Wounded Warriors

Specialist Marcela Supnet decides which quilt to select at the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in April 2008. The handmade quilts and other items are dispensed to Wounded Warriors and other patients at the hospital. The 99th Movement Control Team based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, recently raised nearly $8,000 worth of goods during their second annual Wounded Warrior Drive which will be donated to the LRMC. (U.S. Army Photo/Thomas Warner)

Wounded Warriors

Jenny Clayton stocks shelves in April 2008 at the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center which benefitted during a holiday increase in donations to servicemembers wounded downrange. Clayton is one 22 volunteers who donate more than 600 hours a month at the center. The 99th Movement Control Team based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, recently raised nearly $8,000 worth of goods during their second annual Wounded Warrior Drive which will be donated to the LRMC. (U.S. Army Photo/Chuck Roberts)

Military members provide necessities to wounded warriors

Published Dec. 3, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
31st Fighter Wing public affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- "When our troops are wounded, they must be confident that the military will do everything possible to help them heal," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates, during a May 15 speech in Washington, D.C.

Soldiers from the 99th Movement Control Team at Aviano Air Base, Italy, have taken that message to heart raising nearly $8,000 in goods for the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, or more commonly known as the Chaplain's Closet, in Landstuhl, Germany.

"Last year, our Air Force counterparts made our drive an unrivaled success," said Army Sgt. Randall McGraw, 99th MCT operations NCO in charge and project lead for his unit's second annual Wounded Warrior Drive. "I personally have been through the program at Landstuhl two times since 2003 and both times I had nothing when I arrived to the hospital. I'd like to thank our partners in blue as this year's drive would not have been possible without their support."

The second annual drive ran Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Donated items range across the board; including such things as CDs, DVDs, phone cards, clothes and under garments, and shoes -- to name a few.

"From moms and dads to grandparents, to servicemembers, friends and total strangers, it's enlightening to see Wounded Warrior Drives like this as it just goes to show you how generous the American people are," said Army Chaplain (Maj.) Eric Meyners, who overseas the Chaplain's Closet.

The LRMC Chaplain's Closet distributes to approximately 500 people weekly.

"The ability for someone to arrive here with just their uniform and to be able to get the things they need means a lot to them," said Chaplain Meyners. "They smile when they leave here and tell us they appreciate all the support."

For more information about how individuals and communities can assist wounded warriors and their families, go to www.americasupportsyou.org. To read about wounded warriors and their personal stories, go to DoD's Warrior Care site at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/warrior_care/, for the Air Force Wounded Warrior site, go to http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/.