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If you read
my previous years blogs, you know that LRMC cares for all our
allies fighting in OIF/OEF. We have had several Canadians in
lately. When I went to the ward this afternoon the Canadian
Chaplain was with one that had just arrived. He told me that
he would make sure he had all the items he needed. Later in
the afternoon I saw the chaplain and he told me he lost the
patient. At first I thought he meant lost, like he had died,
then I realized he meant he had just lost him out of his
room. He was told he went to x-ray. No Canadian. He was told
another department and after checking there he realized his
patient was missing. I told the chaplain that he must do a
better job and not lose his charges. He agrees. After about
2 hours he came into the WWMC pushing his patient. I told him
"I see you found him.” I looked at this young man in his
early 30s and told him that when my kids did not report in or
went astray that they always had a punishment and I would have
to think about his. He smiled at me and said that his mom was
the same but it was not his fault that he had to have an x-ray
on his foot, then his knee, then his back. The other
volunteer and the chaplain were deciding what to get for him
and you could just tell he was freezing. I bent down and
looked at him and said, “you’re cold, huh?” He said, “yes.” I
said, “Well, instead of worrying about what to pack, why do we
not just put it on you?” So I grabbed a sweatshirt and I put
it over his head and we were real careful with the IV block
still in his hand. I got a pair of breakaway pants that we
sent and got his good leg in them and then snapped the other
side on his casted leg as he sat in the chair. The chaplain
and other assistant looked on but I have dressed several young
men in the WWMC and so one more, what does it matter? I told
the patient that I had dressed so many men in the WWMC that it
would probably shock my husband. His leg was bandaged heavily
and his little toes were sticking out so we looked for a
little cast sock.
When I
leave here we might be able to start shipping QUILTS only.
The quilts that the guys are choosing off the shelf are red,
white and blue, sports theme, and I had a kid ask me today for
a Yankee quilt, no success. I had another one ask for a
football one, but I only had basketball. NASCAR themes,
outdoors themes are popular. I am pushing the blankets as
much as possible to get LRMC to start requesting more, but if
you want your quilt to move when it arrives here think about
one of these themes. The quilts here are also about 4x4 and
the patients say they are short. Is this a standard size for
quilts? Patients want them to cover them but not be so long
that they drag the ground in chairs or be too big for their
bags. This is why our 3x5 works well , except for the really
big guys who take two quilts or use their woolly with a
quilt. I think all of our pillows are gone. There might be 2
or 3 left, but I will check the other storage room tomorrow to
look for more pillows. If you are making pillowcases think
about adding a LHCP label.
Today was
another 10-hour day thanks to Susan Grey Waggoner and her
contribution to my trip in tribute to her parent's 60th
anniversary.
Sept 21, 2007
Today
started good. I did not have to use my ID card to scrap the
windshield. It had to be the most interesting day I have had
since I have been here. I thought about my previous trips and
was thinking that this trip was much different but did not put
my finger on it until this week. I was not sure about it
until today when I spoke with a doctor that has been here for
about a year.
A troop’s
injuries are serious to that troop and their family, and I am
in no way making light of any of the injuries that I have
seen, but since I have been here this trip the injuries are
much less severe than those I have seen in the years past. I
did not know if it was just me, this past week, so I asked a
doctor working at LRMC. He said that the injuries are less
severe. They used to work all night in the OR and now are
finished by about 7. There are less wounded and less severely
wounded troops. He said that he was not sure about the about
the build up and thought it would just mean more injuries and
lives lost but it seems to be working.
I have not
seen the number of wounded that I saw in my last two working
visits. There seem to be a lot of back and leg injuries, but
just not the same as before. TBI injuries seem to have
increased.
I will tell
you that I met a kid today that is blessed to be walking among
us. He told me he had just had enough of the bullets. Well,
I was thinking I had enough of them in Bosnia and the land
mines drove me just about crazy. I heard them going off all
day and all night long but I did not go home because of it so
there had to be more to his story. We got started talking and
he said he was shot between the eyes. Shot between the eyes!
Now I have to tell you he WALKED into the WWMC and the words
came out of his mouth. No slurring or anything. I am sure
that my mouth was probably hanging open not sure to believe
this kid or not, until he lifted his skullcap and there it
was, right between his eyebrows. I asked him if the bullet
went from right to left and he said no it went straight in and
had to be pulled out. Now I have to guess that it did not go
in that far, but still, shot between the eyes!! I asked him if
he knew how lucky he was and he said “yeah, that is what the
doctor said, too.” We got talking about his family and he
said that his family calls him "sniper" because he is a good
shot and goes hunting in S.C. I think that is kind of strange
nickname just for that reason but he said that they told him
that it looked like "a sniper got the sniper.”
We need
ankle socks. They work well with the guys in leg braces or
wrapped legs that can't wear socks up their leg but can wear a
shoe. We have here. Please send them to Karen ASAP so
that she can get them in the mail with some other items I have
her mailing. If you wish to donate to the purchase of them
post to the database and send a check to Sharon.
The NCOIC
here has told me that I cannot leave. I have not figured out
how to tell my husband that, yet, but they have decided to
keep me here until the war is over. I told him I did not
think that was possible. He pulled out his wallet and said he
had $3 would that help. I am glad to know that I am a big
help here, but I think LHCP can do more stateside and Brian
might send out the search & recovery team if I did not come
home. :-)
Today I
worked 9 hours thanks to James Spliedt and his contribution to
my trip.
Sept 23, 2007
I am going
to combine the last couple of days into this post. I have
been extremely busy. We have had several flights come in but
not a lot of patients.
Most of my
day is filled with sorting and packing boxes for down range.
I want to explain why I have been doing this and why it is so
important. LRMC receives items that LHCP posts on our web
page as DO NOT SEND items. People and organizations decide
they are going to send it anyways. For the reasons we have
posted on our web page the troops will not take these items.
