Personal products needed for wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed

[lebkuchen]

This notice is in today's Stars & Stripes European edition. I am posting it because I think it is ludicrous that the most well-financed Dept. of Defense in the history of the world is reduced to asking for donations on behalf of our wounded at Walter Reed. A couple of years ago walking wounded arriving to Landstuhl were given a $250 voucher to buy what they needed at the base PX at Ramstein before flying stateside. At the time, soldiers had to dress in civilian clothes before heading home, but I think that rule has since been rescinded. I used to think it was because Rummy et al wanted to promote the military uniform in public places to enhance recruitment quotas. Now I think it's because the DoD simply can't afford the $250 vouchers anymore. Now we're being asked to donate for umbrellas and weight lifting gloves for those who are wheelchair-bound. Is it not time for America's carpet-bagging contractors, such as Halliburton and Poppy's Carlyle Group, to turn over war profits for such a noble cause?

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.

The center also helps patients file claims for personal belongings that were left behind during a medical evacuation. Loss or damage to items can be reimbursed through the system.

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.mil/Soldiers/MedFac1/index2.htm

[Horse with no Name]

1. What a worthy cause

Supporting our troops.
However, we are being literally asked to SUPPORT our troops while our government supports our military AND contractors.
This is beyond the pale.

[alstephenson]

2. It's pathetic......

that these poor soldiers don't get the support they need and deserve.

[Beaverhausen]

3. It would be easier to send cash and have someone there buy...

...what they need.

Just sayin'

[cynatnite]

4. This is just sickening

:grr:

We are such a bankrupt nation not just financially, but morally.

:puke:

[twilight_sailing]

5. Soldiers buy their own razor blades

I had an ulcer when I was in the Army and spent a few days in the Hospital. The government did not issue me a razor and shaving cream during my hospital stay and I didn't expect them to. Soldiers buy their own personal items.

And somehow I found that it really wasn't that much trouble to send a big box of razors off to Walter Reed this afternoon. It was easy. I didn't even break a sweat. ;)

[Miss Chybil]

7. When I was in the Army hospital, I had to clean my own room!

Of course, I still had all my parts. Anyway, this sounds like a good program to me. I just wish the military spent more on the troops and less on Halliburton. Ah, maybe Halliburton cleans hospital rooms, too? For about $5,000.00 per hour, I'm sure.

[caligirl]

8. at Tripler army Med Center on Oahu, female patients were made to

get up and make their own beds on day one post partum. (post delivery of their baby)

[Miss Chybil]

9. I believe it. nt

[twilight_sailing]

6. Well, what have you got to say now?