Posted on 11/18/2004 9:18:50 PM PST by Former Military Chick
LANDSTUHL, Germany - When wounded troops arrive at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center they often are wearing the same clothes they were wearing when they were injured; usually a dirty desert camouflage uniform, sometimes just a pair of boxer shorts.
The troops receive a $250 voucher from the Department of Defense.
But they are often unable to make it to the nearest Army and Air Force Exchange Services store at Ramstein Air Base for clothes or toiletries.
That's where Landstuhl's Pastoral Services Department comes in.
Pastoral services runs the Chaplain's Closet, a tiny building packed full of donated clothes, toiletries, books, movies and other personal items.
Lt. Col. Robert Hicks is a chaplain with the Alabama Air Guard. He works with Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force chaplains on getting the troops what they need.
This weekend, volunteers delivered wheelchairs full of items to hundreds of troops who arrived from Fallujah in the past week.
Senior Airman Karly Vogel, who is in the Minnesota Air Guard and is a chaplain's assistant at Landstuhl said the biggest need right now is large and extra-large sweatpants and shirts for Germany's cold weather.
"We rely on donations." she said. "There's so many troops that come through here, we have to work quick to get them what they need."
Col. Eric Holmstrom is an Army reservist who was activated for one year and made chief of pastoral services at Landstuhl.
He said the hospital is a good place to minister, but there are always needs.
"We always have patients," he said. "And we always have a need."
Holmstrom said men's shoes sizes nine to 12 are in high demand as is cash.
Pastoral services only accepts new items. Ongoing needs at the Chaplain's Closet include: men's shoes sizes nine to 12, women's shoes size six to nine, men's and women's winter coats sizes medium through extra-large, and backpacks, gym bags and small suitcases.
Send checks to:
USAREUR Chaplains Fund
Commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Attention: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office
CMR 402 APO AE09180
Done
I will pack a box full of these items and mail them immediately
I don't understand something, you mean the base there does not reissue uniforms,boots and coats?
I just passed this along to my address book. How about sending it to Rush and Sean Hannity and other media types. This needs to be made public. I'm sure there are organizations, churches, companies, etc. that would help ASAP.
help our troops **ping**
I'll send them a check! I'll pass this info along to friends and family.
This is great. The US is such a cool country. Also there is the Wounded Warrior project which provides wounded soldiers and marines with lots of stuff. Tony Snow has links on his website on FOX news.
Short answer: Not exactly.
Soldiers don't go naked at the hospital, but they aren't issued a full complement of either new gear or everything they would like for their personal comfort while recouperating, either.
When soldiers arrive there, they are basically brought in with what they were wearing on the battlefield when they were wounded -- whatever bloody uniform they were wearing and damn little else. They'll get hospital gowns, and maybe scrubs & such. When they move to the convalescence barracks, they'll probably get a replacement uniform or two and maybe PT gear. Since all the rest of their gear is still issued to them (even if it's still in Iraq) it isn't replaced.
As for toiletries -- they probably get the absolute basics on an as-needed basis while admitted to the hospital itself. Soldiers are responsible for buying such items for themselves, even in a war zone (they get a $3.50/day allowance for that kind of subsistence stuff when deployed). Most guys don't have that stuff in their pockets when they get shot on the battlefield, so when they move to the convalescence barracks, they either have to buy it at the hospital PX, or to have it donated by good folks like those in this story. If their mobility keeps them from getting to the PX, they rely entirely on others to help them get it, or donate it, for them. If they want something besides scrubs to wear and can't leave the hospital, they rely on the charity or legwork of others.
The same thing happens at Walter Reed, thought to a lesser extent.
I love a good cause.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Needs
Pastoral Services Department
US HOSPITAL, CMR 402, APO AE 09180
Pastoral Services here at LRMC is dedicated to helping fulfill the mission of our hospital, caring for America's Sons and Daughters.
One facet of our care is supplying our patients with clothing and shoes and personal products which will make their stay here more comfortable. Many of our soldiers come to us with no clothing other than the hospital garments that they're wearing.
Many people and groups are helping us with this task. We thank you for your interest. Your support and willingness to come to their aid will touch many hearts. Following please find a list of our needs and areas where you can help.
PLEASE NOTE: We can only accept new items.
One of the easiest ways to receive your gift is a cash contribution. This can be accomplished by sending us a check made out to "USAREUR Chaplains fund" and sent to the above address. Your funds will be deposited and used to purchase clothing, shoes, and personal items needed to care for our patients here at LRMC.
The shoe sizes most often used for our patients are:
Men's - 9 to 12
Women's - 6 to 9
During the winter we distribute jackets, medium through extra large.
We distribute ruck sacks, gym bags, and small suitcases for clothing storage.
Video Discs (DVD's). We put these out in the wards for the soldiers to watch while in the hospital.
For more information, please feel free to contact our Pastoral Services secretary or our NCOIC at DSN 486-8143 or COMMERICIAL 06371-86-8399
http://www.iraqwarveterans.org/landstuhl_needs.htm
If you have any questions please know that my beloved knows what he speaks of.
A worthy cause
That seems like a very bad policy.I would think that wounded soldier would have everything reissued,and that somebody at that hospital would be in charge of making sure that they get everything they need, especially if they are so hurt that they can't go get it themselves.
But Thank God for the nive volunteers,I' ll try and help.
Well, I would think we would need runners to get the needed supplies instead of donations, don't you think?
Bttt.
My hubby was lucky when he was at Landstuhl. He was able to get to the px and use his voucher. He even took a fellow patient(in a wheelchair) with him. If they have volunteers, why can't they do the shopping for these patients?
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