Large bottles, tubes, multi packs are not used due to the
short stays here. These items continue to pile up. They are
then moved to a warehouse that does not belong to LRMC, but to
another military organization. This surplus soared to 12
pallets of excess. Due to the storage space this takes up,
LRMC was told to get rid of it. I was asked back in May for
contacts down range that could use the supplies. I asked our
contacts who needed the items and the quantities needed. I
also opened it up to LHCP members contacts and others on the
website. LRMC prepared the shipment. Called the military
postal service to let them know that 12 pallets would be
shipped. They gave them all the details. It was taken down
and the pallets were dropped off. The next day the chaplains
were asked to come back and pick it up. Due to regulations
they were not able to ship it as it was. They checked with
military lawyers and the German Red Cross is one of the
organizations that they can give it to. I have been able to
work with the patients and I can get the boxes out. So since
my time is limited and I believe my time here was to help all
our troops, even if there is down time between flights I work
to get these supplies down range. Thursday 12 boxes went out,
Friday 12 more boxes went out. After the 12 boxes went out on
Friday I prepared 6 more boxes for Monday.
Today is
Saturday but I went into work. I had not planned to but when
you feel the draw to do something you just need to do it and
you figure it out later. About 2 hours after I was at work a
young man came out of the hospital and asked where the
chaplains were. I asked him if he was looking for the
chaplains clothing closet or a chaplain. He said chaplain. I
know that we have on call chaplains but did not know if one
was in. We went in to check and the hallway was dark. I
checked the door and it was opened so someone had to be
there. I found an assistant and told her that we were looking
for a chaplain. I heard this sob behind me and when I turned
around this man just let loose with the tears. I put my water
bottle down and gave him a hug. He hugged my back. I told
him everything was going to be OK. He told me he could not
stop crying. I asked him if he wanted some water and he said
yes. We went back outside. We talked about his trip to LRMC.
He was an escort for another patient. He said he knew that it
sounded stupid but he did not want to come to LRMC. He said
it was so beautiful here. I told him that there is always a
reason for everything in life, the people that you meet, and
the places that you go. It is how you handle it that you
determine. He told me again that he did not know why he could
not stop crying, he had never done this before. I told him
that crying relieves stress and maybe this trip to LRMC was
want was needed for him even though he did not know that. I
told him that I knew that every breath in Iraq zaps the energy
from you due to the heat and the sand. He said it did, but
when he left the states he knew he was set for a long road
trip and that is how he prepares for it. I told him that this
trip to LRMC was a renewal for him and time to refresh himself
with new energy. He said that his men could not do the same.
I told him that they could through him. It goes back to the
taking from one another. I asked him if he ever had someone
walk pass him in the hall way and say GOOD MORNING with a
bright smile and it made him feel better and cheerful. He
said yes. I asked him if he ever ran into someone who was
grumpy and miserable and when he left he felt down also. He
said he had. I told him that this maybe his opportunity to
take back a renewed spirit to his guys and pass it around.
Maybe he was sent to LRMC because he could pass the positive
spirit better than someone else could.
He was from
Kansas. I was born in
Kansas. I
only lived there 6 months. I know nothing about Kansas, other
than it is flat. Anyone that knows me knows that I am about 5
10, this young man was about 6 foot. I asked him if they grew
everyone tall in
Kansas.
He laughed a little. (HA break through). I asked him if he
was married and he is and expecting a baby. We talked about
the baby. We talked about his tours. We talked about a buddy
from his high school that he met on the aircraft while
escorting the patient who he did not know had joined the Air
Force. When the chaplain finally caught up to us and they
were walking inside to talk he turned around to say bye to me
and he smiled. What a big improvement from the young man who
did not understand his crying and was so upset. I hope to see
him again.
The last
two days have been have been to the thanks of my board members
Rachel and Sharon and their contribution to my trip.
Sept 24, 2007
Today
started with last night actually. My bed did not cooperate
and so I beat it most of the night. I am guessing with as
much as I pulled on the blankets, beat the pillow and moved
all around the bed and beat it to death that it will behave
itself tonight and let me get some sleep. If not, I might
have to set fire to it. :-0
The rest of
my Monday was one of those Monday's that you always think
about when you say, "oh, your having one of those kind of
Monday’s.” It was just a bunch of little things that never
went right. Parking here is a nightmare. I went to park
where I normally do and had to drive around and around and
around. When I was on the opposite side someone pulled out
and then just as I was getting ready to come up on it someone
pulled into the parking lot ahead of me and pulled right into
MY parking spot. Then around and around some more and then a
woman came out and I sat and watched, Of course it took her 5
minutes to get the baby in and then the huge stroller in the
back but I was not going to budge even if there was a car
behind me. HA I got this one!
I went to
go pick up the key in the office where we get them was closed
for whatever reason. Not so bad, I can use the set the
chaplain’s office has. Get to the chaplain’s office but there
was no-one in the main office to get me the key.
Got into
the clothing closet and I normally have the first couple hours
to get it done up from the rush from the night before. But
this morning we had two flights first thing and the normal
progression of seeing their doctors then us did not happen
so I got patients almost immediately.
It is also
sad when you have to tell a patient that we do not have a
certain item, so here is the current list. We are completely
out of these items due to AAFES not fulfilling orders from the
chaplain’s order. Medium white under shirts; large white
under shirts; ankle socks; crew socks; tube socks; medium and
large black or dark gray sweat pants; size 10 and 10 1/2 men's
tennis shoes; and men's deodorant. I know there are probably
more items, but those are at the top of my mind after fighting
with my bed last night. If you know of any groups collecting
$$ please suggest that they donate it through us so that we
can purchase items needed. We can do bulk purchases and our
turn around is quicker than AAFES which is how the WWMC is
purchasing their items.
I had them
bring in more items from the warehouse. So I got abou t
10 boxes out today with 6 more ready for tomorrow morning. It
is difficult work to do since I am trying to recycle boxes
that come in here. Most people send priority and those boxes
cannot be used again. Others use cheap boxes and they are
smashed, crushed and split before they even get here. Our
boxes are good when they get here but are too big to be used
for the large bottles of lotion, shampoo, bars of soap,
conditioner or large toothpaste. I also have to pull off
every stamp, label, and tape from any box I use. It is very
time consuming.
We had more
VIP's come through today.
Let me see if I can get this correct. They were congressman
and woman that sit on the Armed Forces Services Committee. The
chaplain came out and asked me if I would explain the
operation of the WWMC. Several
of them came up to me before I could start to thank me for my
work there. Neil Abercromie from Hawaii and Madeleine Bordallo
from Guam were the first. After I walked them through what we
do Joe Wilson from South Carolina came up to me and showed me
a picture of his son who was in a uniform and he thanked me
for my work as a father of a serviceman. He said as a parent
it meant a lot to him. Abercromie and Bordallo came up
afterward and we had a really long talk about Hawaii and Guam
since we lived on Guam and my son is on Hawaii. Abercromie
asked my last name and how to spell it and where my son was.
