The Journey of Wounded U.S. Soldiers Need Not Be Traveled Alone

From Combat to Landstuhl...

For a U.S. soldier wounded in action in the Middle East, arrival at the U.S. Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany is often accompanied with feelings of fear and trepidation. And there is plenty of time to worry: it's about a five hour medevac flight from Iraq or Afghistan to Ramstein Air Force Base, where he or she is then transported to nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC).

Unfortunately, many arrive with only the clothes on their backs, as there is rarely time for the wounded to pack a bag prior to being airlifted to medical aid.

That's where the Wounded Warrior Ministry comes in. The Ministry provides comfort items such as clothes, shoes, toiletries and various sundries to injured troops at no charge to the soldier or military. It exists solely through donations, and Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) has supported the Ministry since 2006. HHV President & CEO Mike Lynch returned to Landstuhl in 2009 to present a $200,000 check to base commander Colonel John M. Cho, U.S. Army for the Ministry, bringing the total donated by HHV to $800,000. Upon receiving the check, a grateful Cho said, "A heartfelt thank you to HHV and its kind supporters for all that you do for our patients."

Lynch commented, "Our commitment to the men and women serving our country is unwavering; but without the generosity of countless HHV donors - this support wouldn't be possible."

While additional donors to the Ministry include churches, other organizations and individuals, HHV support of the Wounded Warrior Ministry represents over half of the annual donations received. "We serve approximately 2,000 soldiers per month with over 800 coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. HHV support of the Wounded Warrior Ministry is vital to our survival," said Chaplain James Griffith, Colonel, U.S. Army and Chief of Clinical Pastoral Division.

Army Staff Sergeant Joshuwa Tucker, a patient at LRMC, told Lynch, "This program is truly a great thing! HHV gives me pride and joy in the caring I can see from loving people in the states. Thank you!"

LRMC is the largest U.S. military-operated hospital in the world, and the only U.S. tertiary hospital in Europe. Its doctors and clinicians are U.S. military personnel, and there are civilians working alongside as well. Their task is the treatment and care of tens of thousands sick and wounded U.S. combat soldiers.

Help Hospitalized Veterans is the nation's primary supplier of free therapeutic arts and craft kits and other programs & services to VA and military hospital facilities worldwide. For more information about HHV and its programs & services for veterans visit www.hhv.org or call 888-567-VETS.