America Supports You: Volunteerism Benefits Troops Recovering at Walter Reed

American Forces Press Service ^ | Samantha L. Quigley

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2007 –

Volunteers for "Comfort for America's Uniformed Services" hold up videos and games donated by hockey fans at a Washington Capitals game at the Verizon Center, Feb. 8, 2007. Photo by Carmen L. Gleason  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Since Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom began, patriotic Americans have stood at the ready, willing to provide servicemembers with comfort and support.

"The Defense Department is grateful for what people are doing across the country to support our troops and their families in a variety of ways - sending cards and letters to our deployed forces, supporting the wounded, providing scholarships for family members and offering assistance in many other ways," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. "Volunteers matter."

 

Biographies:
Allison Barber

Related Sites:
Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services
Wounded Warrior Project
Angels of Mercy
America Supports You

Army Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun (left) leads the Soldier Ride 2005 group into downtown Baltimore on July 11, 2005. The ride, which started in Los Angeles on May 21 and ended in Montauk, N.Y., July 18, included wounded soldiers, sailors and Marines, their families, and active-duty volunteers. Participants in Soldier Ride were raising money for the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project. Photo by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

Marian Chirichella and her husband, Jay Edwards, pose with the three large sheet cakes their organization, Angels of Mercy, provided for the Super Bowl XXXIX party for servicemembers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Mologne House hotel in Washington on Feb. 6, 2005. The couple launched Angels of Mercy under the sponsorship of American Legion Post 270 Auxiliary Unit in McLean, Va., in November 2003. Chirichella is the auxiliary president; Edwards is vice commander of Post 270. Photo by Rudi Williams   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution