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By JULIA LeDOUX
jledoux@potomacnews.com
Landstuhl Hospital Care Project felt a little post
Valentine's Day "love" Feb. 16, thanks to the
American Legion Post in Woodbridge.
The non-profit raised thousands of dollars during a
Sweethearts for Heroes dinner dance at American Legion Post
364.
"We are proud to help those who help the troops that defend
our freedom on a daily basis," said Post Commander Thom Karlson.
"Supporting our troops is what the American
Legion is all about."
The Landstuhl Hospital Care Project provides comfort and
relief items for military members who become sick, injured, or
wounded due to their service in
Iraq,
Kuwait, and
Afghanistan. 
Donated items are distributed to
patients at
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in
Germany, the
largest American military hospital outside the United States;
to field hospitals in
Afghanistan and
Iraq; and to VA facilities throughout the
United States.
"Many people ask why the government is not doing more in
supplying the needs that we are providing our troops," said
LHCP president and founder Karen Grimord of Stafford. "Most of
these comfort and care items are not contained in the Army
classes of supply."
When wounded service members arrive at
Landstuhl, they are issued a $250 voucher for personal
items by the Department of Defense, she continued.
"They receive the voucher and think it is a wonderful thing," Grimord said, "who would not think that $250 is great? But
when they walk into the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center and
see all the items that have been sent to them by their fellow
countrymen, a look of amazement comes over their faces. They
cannot believe that people still care enough to send them
comfort and care items."
Dozens of couples attended the fundraising event, which
featured a buffet dinner and dancing to the tunes of The
Radford Brothers Band.
"I have recently moved to the area and a friend asked me to
attend the Sweethearts
 for Heroes dinner/dance benefit for LHCP," said Tom Spice. "I am a Vietnam veteran and was a
patient at
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Anything that I can
do for my fellow veterans, I am there. It is great to see the
support the American people and nonprofits like LHCP are
giving our soldiers today."
"I can say everyone there had a big heart," said Karen Monk.
"I will let our soldier's know that they are appreciated, in
my prayers and in my heart through my participation in LHCP."
I wish to thank all
those that shared their heart with me in supporting our troops
on this special night.
Karen & Brian Grimord posing with
friends Ray Harrigan and Judy Rose
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