<p>I was fortunate enough to just have been at Ramstien AFB and visit the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. One of the most compelling efforts was The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center. </p>
<p>This great effort was started by the Chaplians at Landstuhl in October 2002 at the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom and strives to meet the needs of our wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Wounded Warrior Ministry began when wounded soldiers started arriving at Landstuhl dressed in operating room gowns. The US military medical system is so responsive to our wounded that from the time a soldier is injured downrange until he/she arrives at Landstuhl can be as little as six hours. The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center provides new sweat suits, underwear, black duffle bags, athletic shoes, toiletries, sundries, winter coats in season, phone cards, and other helpful items for all wounded soldiers whether they are in- or out- patients. The items are provided to all US service personnel regardless of branch of service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard), component (Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard), or race, religion, national origin or gender.</p>
<p>The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center is managed by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Chaplain’s Office and is supported by military and civilian volunteer efforts, and by individual, organizational and corporate gifts and funds.</p>
<p>The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center serves an average of 780 patients per month. The Wounded Warrior Fund also supports the ministry of the chaplain who cares for the out-patients housed at Kleber Barracks located about 12 miles from the hospital.</p>
<p>Many Churches in the US support the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center and provide new clothing directly to the Center. The sorts of items that i was told are most useful and that have been donated previously include black duffle bags, three packs of men’s and women’s underwear, sweat tops and bottoms, men’s and women’s athletic shoes, telephone calling cards, DVDs, portable DVD players, and toiletries of all sorts. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to support our wounded soldiers since there is no organizational overhead.</p>
<p>This is an awesome service the Chaplians are providing at Landstuhl. If your Congregation would like to help the mailing address is: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, ATTN: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office, CMR 402, APO AE 09180, and the direct donor phone line is 011-49-6371-86-7419.</p>
<p>It would make a great Advent project.</p>