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ALOHA RONNIE, xzins, Calpernia - Ragtime Cowgirl asked me to request that you use your ping lists for me?

I visited Walter Reed on Saturday, 12/20/03 afternoon with a FR lurker friend, for about 2 hours and the guys in Orthopedics and Neuroscience, 57 and 58 respectively, are getting sweats and a wonderful BASKET of goodies, all wrapped in cellophane: candy, crackers, a pad of paper, a short pencil (and I mean short), a pocket notebook, a pocket New Testament, and a "Daily Bread" a daily guide for prayers with Scripture, from the USO, as they arrive.

The young Navy aviation guy I visited (from the base where I worked the most over 12 years of a specific system, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, had been given this basket and sweats and socks by - can you guess? THE USO!!!!!

So, feeling like I'm among my own - I LOVE Navy folks - I asked him if he'd heard or seen a list that the Red Cross have for him. He said, "Nope". With all the broken bones from the waist down - tailbone, pelvis, right ankle, both bones in lower left leg, he isn't exactly walking yet. His accident occurred on Thanksgiving. (This enforced my decision to volunteer in the RC office at WRAMC after the holidays, and my business will allow me the time.)

The good news here is that his buddy was taken to Bethesda and is still there, but will be coming over to WR for physical therapy shortly after the New Year. Why do I say "good news"? Because I have been looking for the name of a Navy guy, in order to visit Bethesda. I wrote down the name of his buddy, and will take supplies and phonecards to him very soon.

It appears that Navy, AF, Army and Marines are being sent to WRAMC. In some cases, it is to keep guys who were injured together, in the same Hospital together; in other cases, it is because WRAMC is better equipped to handle their particular injuries. I noticed that once again, Orthopedics and Neuroscience are full, with the exception of only a couple beds in each.

On Friday, Mr. Silverback had sent me a FReepmail, and asked me to visit someone from his hometown and passed a message for me to take to him. Using a friend's computer, I wrote it, enlarged it in the largest type possible, so that it filled the entire page, and took it to him. He has also told me this Sgt.'s "story".

Here it is:
"I will try to contact his folks and get a floor and/or room number. His name is Sgt. S. and he's from the 110th Military Intelligence Battalion in the 10th Mountain Division. [snip - removed item for privacy reasons.] He has a lot of shrapnel in his legs. Somebody threw a grenade into his vehicle; his buddy could have thrown it out but there was a crowd of civilians near them and he was afraid they'd get wounded. So basically, his buddy gave up three fingers on one hand to save those civilian lives, and both he and Sgt. S. took shrapnel in the legs."

"Message is below my signature, and thanks a bunch for delivering it. Oh, and before you ask...the Pretzels are our local High School football team. You're not allowed to make fun, they go deep into the playoffs every year. :-)

God Bless,
Mr. S. "

Sgt. S.,

You are a hero proved in liberating strife and we simply can't thank you enough for your sacrifice on behalf of our nation. The people of Stephenson County are praying for you, and we hope you will be healed soon. Climb to Glory, and Go Pretzels!

{Signed by Mr. Silverback and his family}
IL

When I got to his room, he was lying on top of his covers, so that the shrapnel scars were visible - there was an area of dark scarring every 2 inches on his legs. His buddy, a Marine Cpl, was sitting in a wheelchair near the side of the bed, and Sgt. S. had another visitor, a pretty young gal - didn't get her name as she was on the telephone when we arrived, and when she got off, Sgt. S. and "Bones", the nickname of the Marine Cpl. and I were already talking.

I wish I could describe the Sgt.'s face. He couldn't believe that absolute strangers, clear across the Country, would print out this message, make the trip to WRAMC and bring this to him. As he hugged the paper to his heart, I could do nothing but stand there, smiling back at his grinning face!!

His buddy was sitting in a wheelchair nearby- Cpl. T., the one who lost 3 fingers on his left hand (big bandage, his arm ended in round end, making it look more like he's lost his hand than 3 fingers) and badly scarred legs, like his buddy, Sgt. S.

We gave out cards (Christmas, special occasion, note cards which he picked out), a pad of paper, pens, and those dearly-loved prepaid-phone cards to Sgt. S. (These items have been given to me to pass out by FReepers "calawah98" and "MJY1288". I had added more pens and Christmas cards, as they are really popular!)

When I offered the same to "Bones" - the so young-looking Marine Cpl., he had the saddest expression on his face and a "down" voice, as he said "I don't have anyone to write, or anyone to call." I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and quickly got a grip. They see tears, they think it's "pity" and I will NOT cry in front of them.

As I prepared to leave, I told both Sgt. S. and the Marine Cpl. that I would be back on Christmas Day. The Cpl. looked up at me pitifully, and says, "Really? You'd come to see strangers on Christmas Day?" I told him, "Yup, I don't have family in the area and you guys have become my family. I worked on Military contracts, defense contracts for 28 years of my life, and I love our Military. Besides, I've met you, and we are no longer strangers, are we?" His eyes filled with tears. I had to look away or mine would, too!

In all, we visited a bunch of guys - one, badly injured from a grenade or mine: really damaged hearing, face injuries, arms and legs in casts, very close to Nurse's Station, so you know he's critical and among the newest. All he wanted was a phone card. I handed him two and was rewarded with an attempt at a smile.

As dinner ws being served, my friend and I talked with a Nurse at Orthopedics. I asked her if she would mind giving out the rest of the cards. No matter how many we gave away, it seemed as though there were more than we had arrived with. I felt like I was watching the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, as God multiplied what we had, as we gave it away. I still have prepaid phone cards left, I still have pens, pads of paper, and of course, the cards. I handed the Nurse the remaining packages of cards (still 3 sets) and boxes of pens. She immediately bustled off to the other side of the hallway, and went into a ward of 4, to start handing out the cards, as I had explained we hadn't made it down that hallway, and needed to leave.

I had showed the "Support our Troops" note card that Angelwood had made up and given me a dozen of them on Thanksgiving, to the Navy guy I had discovered in the Orthopedics ward, and it so clearly explains who "we" are. The young Chief Petty Officer, Aviation, had requested that I leave it with him when I left. I'm really short on these and am thinking I'll take the one I have left and have some copies made!....unless I can meet up with Angelwood somewhere and get some more. Hint, hint, hint?

Anyway, I went back to his room to give him the note - and didn't stay, as he was about to dive into what looked to be a delicious, full tray of food. He said, when I inquired how it was, "It's darn good for Hospital food!" - and I handed him the card. His smile was priceless as I reminded him I'd see him Christmas day.

Unbelievably, I still have note cards, pens and pads of paper that I've added to the collection I've been given to hand out, and will take them with me on Christmas Day, along with Hostess Pastry, and a box of chips I will have for them. I can barely wait. I found out that chips are something they never see, and can't wait to take my own donation for them! I have one soldier who requested an ice cold Mt. Dew and will be happy to oblige that request. Their desires are so simple - such easy things to bring.

I also want to give thanks for a gift from TEXOKIE. When I've used it, I'll report on it. FReepers are the most generous people in the world, and I am so fortunate that I get to be the one taking these gifts to the guys, I am the one who gets to see them and shake their hand, and thank them for their service to our Country. Our warrior heroes are always so touched that someone they don't know, would send them gifts, that they would ask someone living nearby to come in and distribute these gifts. I am truly blessed to be the bearer of your good will. Thank you all.