Thank you, again,
ketchupownz !
I happened this morning upon the blog above. It is not an easy read, but it touched me deeply. Although I've been around the military a good portion of my adult life, I cannot say that I have had much contact with vets wounded in any of our country's battles. A few, yes, but ... Reading her blog brought the issue to heart.
War is not just about winning and losing or numbers of deaths. It's about people living and dying for something they believe in. Thousands are coming home permanently changed. It is not something we read about often. Just in my few minutes of misc searching this morning, though, I have found some great efforts in support of our wounded servicewomen and men. These are heroes - unwilling, perhaps, but still they have joined the ranks of those who have sacrificed themselves in support of our nation. Beyond a doubt, they should receive the BEST medical and remedial care available. Support also should be available for the families of those in rehab or recovering from their wounds. Much of this support, comes in the way of volunteer organizations like the ones below. Check them out. It doesn't cost anything to read, and maybe your heart will be touched also.
Here are some ... just a few ... of the organizations that help our wounded.
Traumatic brain injury is the signature wound of the Iraq War, we want these heroes to be able to return to a normal life as quickly as possible. This organization provides Brain Injury Recovery Kits to the many, many returning vets who have experienced this injury. The 10 in 10 Project is launching with our initial mission to help every Soldier and Marine returning home from the war with a traumatic brain injury. Less than 2 in 10 people who sustain traumatic brain injury get the help they need to return to a meaningful life. We want to change that statistic to 10 in 10.
Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.
American War Heros is dedicated to improving and enhancing the quality of life for our injured War Heroes by providing them with emotional, financial and career support from our grateful USA citizens. Our Goal is to involve All Americans to assist in rebuilding the shattered lives of our WOUNDED HEROES who have sacrificed so much fighting for our Freedom, and giving our wounded Heroes the faith to carry on and live productive lives!
The purpose of the Thank You Foundation is to implement and administer programs designed to carry out a mission of appreciation for our service members and their families.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is an a-political, non-partisan, non-profit organization that labors under the mission "Aiding wounded troops, their families and the families of the fatally wounded." Despite the assistance and aid offered by the military and the government, wounded military personnel and their families confront innumerable obstacles while coping with the burden of care for a wounded service-member or the loss of a loved one while in the service of our country. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE will donate 100% of the money raised to organizations and programs that meet the needs of our heroes and their families.
Now ... I admit that I am newly acquainted with these organizations, but appreciate whatever efforts they make to help those who have served us ... As this year ends and 2008 begins, I expect my appreciation to grow, and I hope to find create ways to Support Our Troops.
Thank you ... those who have served and those who share your loved ones for this noble purpose.
~ B
iraq
We can each do a small part for these brave ... heroic women and men! 