Let's just say that if Jeremy needs anything I think he is now
well taken care of.
We had a
patient come in today that broke his leg while under fire. He
was not shot, but broke it due to jumping off of something and
the pallet he jumped on broke and he broke both the bones in
his leg. Six or seven of the patients this week have injuries
due to sports they were playing. Three
were from them goofing off and getting hurt. One of the
patients who came in this morning got in late last night. He
decided to put on a short sleeve shirt and shorts.
By the time he got in to see us from his 40-minute bus ride he
was frozen. So don't tell Brian but I dressed another one in
the clothing closet today. :-)
Most of the
time the kids come in and they will take something that we
have. They know that they need something but every once in a
while you get someone that won't take a thing because they
want to save it for the next guy. We had one today. He
waited for his buddy and the entire time he said he did not
need anything. Well, the last time I had a patient tell me
this it took me a while but he walked out with a pen. It was
only a pen but he did not leave empty handed. Today I
started with the same thing. Do you need boxers, t-shirts, a
blanket and he would say no, no, no. I started with the
toiletries. I usually start with mouthwash; dental floss and
toe nail clippers because they usually always say yes. This
guy was no, no, no. I was "oh, no" he is going to be
difficult one. I told him "you will not leave here with out
taking something so let’s try some more.” I went for my old
standby of the pen, no. Cards to send home? No. Then I asked
him if he had children? Yes. What sex? 3 girls. I told him he
would have to send a little box home of gifts. I pulled out
the little box of stuffed animals and he saw the Disney
characters and he said, “oh yeah, I have to take 3 of these.
This is where we went every year.” Then I showed him a
handmade quilt with a log cabin and old farm tractors. That
was a hit also. So I can say I have yet to fail. No one
leaves the WWMC empty handed.
After
everyone left I got a surprise visit from a very dear escort I
met on Saturday. He looked good and we gave each other a very
big hug. He is feeling much better and we had a talk and he
said he did not know what got into him but he is feeling much
better. He had a big smile on his face and looked like he had
not had the same fight with his bed as I had with mine.
I worked
9.75 hours today
thanks to Eileene Brady and her contribution to my trip.
Sept 25, 2007
Today
started really slow. It took me 50 minutes to make a
15-minute trip just to get to the hospital. Traffic was
terrible.
Most of the
morning was spent sorting, folding and preparing phone cards
for patients. I was invited to go to the in-briefing of the
new patients. This is something that I have never done before
so I jumped at the opportunity.
We first
went to where the patients are now being offloaded from the
buses. The emergency room entrance is under construction, so
unless a patient is critical they do not unload there right
now. The first bus was for those patients that could walk.
These patients can be everything from sports injuries to
female problems.
 The
second bus started to unload with litter patients and I was
standing about 30 feet from the back of the bus and could see
all them. They all looked in good shape and were looking
around. I was wondering what each patient must have been
thinking as they were welcomed by the chaplain and then by
their liaison, then nurses and then off into the hospital.
Some were only on litters because the trip was more
comfortable for them to travel that way and so they were moved
to wheelchairs once out of the way of others being unloaded.
As I was
standing there the first patient had a handmade quilt covering
him. The second patient had an Army wool blanket. Then the
lump in my throat grew and I had to swallow very hard. It was
not because the patient coming off the bus was on a lot of
machines or seriously wounded. It took me a minute to realize
what I was looking at and why the emotion. Then it hit me.
One of our thermal weave blankets came off with a patient. I
had been there to see the full circle of our love and the
warmth of the patient. I am glad I was standing by myself and
the liaison that had invited me had moved to help his patient
because the fourth patient off the bus was covered by another
of our thermal weave blankets. I see our items go out of the
WWMC since LHCP has started, but to know that these blankets
left Virginia and went into Iraq and Afghanistan and had made
their way back to LRMC with a patient was a new feeling for
me. A patient’s warmth is very important and we did it with
the help of Standard Textile. We have another 2,800 pounds
being delivered on 10/10 and Karen is shipping more blankets
out right now but we need your help with shipping costs, so
please remember that even if it is $1 it helps to get those
blankets downrange to these wounded.
I went back
to the WWMC afterwards and thought my day could not get any
more emotional, but as I helped a young female medic with some
items she kept saying yes ma'am, yes ma'am, no ma'am. You
know when you have that gut feeling that something is just not
right. I knew it about her. I kept close to her and started
talking softer about the items that she might need. Some you
can joke and tease with. Others you have to be soft spoken
and others you have to be mom with. Then it then happened.
She just stood there, saying nothing and then the tears and of
course a hug from me. We just stood there and hugged each
other for a very long time. There were some other volunteers
in the WWMC and I was hoping that one of them would volunteer
a tissue but after a couple minutes one of the chaplain’s
assistants came in and I turned to him while still hugging her
and asked him if he could get us one. We went outside and
talked. I noticed that she had a bracelet on for one of our
contacts that was killed in action. I was looking for my
connection with this patient and there it was in small print
on her wrist. I told her that I knew Capt Ortiz. That she
was one of our contacts at the CSH for shipping supplies.
That I was sorry for her loss. She said she was there when
Maria was brought in and that she had worked with her and that
she was a good person, woman and nurse. She told me that she
was at LRMC due to a back injury and she hurt her back by
pulling a fellow troop out of a humvee. We talked a long time
and I continued to let her know that she could not help her
troops if she did not take care of herself first. After a
while she was some better and we finished her bag and I walked
her to the bus stop. We sat there a few minutes more and then
the escort from Saturday came up. I asked him if he was going
the same place she was and he was so I introduced them both
and gave him the duty of making sure she got there ok. He is
now the experienced one and she has someone to rely on and he
has someone to be able to talk to also.
I worked
10.5 hours today in thanks to Judy O’Dell and her contribution
to my trip.
Sept 26, 2007
Most of the
troops that come in to the WWMC tell me they no longer watch
the news. After my visit to the wards today to deliver
pillows I now really have an understanding about why our
contacts ask me not to listen to the news.
