173rd, 2-503 (INF) Airborne - Making New Friends at WRAMC

On March 18, 2008 I wrote this post about how spending time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will change your life.  This past weekend was no exception.  Actually it was a complete confirmation.

Several of my dearest friends and I had made plans to take the Wounded Warriors from 173rd, 2-503 INF Airborne out for the day on Sunday.  We had planned the outing with their Liason Officer at WRAMC.  I flew in on Saturday and GunnNutt picked me up at Dulles.  We stopped to load the back of her vehicle with Little Debbie Snack Cakes.  Can't go to WRAMC without LIttle Debbie Snack cakes! 

GunnNutt (Ace Troop Supporter) and I got up early on Sunday morning and made our way to the Mologne House at WRAMC where we met Concrete Bob (former Marine), Yankeemom (mother of a Soldier) and Taco's Mama (her son is a Marine and writes at The Sandgram) and all of the Sky Soldiers who had signed up to go with us.  Big John from VFW Post 8208 (Green County) Virginia was kind enough to join us and drive the bus that his post leaves at WRAMC to provide complimentary transportation to any of the Wounded Warriors. 

I'm not going to lie.  Getting everyone together and on the bus or in a vehicle to drive to the restaurant was like herding cats.  But it worked and everyone eventually made it to Dave and Busters.  We had tried to convey to the Liason Officer that we wanted this to be VERY unstructured, relaxing and UNOFFICIAL.  No speeches, no photo ops, no "ceremony."  I'm not sure they believed it because they were all a bit quiet and standoffish at first.  Within about half an hour everyone seemed to be relaxed and having fun.  I had never been to a Dave and Busters.  GunnNutt recommended it.  Gotta give her KUDOS for doing so.  The Sky Soldiers ate very well and, thanks to the management of Dave and Busters, had enough complimentary gift cards that they were able to play the video games and compete on the simulators for hours.  One group chose to shoot pool for several hours.  We spent about 4 1/2 hours at Dave and Busters before returning to WRAMC.

There are so many stories I could tell about our day with these great Warriors but we all went in to this wanting to keep it private and respect the Soldiers and their families who allowed us to share this more than amazing day with them. 

There are, however, a couple of things I'd like to share with you.  Most of these Soldiers don't feel as if many Americans even knew about them, where they are deployed (in the Kunar Province of eastern Afghanistan) or about the conditions they have endured and continue to endure there.  I silently agreed with them and it made me angry that they felt that way.  I know a lot of great Americans have been sending them tons (literally) of support but I also know that when we recently asked for emails and letters of support I was stunned at the number of them that mentioned "the desert" or "Iraq".  In our request for the emails and letters Blackfive had specifically mentioned these Soldiers were deployed to in the  mountains of easter Afghanistan AND provided photos of them hiking through snow in the mountains.   ARGH!

Secondly I was thrilled at how they opened up to us and told us how much they were enjoying themselves.  A couple of them even told us if we ever wanted to do this again they wanted to be included.  You can't get a better response or compliment than that.  These men have no idea how much they made an impact on GunnNutt, Concrete Bob, Yankeemom, Taco's Mama and me.  We didn't want the time to end.  We all made many new friends and are keeping in contact with them.  Concrete Bob has even mentioned that he is sure he and one of the Soldiers will be friends for life.  I don't doubt that one bit.

I wish I lived closer to WRAMC or any of the hospitals that provide treatment for our Wounded Warriors.  Wild horses couldn't keep me away if I did.  These Soldiers are the most inspirational human beings I have ever been around in my life.  Their character, committment, passion for their fellow Soldiers and their country as well as their will to heal and return to their platoons is beyond anything I have witnessed in my life.  It was so difficult to leave them.  

I encourage any of you reading this to find a way to connect with our Wounded Warriors.  It will change your life in ways you can't conceive AND it will show them that their are Americans who truly care about them. 

My most sincere thanks to the Soldiers of the 173rd, 2-503 for allowing us this great opportunity to spend time with them.