[TruthNtegrity]

I "only" handed out 24 cards in Orthopedics and a restricted ward but they cheerfully let me in when I showed them what I had - I just couldn't touch anything, and 16 in Neuroscience.

I discovered that these guys are desperate for some company - someone to talk to, someone to pray for and with them, someone to just BE there. When I would walk into their room, they would have this dour look on their face; when I left, they were smiling. This takes time - so I didn't get to anywhere but Wards 57 and 58 on the 5th floor.

I'm going back tonight and tomorrow afternoon (in the case of Sunday, if the weather lets me.)

I was sort of unprepared for the weight of what Mike had to give me - the pads of paper, pens, pencils and Christmas cards!!! Yesterday, I made it my mission to hand out as many phone cards as I could - and I tell you - the guys in Orthopedics would have done handstands if they could have, they were overjoyed.

I have made it a point at every Nurse's station to emphasize how much is waiting for the guys down in the Red Cross office. I get a pretty blank look, and something like "that's nice to know". - I just didn't know what to do with their response. I think this is why I really need to volunteer at the RC office - but it was closed by the time I made my way to it. I considered visiting with the guys and handing out phone cards my priority yesterday.

As I arrived, I saw Sgt. Santos in a wheelchair being pushed by his wife; they were heading for physical therapy. He told me he's leaving on Monday, 12/16. He's headed for a VA Hospital in Ohio, closer to his home for continued therapy. He's back to thinking he wants to stay in - KEEP PRAYING!

I had missed Ricardo Diaz, but got his address at the VA Hospital where he is now and will send him some of the phonecards that Mike gave me - courtesy of an anonymous FReeper.

I was unprepared for the weight of the items that Mike handed me - and I can't carry a heavy box like that, without risking back damage. When I go back, I'll be prepared with a thick cloth bag and one of those plastic grocery bags, to carry the items in, and make more like an elf again. They are going to love these items as well. And I'll try to get in and out faster, but golly, when they seem so eager to have someone to talk to, it's hard to just give them the stuff and split!

Whoever the anonymous donor is, I would like to thank them for giving me the joy of being able to do what I did yesterday. And to Mike, for buying more pads, pens and cards because he discovered what a hit they were - thank you. I have had the prvilege of seeing these faces, with joy and gratitude written all over them.

Mike, I have a suggestion. I don't have a color printer but if you'd care to print out some of the Canteens, especially from Vet's Day and Thanksgiving, and take them to show them who we are, they love it. I had printed out some of the Galloway thread by way of explaining "who we are", and some of the posts on the Dose. They don't know about us and they sure don't know how much Americans support them. I guess all of them must have been only able to see CNN - and think most Americans are against this war and THEM. That's the important part - we must make it clear that we support their efforts, of eliminating one tyrant at a time, and THEM.

I have more to say, and still have to write up a trip report for the Galloway thread, but I need to leave to finish up for my business especially if we are going to get hit with that "Wintry mix" tomorrow. I don't travel on the roads around here because there are so many furreners from the Sooth who just don't know how to drive in snow and sleet, and either drive too fast (mostly SUV's who think they are immune) and the others who drive too slowly. (If any of you are transplants to this area from the South, forgive me. It's been my experience that Louisianans (sp?) made asy - those from Louisiana, and those from Kentucky just don't know how to drive here.)

Time to leave.

I have the biggest grin on my face, thinking about how thrilled those guys were to get the phonecards yesterday. Everyone of the them in Orthopedics were from somewhere else than this area, and they desperately needed those cards to keep in touch with family.

Goal? Hits floors 3,4, and 6 this weekend.

[Soaring Feather]

Bless you for the wonderful work you are doing.

Thanks so much for the update.

Prayers for the guys in hospitals and on the front lines.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[MEG33]

Thank you for doing this for our guys.God bless you.

[onyx]

You are a saint. God Bless You.

[Darksheare]

Thank you.
And bless you.

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the ping and the report, TNT. Words just cant express the gratitude I feel for your willingness to BE there. Thank you for letting them know that it just isnt you there, but you carry ALL the best wishes of our hearts for each of them.

Thanks.

[blackie]

Congratulations ~ Good job ~ Bump!

[McGavin999]

May God bless you for doing this. You tell those guys how much we love them and how proud we are of them all.

[MJY1288]

God Bless You TruthNtegrity

[baseballmom]

Great report TNt.You're an angel of mercy.

Give them all our love and best wishes

[mystery-ak]

TNt,....if only I lived closer, we would be a great team....an elf, more like an angel...God Bless you..

[DrDeb]

What an angel! You and Mike are quite the team and our injured/recovering soldiers are the better for it!!

God Bless You!

[GailA]

Do you have or could borrow a small suitcase on wheels? Or maybe one of the wheeled kids backpacks? They would make a difference and save your back.

Thank you for going the extra mile for our troops.

[af_vet_1981]

You are great ! Thank you !!

[TexasCowboy]

"I have the biggest grin on my face,"

I know the feeling, TNT!
Everyone should have the joy of doing what you're doing.

God bless you abundantly for your compassion and love.

[prairiebreeze]

they sure don't know how much Americans support them. I guess all of them must have been only able to see CNN - and think most Americans are against this war and THEM.

Oh no! Oh no, oh no, oh no! This distresses me to no end. TNt, please freepmail me with any supplies or things you need. Thanks for letting them know how much we appreciate and are grateful to them. Please keep telling them.

You are the Spirit of Christmas in visiting these brave guys. God Bless You.

Prairie

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

TruthNtegrity,
You are truly an Angel of mercy. I think the visits to Walter Reed require their own after action reports instead of being hidden in various threads.

Folks from the DC Chapter were planning on going to WR yesterday. There was supposed to be a Christmas party.

God bless you.

[Matthew James]

bttt -- and Thank You!