I turned
off the news about two years ago. Other than local
happenings, what I happen to hear on the radio or what Brian
or our contacts tell me about, I just don't know about it.
There are several reasons behind it, but I know while in
Bosnia
that a group of people could be in the same area and all could
witness the same action and then there will be the media
spin. We used to watch the news crews do a report and wonder
how they could say what they did. I find it interesting to
hear what other countries and their countrymen have to say
about the U.S. and our people. The news tells us that our
president stands alone in his beliefs, but today I found out
the very strong beliefs of a Romanian. Holly, another
volunteer and I dragged two very large bags of pillows up to
the wards to distribute. The pillows were all patriotic in
nature. I introduced myself and asked him if he would like a
handmade pillow. He said he would. I asked him if there was
a particular pillow from our bags that he saw that he liked.
He choose one right away. He wanted the one with the American
flag all over it. He took it and said this would remind him
of his brothers in arms. He said it with such gusto and pride
that you wanted to stand at attention. He said that it was a
small item but his sisters, (American sisters) had made it for
him and he was proud to have it. He told me that when the
towers fell he was extremely pissed off. He said that this
was not an attack against one country, but many. He said that
he has felt love and care since being at LRMC. That he has
been well taken care of. His leg was extremely messed up but
he said that he wants to go back now to be with his brothers
in arms and take out those $%^#. I told him that he had to
get well first and then fight the battle another day. But he
said "NO.” He wants to go back now, that he is very
determined and very strong and can do what needs to be done.
I could not believe the determination and dedication in this
man who was not a U.S. citizen, who's country was not
attacked, who lost no family members on 9-11, who had never
visited the United States. I stood at the foot of this man's
bed and thought to myself how can members of our own country
be ready to forget and ignore the happenings of today and yet
this man is determined to fight a battle that was not waged on
his soil? He thanked us several times for the pillow and for
clothing he received from the WWMC and told me his family will
be coming in tomorrow. I am so glad to know that this man was
fighting along side our troops. I have no doubt that they
were well taken care of with him by their side.
I also meet
a young man outside today that you might not have spoken to if
you were a normal human being. But I have been told that I am
a little strange and not in the normal range. He was sitting
at the bus stop. There was a large crowd out there, but no
one was talking to him. They were all in their own
conversations laughing and joking. Then I noticed he
was twitching. His head, his arm, his leg all at different
times were going and going. I asked him how his day was
going, not if he was all right and he said he had better
ones. I told him that we all go through our good and bad
days. He told me that he had been hit by an IED and ever
since then he has been twitching. They are now sending him
back to the States to find out why. This kid is not going
back to Walter Reed, but to a VA hospital for treatment. Now
you want to hear the amazing part. He is 27, married, and he
and his wife are foster parents. He and his wife have adopted
four of their foster children, because they did not think they
could have children. Then they found out she was pregnant. He
says the most amazing part is to go into Wal-mart and have the
foster kids he did not adopt come up to him and see how much
they have grown and have them say "Hi, Mr. xxx.” He says the
worse part of the IED blast is not the blast but that everyone
now looks at him like he is crazy. Think about it. How many
times have you walked past someone that was had a head tick or
was jerking an arm and did not speak to them because YOU felt
uncomfortable? Can you imagine how THEY must feel? I told
him to give that wife of his a really big hug for the
wonderful gift she gave those kids. I gave him a big hug and
told him that he was an amazing young man and I was very proud
of him and that I hoped that the twitching went away quickly
for him. We have over 100 members and adding this young man
to your prayer list tonight would not hurt in sending up 100
new prayers for him and his wife.
Today I
worked 12 hours thanks to Sheri Farmer and her contribution to
my trip.
Sept 27, 2007
It has been
a long cold rainy day and I am tired and this is going to be
short. We had a lot of flights today and a lot of patients.
Several arrived at the emergency room entrance so you know
that they are in serious condition.
The staff
has not been able to get to the warehouse for two days and so
my mission to get items down range has been put on hold. I
did manage to go through some bins here and clear out the
outdated toothpaste, lotion and mouthwash. Some of the lotion
had expiration dates of 1990 so you know that someone set it
in that way. We got a donation today of used men's
deodorant. I know that men are different than women but
REALLY why would you think that someone would use your used
deodorant?
I worked 10
hours today in thanks to Barbara.
GOOD NIGHT,
going home. Oh, a cast sock went out today. The new owner
was from
Georgia
and the cast sock maker was from Georgia, but forgive me I am
too tired to remember who that is.
Sept 28, 2007
Today
started very early, as there was a military exercise that
caused the base to be shut down for a couple hours and so I
would be able to get on to the base I left home at 0615.
The base
was already in ready mode with the extra security in place. I
got on with little trouble, but those that were less than 15
minutes behind me got stuck. As I was walking across the
parking lot I noticed two flashlights flashing in my
direction. The lights were coming from the German guards ID
shack. As I walked up to them they were smiling saying that
they were lighting the way for me. We joke, tease and have
had some good talks with each other several times a day so we
have gotten to know each other pretty good.
The first
flight was not due in for several hours, so several of us just
hung out at the bus stop talking and watching the security
folks do their thing.
All of the
sudden there was a large bang that set off the exercise that
simulated a package being thrown. The last time I heard
anything like that was in Bosnia. I decided to go inside the
hospital and grab some hot chocolate and then maybe go to work
if time would pass a little faster than what it seemed to be.
When we came back outside they had their mass causality
victims right outside so we sat and watched them for a little
while since we still had lots of time before we had to start
our respective jobs. Since LRMC is an Army hospital and there
are Navy, Army, Marine and AF working here I got feedback from
the different troops about how the respective services train
and handle these exercises.
It was
finally time to go to work. Our flight was arriving during
the exercise so by the time the patients got through their
briefings and got to me I was more than ready for them. The
other volunteers did not manage to get in until 11 or
11:30 due to the exercise. The chaplain’s staff was not able to
bring in items from the warehouse since the day was spent with
ICU patients and the exercise.
