Is there a way we can support the wounded at Walter Reed and

[janx]

elsewhere?

I ran across this post at freeperland from a family member of a soldier wounded in Iraq who laments the fact that the administration is putting a lid on news of the wounded:

To: optimistically_conservative

As a family member of one of these casualties, I can tell you that the pain is very real. Also it belies the fact that there are about 7 times this number in hospitals from injuries inflicted in combat and that great efforts are being taken by the military to hide their identities from the media. It is a sad commentary on our present political environment that the wounded aren't acknowledged and honored. When was the last time you saw a news statement identifying the local kid that was wounded? Doesn't happen. The disguise is patient confidentiality laws, but you need only visit Walter Reed to get a different perspective on what is happening.


12 posted on 11/23/2003 6:59 AM MST by Ranger



Now, freepers and others often greet news of the dead and wounded with the precursory and scripted "Our prayers are with the families," but what, if anything, is ANYONE doing for the wounded?

Is there something we can do? Can we at least send letters to the wounded to let them know that we care about them and that we're glad they're alive?

If I attempted to call Walter Reed to get a list of soldiers, would others join me in writing letters/email or sending cards? Would our government even allow such a thing?

Here is another message from the same freeper quoted above:

To: William McKinley

William, I'm just telling you the way it is. There are several thousand young people in hospitals like Walter Reed and in Germany that are anonymous as far as the general public is concerned. Screw the media, a grateful nation would like to acknowledge them and support them, but they are largely unknown. Young families are struggling through a ridiculous maze of bureaucratic BS to try to be with their loved ones, to get reimbursed for expenses while they are shuffled hospital to hospital and to get simple things done. The public isn't helping them through this because they are unknown. That's not a political statement on the war, its just the way it is and you need to understand that.

We are interested in supporting them, but they are kept from public light unless by chance they are picked up by their hometown media. Further coverage at Dover and Arlington is highly restricted by mandate from the White House. You might not want to hear that, but research it for yourself. I know, I've been there and lived it recently. Your about to see a sharp reduction in media coverage of funerals at national military cemeteries. The cost of war is far more than $87 billion.


15 posted on 11/23/2003 8:28 AM MST by Ranger

The link to the thread is here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1027372/posts

Is there anything we can do?

[rfranklin]

1. Send greetings--letters, cards, whatever...

signed "A Caring Liberal Who Supports Our Soldiers"

[wryter2000]

2. I have no idea

If you find out anything, please post it.

(Just finished packing up some stuff for soldiers in Iraq.)

[randr]

3. Home Front Heroes

is a group that supports the families left behind and arranges for shippments of drastically needed items to war zones.
Similar organizations are spread across the country.
Find an organization near you and help it.
Start at www.bringthemhomenow.org