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Message From Post 270
Last
October the American Red Cross Station Manager at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center [WRAMC] contacted American Legion National Headquarters asking for
help in supporting our wounded and injured Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]
and Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF] [Afghanistan] who are undergoing
treatment and rehabilitation at WRAMC. National passed the request to the
Departments surrounding WRAMC and it eventually ended at our Post and
Auxiliary for action.
Here is a quick summary of what we have been able to accomplish. At the
end of this e-mail we will be inviting you to partner with us to continue
the effort:
Members of our Post and Auxiliary have become certified Red Cross
Volunteers and visit the wounded at bedside at least once a week
delivering items that have been donated by Posts and Auxiliaries and other
generous citizens. We are happy to report that every OIF/OEF man and woman
at WRAMC currently has access to whatever basic clothing items they
need while staying at WRAMC - hats, gloves, jackets, sweat suits,
underwear, socks, and … an alternative to those hospital gowns.
We have also been able to "adopt" the military families at the two WRAMC
Fisher Houses - a 3rd is opening in March on the WRAMC campus. As you
know, Fisher Houses are like Ronald McDonald houses. Fisher Houses at
WRAMC have taken on a unique function in that families of the wounded stay
there when their soldiers first arrive at WRAMC from Iraq - via Germany.
The soldiers are generally in serious condition or awaiting operations.
These are young families living on a military salary while staying at
WRAMC and are still supporting a home elsewhere. We are able to provide
some food and supplies for the shared kitchens, and basic clothing needs
for wives, mothers and children.
We provided over 500 presents to the military and their families at
Christmas time and helped serve brunch to those unable to get home for the
holidays.
We want to let you know that you can be very, very proud of the young
men and women who are protecting our freedom [average age 23]. We have
now talked to hundreds of the wounded and injured and have not heard a
single word of anger or bitterness. Rather, they are quick to praise
America, consider their job to be "the best in the World," and say "thank
you" for the very modest items that we bring them.
We wish our job were finished. But two planes arrived last week and we are
meeting at least two more planes of wounded next week. We will be there as
long as the need is there. Unfortunately, the generosity we saw during the
Holiday Season has slowed to a trickle while the number of wounded and
injured continues to climb to well over 2000 treated at WRAMC. Please note
that should wounded Navy and Marines be brought to the nearby Naval
Hospital at Bethesda, MD, we will be there to support them also. However,
there are no OIF/OEF at Bethesda at this time.
This is where you can help. We invite you to partner with us and
other Posts and Auxiliary Units to make sure that this effort continues.
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
It takes about $100 per person to provide hats, gloves, jackets, sweat
suits, underwear, socks, etc., plus some personal entertainment items. We
try to supply each OIF/OEF family at the Fisher Houses with about $10 in
food items per week. Any donations toward these efforts would be
well-received.
The list of items needed by our wounded military changes on a regular
basis, but the following list of needed items remains constant: exercise
shorts, colored/pocketed T-shirts, boxer shorts, full-zippered light
weight jackets - all in medium and large, ankle-high socks;
wheelchair/weightlifting gloves, and personal items: disposable cameras,
VHS videos, personal CD players, popular CDs, handheld games, portable
radios to help pass the time as many of the wounded are currently confined
to bed; electric razors are also helpful.
If you would like to purchase any of these items and send them to American
Legion Auxiliary Unit 270, Post Office Box 3310, McLean, VA 22102,
we will personally deliver them to the OIF/OEF military at WRAMC
[or Bethesda Naval Hospital] in your name.
You could also send a check to our address with instructions as to how the
money is to be applied, and we will purchase items according to your
instructions. Checks may be made out to American Legion Auxiliary Unit
270 with a notation For OIF/OEF. Mail checks to Post Office Box 3310,
McLean, VA 22102.
Please note that the Red Cross Station Manager does not have a staff to
purchase items with cash donations sent to that office. Therefore, the
above special account has been set up to receive donations and purchase
items for the OIF/OEF men and women, and to help their families at the
Fisher Houses.
Cash donations will be converted to items you specify or items on the
current 'wish list' if you do not specify items, and delivered by a
Legion/Auxiliary representative. 100% of all donations go to the wounded -
as always, Legion/Auxiliary members are volunteers. Donations are
tax-deductible.
Please e-mail us at Auxiliary270VAR@aol.com - or call us at 703-938-3572
if we can answer any questions for you.
A website also has been set up to provide current information:
http://www.mcleanpost270.org/auxiliary
Thank you for supporting our wounded/injured OIF/OEF and their families!
Marian Chirichella, Auxiliary Unit 270 & Red Cross Volunteer
Jay Edwards, McLean Post 270 & Red Cross Volunteer
1355 Balls Hill Road
McLean, VA 22101
703-938-3572
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