The
Romanian Colonel came down and asked us for desert boots. The
WWMC does not carry uniform items, but I told him how he could
get those items. He said he did not wish to go back to his
homeland with out being in full uniform. One of the liaisons
from the 10th Mountain was there and I asked him about the
boots and he asked what size. It is amazing how some of these
liaisons wish to help these wounded. It just happened to be
that he had a pair that fit the Romanian Colonel and we set a
time to come in on Saturday to hand them over.
I did give
him some gloves for his hands that will keep them warm and are
great for the wheel chair.
I worked 11
hours today in thanks to Kim Hritz and her contribution to my
trip.
Sept 29, 2007
I had hoped
to go out Friday night with my host, but I was so tired I went
home and went to bed about
8:30. What happened to the days of working and going out and
getting up a 7 to go back to work?
I went to
work at 9 today and started right away with getting things
stocked and boxes packed for downrange that had come in
Friday's mail that are not needed here. The sad thing is
after I leave here, there is no one here to complete this task
for the WWMC. It is almost a full-time job.
I had 6 or
7 patients come in from today's flight. We got a lot of
clothing in on Friday that I could not get out but all of the
pants were 34-inch waist so I am looking for that perfect
patient.
I watched a
liaison and patient walk down the sidewalk towards the WWMC
and as many say, "It is a good thing your head is attached” I
have heard that everyone has a twin but this kid looked like
my brother’s oldest son. As he got closer the more he looked
like him. When he got inside the WWMC I told him that he
looked like my nephew. He told me that he had an aunt named
Karen. We started off just talking but as I worked through
his clothing items he would say that he did not need any of
this or that. I told him that it was cold here and that if I
caught him outside with a jacket or sweatshirt that I would
have to call his mom and he was now family and my
responsibility here. I could not help but give this kid a hug
three or four times. The liaison with him kept saying that it
was scary how many things we had in common. The liaison said
that we looked like we could have been family. He was from
the Midwest, but this kid was for sure my family.
The liaison
with the boots for the Romanian came in while I was waiting on
the rest of the patients and he had to wait for me to finish
but we got to our Romanian patient about 20 minutes late. Our
Colonel was so excited to see us that he hung up on his dad.
He had a
slide show of his tour in Iraq. He showed us pictures of his
surgery and wounds. He told me that it was graphic and if I
could not handle it to let him know. It was not the pictures
of his leg 1/3 blown off that was upsetting to me. It was the
fact that this man thought of his American troops as his
brothers. He called them his second family, those that served
with him in Iraq, and wore the American uniform. It reminded
me of those that I was so close to in Bosnia. It took me back
many years ago to friendships that I had and those that I had
lost contact with. Those that I had shared some of the most
stressful times in my life. It brought tears to my eyes to
look at his second family and remember mine.
 We gave him
his boots and the 10th Mountain Liaison gave him a robe with
the 10th Mountain emblem on it. He wanted our pictures and so
we posed, me on one side and the 10th Mountain Liaison on the
other. Next thing I knew we were in a headlock and the
picture was taken. Then he said it was time for a nice
picture, so we took one all smiles.
I worked 3
1/2 hours today in thanks to Ann Pearce and her contribution
to my trip.
Here is
the story about the
Romanian Army Lt. Col. Dorin Petrut
Oct
1, 2007
Well, today
is the start of my last week and I have mixed feelings. I am
glad to be going home and get back into the swing of LHCP and
shipping our supplies out to those that depend on us, but I
also want to be here to work with the troops, chaplains,
doctors, nurses, corpsman, techs, liaisons that make Landstuhl
the great place that it is. I have found many changes here
since my last visit. Most have been good. The number of
seriously wounded is way down from my last visit. The
chaplains are still just as caring and compassionate. I
cannot sing the praises of the chaplain’s assistants enough.
As much as I harass poor Adam Whitehead, he has been
instrumental in helping me get items from the warehouse so
that I can get them mailed out. This is one sailor that I
would recommend to anyone as being top notch.
I think
most of the liaisons are overworked and their needs to be at
least two for each unit deployed. Some of these guys and gals
work 7 days a week nonstop. Most are very concerned about
their comrades and work hard to support them here. I have
heard some of them say that they wish they could be deployed
with their units, but the work that most of them do is so
important to the heart and soul of the wounded that I don't
think many of them understand the effect that they have on
their fellow troops.
There needs
to be more volunteers at the WWMC, but I think most people
have their own ideas of the work they wish to do and when it
does not fall in line with what they wish to do they leave.
If all you do is stock shelves or pack boxes to go downrange
the support you are providing to our troops is very
important. I find that what is more important is the feeling
of satisfaction knowing that you walked away tired and sore
but with a full heart. I am a greedy person. I like that
feeling when my heart is so full of love that there is no more
room and you feel like you are going to choke on it. I find
that the only way to get that is when you truly have no hidden
agenda. You do what is needed, not necessarily what you want
to do, and the reward is greater than anything you can
imagine.
Today was a
beautiful day. There were a variety of items brought from the
warehouse to either go inside the WWMC or to go downrange. We
had several patients come in on two flights. We have a lot of
kids coming in with headaches. I wonder if it is stress, if
it is the blasts, or if we will ever know.
I want to
thank Kathi for stopping by with the small item that was
requested. I am to thank you and let you know that "It made
her feel like new." She was sore and felt old and tired but
you made a difference, thank you!" She flies today. I am
sorry I could not talk more, but we had to get to the mailroom
with my load of boxes.
We took
about 12 boxes to the mailroom today for our units downrange
and picked up about 40. They were full of magazines and
books. Due to fire regulations and the amount of books we
already have, we have no use for these magazines. Most of
them were 3 to 5 years old so the library and thrift store
will not take them. I have sent so many books downrange I
have no other contacts requesting books and the magazines are
so old that they are not requested by our troops. This
organization spent almost $500 in shipping to send these
here. It is depressing to know that someone spent so much
time to do all of this and spent good money but the items just
cannot be used.
I forgot to
mention that last week one of the patients from the week
before came in to say good-bye. He said that he had to come
see me before he left. He is meeting his wife in N.C. before
heading home to see the kids. Anyways, I took him to lunch
and I know that someone had sent money for me to do that. I
am sorry I did not post this before now but I guess old age is
creeping up on me. Anyways, he wanted Burger King so that is
where we ate. Tomorrow I will be taking another patient to
lunch if he stops by before we get too busy.
