[Riothouse]

Personal products needed for wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed

Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, December 1, 2006

Officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are seeking donations for wounded troops who are forced to leave behind personal belongings when medically evacuated from war zones.

Many of the troops "arrive with nothing," said officials from the hospital's Family Assistance Center. Because of the speed with which the most serious wounded are evacuated from Iraq or Afghanistan, their belongings are often left behind and don't catch up.

So the center is looking for everything from shoes, gloves and winter jackets to postage stamps, prepaid phone cards and razors.

The Family Assistance Center requests that no cash or used items be donated. Among some of the more specialized needs are weightlifting gloves (for use by wheelchair patients); trousers with snaps or zips along the legs; umbrellas; and prepaid gas or grocery cards.

<snip>

Donations can be sent to:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Medical Family Assistance Center
Bldg. 2, 3rd Floor, Room 3E01
6900 Georgia Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

More information on the donation programs and the medical center can be found at: http://wramc.army.mi...Fac1/index2.htm

Link to Article

This is another wonderful opportunity for our men and women in uniform to know that when we say we support them... that we really, truly do.


I don't know why this posted twice... I went to edit it to add the link. This one is correct though.

This post has been edited by Lisa: 08 December 2006 - 11:54 AM

[dixie]

I did it and sent the e-mail to my friends.

Thanks

[idle_observer]

I'll make this brief since as you can tell from the time stamp its really, really late.

I have had some communications with medcial teams both Huoston and Gemany and yes many wounded come in with absolutely nothing. Should you decide to send some creature comforts , please include a letter of encouragement and graditude. The next itme I would suggest , and you will think this is a cruel joke but I'm serious. A bag of white socks. Extended stay patients need socks. they don't have access to laundry facilities and even those who have lost one or both legs try to assimulate.

Since I have broached the topic of med evacs to Germany. I would ask that if you have a loved one serving in harms way, Get yourself a passport. Keep it in the home and not the bank safety deposit box. There are organizations that will expedite your travel overses in case of an emergency . Take the time now to find out who to contact. in your area and have the passport.........it makes thing easier at times of great stress.


just offering my idle obseervations

[Riothouse]

Those are good observations! I totally agree about having your passports in place! That is essential! Also the "trousers with snaps or zips along the legs" is something I have been told is very helpful. If a soldier has a leg wound this will allow him to be more fully dressed when he is up and about and when company is in the room. Let's face it... hospital gowns don't lend much for dignity! Thanks for your thoughts!