Missoula Afghan War Vet Honored at White House
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
WASHINGTON - Tristan Perisco of Missoula was honored Tuesday at the White House, receiving a "Champions of Change" award for his work in helping younger generations get involved in outdoor recreation.
Perisco worked with the Montana Wilderness Association to find ways to get veterans into the outdoors, and leads hiking and service trips for returning combat vets. It's personal for him, as an Afghan war veteran who served with the Air Force.
"When I got back from Afghanistan, the one thing that brought me back from the edge was my love for wilderness," he said. "I know if it can mean that much to me, it can mean that much to other veterans."
Perisco said he lost close friends in Afghanistan, and thinking about the peace and beauty of the Montana wilderness he grew up with was always on his mind.
Perisco, a University of Montana student, is studying parks, tourism and recreation management. He said he sees outdoor experiences as a bridge to help combat veterans transition back into civilian life.
"We're giving veterans the opportunities to connect with each other and with Montana's wilderness heritage," he said.
Fourteen "Champions of Change" from around the nation were honored at the White House ceremony.
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