Warriorship” training event. Devil’s Hopyard was a beautiful setting for learning meditation and acupressure techniques. Surrounded by fellow veterans working through similar issues was a comfortable environment that put all of us at ease, and led us to interesting discussion and brotherhood.

Thank you Sensei for your care and thoughfulness. The efforts that you have made in reaching out to all of us, have helped me in my adjustment process, readjustment into society and family life. It has been my pleasure to have met you and be introduced to so many brothers. I truly appreciate all the efforts of this program and your personal commitment to all the Vets.
Sincerely,
SFC Ross Aiello
CT ARNG


At my first Community Acupuncture for Veterans (CAV) treatment in June, I was invited to attend a retreat for PTSD on 09 Jul. As a member with non-combat related PTSD I was curious as to how acupuncture could relieve physical as well as emotional stress. After 2 acupuncture treatments and attending one retreat, I have a noticeable improvement in physical symptoms and a different perspective for emotional issues that 3 1/2 years of medication and therapy couldn’t provide. Going to the CAV for the first time was a turning point for me. There’s no pressure to talk about what happened to you, or explain anything. I could simply be quiet and supported by a group of caring people. That’s why I decided to go to the retreat, and I was so very glad I did. Instead of putting the events behind me like I’d been trying to do for years, everything bubbled up and spilled over at this retreat but I didn’t have to talk about it. There was no judgment from others and no pressure. The idea and practice of quieting the mind is the most important tool and idea I took home from that day. We all received an acupressure tool which I’ve used several times in one week. Our community is fortunate to have the Warriors for Warriors organization. It is one of a kind and I hope the idea and support spreads nationwide. While I’m approaching retirement and relocation, I intend to receive CAV treatments as long as possible and attend upcoming retreats for PTSD. The supportive members of WfW along with Sensei LoPriore’s combination of experience and intuition make CAV a special and beneficial bi-weekly event for vets.

Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S.C.G.


I came to CAV with extreme back pain and upper leg pain due to spinal stenosis. Between several CAV treatments and 6 private treatments with Sensei LoPriore, I have gone from 6 Oxycodone/day to up to three days in a row with NONE! 🙂

George Jacobsen

USNR

68-74


I came to CAV for relief with lower back and hip pain. In one treatment, I feel very calm and my back and hip pain feel better.

Andre Martin

US Army


I came to CAV for relief with PTSD, lower back pain, and sleep issues. In ONE treatment, my back pain went from a 6/10 to a 1/10! And I am a lot more relaxed.

Rodney Davis

US Army, 1988-1990, 2000-present


A testimonial for CAV free acupuncture treatment:

I came to CAV for treatment of tendinitis and PTSD.

I was unsure how acupuncture could treat PTSD. With one CAV treatment, and one retreat / training day on 9 July, it allowed unresolved emotions to surface and release. Exposure to new and varied methods of treating PTSD may improve my emotional and mental well-being as well as my physical issues.

BT
20 years combined, US Navy and US Coast Guard


The WfW Wellness through Inner Warriorship Training Event 9 July 2016 was awesome! Sensei LoPriore really helped me understand my PTS. He totally understands veterans and what they are going through. This event helped me feel hopeful about my depression, anxiety and chronic pain.

Sensei LoPriore is very knowledgeable in Asian medicine, meditation, and acupressure as well as an expert in treating PTSD. We learned six different meditation techniques all of which are easy to apply. I also realized how busy my mind was! But I feel with these techniques it will help me greatly. We also learned Acupressure and how to apply it. Sensei LoPriore is a great teacher and provides a great atmosphere for all the veterans. It was great to actually hear from veterans who have found relief through Sensei LoPriore. I felt very encouraged.
In the future I will attend the free acupuncture and meditation sessions which are twice a month.

Scott O’Donnell

6 years, CT Army National Guard

30 years, Retired Police Officer


On Saturday, 9 Jul 2016, I participated in the WfW Wellness through Warriorship Training Day. It was an excellent day training. Highlights for me were:

1. Introduction from each veteran participant. The comments were honest, open and assuring in that we shared the military (experience).

2. The meditation exercises throughout the day were relaxing.

3. The analysis of the ear acupressure points was most informative.

4. I am only beginning to understand the Five Elemental Constitutional Medicine theory as it relates to PTS and would look forward to greater studies.
Thank you, Dave for an amazing opportunity to participate in these events.

–Phil M.

Army Infantry Officer, 1967-1980