I have
about 4 boxes left to go through for tomorrow morning and then
a new shipment from the warehouse. I need about 5 volunteers
and good boxes to get this all done but there is a rotation of
troops and so everyone is getting ready to leave here and I
just will not be able to finish this on my own. I hope I have
made some improvement in their warehouse for this Christmas
rush.
Karen M. I
got an email from one of the units downrange and he said that
he got some of our blankets so I thank you for your hard work
in helping out there while I have been gone. I know that you
and Brian have been trying to stay on top of it all and it
looks like you are doing a great job. I will be home soon and
you can fill me in.
Sandra
thank you for all of your help with my rental car
arrangements. Kathi, thank you for traveling back and forth
in dealing with the car rental people. I could not have done
it without you.
My computer
time is likely to be more limited as the computer I have been
using will be cut off Tuesday night.
Today I
worked 10 hours in thanks to Jeanne Dedman and her
contribution to my trip. I believe I only have one more
person for tomorrow even through I had 4 other contributors.
Again, I would like to thank each of you for making this trip
a little easier.
Oct
2, 2007
Today was a
very busy day. We went through so many boxes from the
warehouse it has to be getting smaller. The bad thing is that
we also threw away a bunch of items. Most was expired food or
toiletries.
A
photographer and reporter came through today. They are with
the American Legion. I had some things to tell them since I
was not to happy with the way LRMC was portrayed in a letter
by the Commander of the Legion, the President of the Auxiliary
and the commander of the Sons of the American Legion. I was
told it was a misunderstanding and done to help raise funds,
but the backlash here cause major problems for those at the
WWMC. Anyways those that know me knew I had to put my two
cents in.
They took
some pictures and asked why I was there to volunteer so it
will be interesting to see if they use any of it.
We sent out
about 13 boxes again today.
The nice
part of the day happened after I left work. I went to the
club on base for a beer. Four Army guys came in still in
uniform. We found out they were from a Wisconsin unit and had been delayed in
Germany
overnight. Some of you may not agree with it, but a beer was
bought for each of them, since it will be the last beer they
have in a VERY long time. For three out of the four this is
their first deployment. The youngest kid is actually the one
who has served two deployments to the
Middle East. They thanked everyone back home several times.
They all have my business card so if they need anything we can
help out.
Today I
worked 10 hours in thanks to Maria Waddell who contributed to
my trip.
Oct
3, 2007
WOW!! What
a day. I asked for more items from the warehouse today. 12
more boxes went to the mailroom. The office group also had a
going away little luncheon for me today. It was very nice and
the Colonel "coined" me twice. One is a new volunteer coin,
which says
Put on the
whole armor of God. On the other side it says
Helmet of
Salvation, Shield of Faith, Loins Girt with Truth, Feet Gospel
of Peace, Sword of Spirit, Breastplate of Righteousness
In the
middle in has all of the above with Ephesians 6:11:18
Then they
had also submitted me for a hospital commander’s coin of
excellence, which was approved. The commander told me that
very few have been given this coin, so it means a lot to me.
I have been asked when I will be coming back. I will try to
plan another trip in late May, I think.
I ate lunch
quickly and got back to work since they had delivered a lot of
boxes to me. We had 30 patients come through today so it was
busy trying to help them and get the boxes ready for mail by
3.
Then the
American Legion reporter and PAO guys came back. They were
looking for a patient they had met in morning. He had signed
a consent for them to watch his surgery and they wanted to see
him up and at the WWMC. He came down after they left and as I
was helping him they came back. The PAO asked if it was all
right for them to take pictures of him in the WWMC and he gave
his permission and so they took pictures of me helping him.
It is difficult to help a patient when you have a camera right
there. But I got his bag packed and then they talked to him
for a bit. He has my card and I hope that he stays in touch
with me when he gets back to the West Coast.
Oct
4, 2007
Not much
time left here but still lots of work to be done. I asked for
more boxes to be brought from the warehouse and with it being
a down day I imagine not to many volunteers will show up to
help with things tomorrow.
They are
getting ready to move items from the warehouse into a room
closer to the WWMC so anyone that was at work today was pulled
away to help with that work. I was very busy today with
trying to get all the items sorted. A large amount of the
items unfortunately had to go into the garbage today. The
amount of items with expired dates is just so sad. The rest
of the items were all packed up and sent to our units and
units that I have been receiving addresses from Marty at
AnySoldier.com. This would have been much more difficult
without his help. The weather is holding out for my trip very
nicely here, but I did not get much accomplished today as we
had lots of patients that came in today. They either were
just coming in and needed something or knew I am leaving and
wanted to just talk. Tomorrow, Oct 5, will be spent finishing
the boxes I did not get done today.
I know that
many volunteers would not have wanted to come or work at LRMC
to spend most of their time unpacking, sorting and repacking
boxes. I mean really, think about it, that is what I do in
the States but this is where LRMC needs my help this trip.
Those patients that needed help received it from me when I was
here and from others when I am not. But the big picture is
the number of troops that were served by all those packages
that were unpacked, sorted, repacked and shipped out of LRMC.
It consisted of troops working at the chaplain’s office and
needed to get the warehouse cleaned out so they could get to
items easier, it is also troops on the wards, ill or wounded
that needed items we found as we went through the mountain of
boxes every day. It is the nurses, techs, and corpsmen that
know the wounded on their wards have the comfort items they
need to feel better. It is also ALL those troops in the
Middle East that received all those boxes with ALL those
goodies that LRMC had and now all those supplies are with the
right people. That is what matters.
LHCP President Visits United
States 43rd President in Oval Office
02-28-07
Who would think that
sitting in a living room on Ramstein AFB and learning that the
troops receiving care at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
in Germany would one day get me a visit with president George
W. Bush? 
I have often visited the
White House and taken many a pictures from behind the iron
fences. I have often wondered what it would be like inside
and NEVER thought that I, Karen Grimord, a nobody when it
comes to somebody in the world, would one day stand inside
those barred fences of the White House.
As I was walking down
Pennsylvania Avenue I was looking at the White House thinking
I was going to wake up at any time and it was all a dream. We
got to the press/visitors gate and had to turn over our ID’s.
I walked through that gate and thought “I am here”, I am at
the White House. Little did I imagine it would only get
better and that I would end up flying higher than any drug
could take you.
