The Wounded Warrior Patrol was formed based on the initial ties between the military and the National Ski Patrol. With Minnie Dole, founder of the National Ski Patrol, making the presentation to the United States War Department recommending the organization of a mountain warfare unit, which in turn led to the predecessor of the elite 10th Mountain Division, the National Ski Patrol and United States Military became permanently entwined. It is the efforts of those returning veterans that helped build the ski industry in the United States to what it is today. In homage to those veterans of the Greatest Generation, the Wounded Warrior Patrol was formed based on the need to pay it forward to out Wounded Warriors of this generation. Though the organization was founded by members of the National Ski Patrol, only executive board members are required to be so registered (one exception being a deceased board member's spouse). Members-at-large, steering committee members (committee heads) and committee members are welcome regardless of affiliation.