Walking past the news
camera’s that were mostly covered with protective hoods, I
thought how glad I was the news crews were gone because I
don’t like camera’s and can’t imagine a life with everything
that you say is recorded for history and for people to analyze
and reanalyze it over and over again. It takes conviction to
not be swayed by those tearing apart every word you say.
I walked down the long path
to the West Wing. The West Wing is the center of activity at
the White House. The West Wing houses the President's Oval
Office, the offices of his executive staff, the Cabinet Room
and the Roosevelt Room. We were welcomed by a sharp young
Marine who opened the door for me.
There is a short entrance
hall and small room to the left were I was asked to leave my
purse. Then into a waiting area where there were couches and
chairs. I don’t think I was breathing but I’m still here so
I’m sure I was. There was a woman in a Army uniform sitting
on one of the couches and I sat next to her and found out she
was to see the president with the American Supports You
group. She was from Maine and started the Flat Soldier
project.
As we
walked into the Roosevelt Room I notice my name in front of a
chair and that is where I went. Then I noticed I would be
sitting right across from the president. Yes, yes, yes, I am
going to just bust.
I
then noticed there were no windows, except a skylight. There
were two bronze plaques on the wall one of Theodore and one of
Franklin Roosevelt. Directly behind me was a large picture
with a plaque calling the picture “Crossing the River Platte”
and was a portrait of an Indian encampment.
I am
thinking hurry you have to look at every thing because you
will never get this chance again. OK, Nobel peace prize on
the other wall won by Theodore Roosevelt. Above the
fireplace is a large picture of Theodore Roosevelt as a
commander of the rough riders. On each side of the fireplace
are two doors, OH how I want to go through those doors!! Let
me see what is through those doors!
But I
have to keep taking it all in so little time, I can’t worry
about things I will never see. Next wall has our services
flags on it and it touches my heart because that is why we are
here. We can send all the packages in the world but without
our troops defending our freedom here and abroad, there is no
president, but a dictator, there is no traveling freely across
state lines to see family, friends, the United States
president. Those flags remind me why I do what I do. Each
flag wears battle ribbons and I want to tell the group that
each of these ribbons had heroes. Not all were popular wars
or battles. Not each was won the way we would like it be won,
but each lead to the next step in our history and WE CAN NOT
FORGET and we MUST stay united!!
Then
I went back to those two doors at far end of the room and
wondered where they went. I want to go through those doors!!
I
could not help but think of all the delegations that had been
in that room meeting with all the presidents over the years
and HERE I WAS. The things you think about in such a short
period of time is really amazing. Is this the same room that
was called the “Fish Room”, was I brave enough to ask, NOPE
not I.
THE
DOOR OPENED!! He is in the room with me, so cool. President
Bush came through the door to the right of the fireplace.
This was the opposite side of the table from me. He walked
around the table and shook the hands of his guest. This took
just a few minutes for him to get to me but I can remember
thinking what kind of hand shake would he have. I was raised
that a handshake told you a lot about a person. Have you ever
had that sloppy handshake like a dead fish, the bone crusher,
what about the guy who grabs just your fingers, or the one that shakes from their shoulder
and not the elbow, the shake that last forever. Ugh. A firm
handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence
and interest in you. What kind of man was President Bush;
his handshake was going to tell me. One more person and then
it was my turn, turn slightly to face him Karen, OH NO, what
are you going to say? “Mr. President, thank you for inviting
me and it is my honor to be here today”. “Karen, welcome and
I am happy you are here”. Next person. Did that sound
stupid? Then it hit me WOW!! Perfect handshake. I also
realized when he first walked in that he was much taller than
I thought/imagined. Why all the caricatures of President Bush
as a short man with big ears? I am 5’9 and had a one-inch
heel on and he still had height on me.
President Bush went to the other side of the table. When
 he
started to pull out his chair I waited for him to sit and then
sat down myself. People might have thought me crazy since
most of them were already seated but it is a sign of respect. As I
was sitting across the table from him I was thinking he also
looked much younger than I thought. Then it hit me I was
sitting across this table no more than 3.5 feet wide from the
President of the United States. He spent time with each of us
from the America Supports You team. When it came to me, he
asked me if I had traveled all the way from Landstuhl. I told
him no and that we were based out of Stafford, Virginia,
straight down I-95 Mr. President. He asked me how traffic
was? Only 2 hours, not to bad. He asked how we got started
and I told him it was after a trip to Germany to visit my
daughter and her husband that was stationed at Ramstien at the
time. That my son-in-law was actually coming back from the
Middle East today and was landing as we spoke. He asked me
where my son in law was at? Where was he flying into? What
base was he flying into? What route were they taking? He told
me that if my son in law knew what was good for him he would
call President Bush’s mom and let him know that he was home
safe. I am glad to know Barbara Bush taught her son the same
principals that I tried to instill in mine, you call MOM and
let her know you arrived home O.K. My dad knew that I was
invited to the White House. He told me that I had to shake
the president’s hand for him and the family, (he also
reiterated that I do it right). OK, so how am I going to tell
the president of the United States that I have to shake his
hand twice? But I did and my heart was in my throat. To my
surprise President Bush said “Karen we are going to do one
better, we are going to go into the Oval Office and take a
picture arm in arm”. I am sure nothing came out of my mouth
but it was best that way I guarantee you, because anything
else would have just sounded like a babbling brook.
It
was now time for the press to come in and people moved the
chairs back and brought in big lights. President Bush said
that
“One of the most enjoyable things I do as the President is to
hear stories of my fellow citizens -- stories of compassion,
stories of care. I just talked to social entrepreneurs who
have decided to help improve the lives of our servicemen and
women and their families. There are some remarkable acts of
kindness by people who have taken it upon themselves to serve
their country by helping a neighbor in need. Whether it be
helping the chaplains help kids, or whether it be helping a
family of the injured, whether it be working at Walter Reed or
supporting troops getting ready to go into combat, these good
men and women really represent the very best of America.
I
ask my fellow citizens to support our troops and their
families. There are all kinds of ways you can find out how to
do so. AmericaSupportsYou.mil, for example, is a website that
if you really do want to participate like these citizens have,
that you can find a way to contribute your time or your money,
your talents, to really send a message that America supports
these brave volunteers who are out defending their country in
the war on terror.
So
I thank you all for joining us. It's been my great pleasure to
hear from you. I'm proud to be the President of a country with
so many decent citizens.
As
fast as the press was in the Roosevelt room they were gone.
President Bush then said it was time for the pictures.
President Bush was taking us through the doors I wanted to go
through, yes, YES YES! As we moved through the same door that
the president came through a gentleman told us to be careful
because the floor between the carpets was slick. OH, come on
my feet were no longer on the floor, I am going into the Oval
Office, ME in the Oval Office!! WOW!!
I
don’t know how a person takes everything in. I really think
all my senses were numb but the first thing was Oh, so
perfect, the furniture, the rug, the curtains!
 Once
everyone got inside the Oval Office, President Bush said that
the oval office reminded him of the high honor of his
position. Not only for its beauty but the people that
came before him. Each president designs the presidential
oval office rug. First Lady Laura Bush designed the rug
in the oval office. Again, a man who was raised right
and knows when to turn it over to the wife. He wanted
the design to be inspirational and I believe that it is.
It looks like the sunrays that must come through the big
windows that are behind his desk. It has the
presidential seal in the middle of it.
The
desk is beautiful and is the called the resolute desk.
President Bush told us that an American vessel discovered the
HMS Resolute abandoned. We returned it to the Queen as a token
of good faith. When the ship was retired the Queen
commissioned the desk and presented it to President Hayes.
President Bush told us that it as been modified twice once by
Franklin Roosevelt who requested a door in the front knee area
to hide his wheel chair and by President Regan who added a 2
inch base to it so he would not hit his knees each time he sat
down. President Bush also added that the desk was made
famous by a photograph of John-John Kennedy peeking out from
behind the door while his dad was working.
The
President can add any painting they want on the walls. He has
one of George Washington over his fireplace directly across
from his desk. President Bush said he did not think that you
could be in the Oval Office and not have a picture of George
Washington, our first president.
He
also has a picture of Abraham Lincoln. President Bush and my
son, Jeremy has this in common when it comes to Mr. Lincoln.
They both do a lot of reading about this man and his
presidency. Abe Lincoln worked to unite the Nation. Our
county must be united so our big goals and objectives can be
met. President Bush said that if you read his writing he was
always concerned about how to unite the nation. President
Bush always talks about uniting this country and how it is
important for us.
President Bush pointed out the paintings on his walls. He got
a laugh when he said this is Texas, this is Texas and this is
Texas. Texas paintings are on the wall and he maybe in D.C.
but home is in for sure in Texas.
President Bush told us that a president must serve the nation
and not himself, or just those that voted for him. The
president is a president of all the people.
He
was standing in front of the desk and he said it was time for
the pictures. I was standing right next to him so I guess I
was first. I walked up to him and he put his arm around my
back. OK, it is instinct for me to do the same, HOWEVER, I
don’t know if it is being married to
 a Federal Agent, or being
aware of Personal Security Operations, (PSO’s) or what but
just as my arm was about 12 inches from his back I froze.
I actually saw this little special agent man with dark glasses
and a ear piece saying, “STOP, DON’T TOUCH, President of the
United States”. I froze. Here my arm is in mid air
behind the president and I could not move because this stupid
little secret service man in my head told me not to touch.
I don’t know how long it took but I turned to President Bush
and said something to the effect of can I put my arm around
you. I thought I said it softly but everyone started
laughing. He said that I could and if he did not have
his hand around my back I know I would be through the roof of
the Oval Office and I would have scared the dickens out of the
guys that you always see walking the roof of the White House
with their weapons.
President Bush and LHCP has been on some of the same web blogs
in the past. LHCP has done positive things and been attacked
for it. At first I was hurt and distraught over the negative
PR but I took my lead from President Bush. He had conviction
in his beliefs and what he knew was right. I too knew that
what LHCP was doing was right and we did everything above
board 100%. Let them do their mud slinging, I was not going
to let them be a part of tearing LHCP apart and I was not
going to be apart of tearing this country apart and will
continue to show our troops that I support them and their
mission. Even though President Bush did not know about our
connection I was very honored to be next to him for HIS
contribution to LHCP and keeping us alive when the nay sayers
were trying to tear us apart.
After
the others had their pictures taken I told President Bush that
the year I was born our president said for us not to ask what
our country could do for us but what can we do for our
country. Before, I could finish, he told me to continue to
support our troops, to remember our troops. This falls in
line with LHCP’s mission statement that Calvin Coolidge made “a nation
which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten”. Mr.
President don’t worry LHCP will not forget our troops!!
We
left the Oval Office and I was trying to put everything into
some sort of order and understand how all of this happened to
me. How does one comprehend everything that has happened over
the 60 plus minutes. Oh my, the president spent over a hour
with me, the normal, everyday person of the United States, how
cool!
I picked up my purse from the same
little room that I dropped it off when I first walked in and
called to make sure my son-in-law had made it home from the
Middle East. He was home safe, could this day get any
better?
As I
started outside, the handsome young Marine was right on the
door to open it for me. I walked outside and the news crew
from the Pentagon channel were interviewing all of the America
Supports You members. Seems simple enough, NO WAY. My head
was still trying to figure out how I got invited to see the
president and stand in the Oval Office. The decisions that
have taken place in this office for the security of our nation
and people are to many to count.
I
waited until last. It seemed like I could do this. She
seemed to be asking everyone about their groups. I can talk
about LHCP, but she did not ask me about LHCP. She asked,
“what did the president say that you are going to take away
from here today?” OH NO, think Karen, think just one thing
that the president said that you will take away with you.
(Nope, can’t be that you can touch him). I know I quoted
Calvin Coolidge and I quoted Kennedy. I hope that we as a
country learn that if we must stay united that we don't
fall apart and divide ourselves. We must remember our history
and we must stay united. Did what I say make sense, who
knows? Was there anyone else there more honored, proud or
excited to be at the White House and visit our 43rd
president. NO WAY!
| 
goodies he was catching on. At the very end he said
ma'am again and took both of his cheeks in my hands and said Kaaa reeeen. He smiled and his liaison laughed. At the end
of the day his liaison came back with a new group and I could
hear him tell the guys outside when you go in call her ma'am
she really likes that! I gave him one of my looks and told the
guys my name and they all