Shaffer
09-13-05, 07:39 AM
Four years ago, Sept. 11 ignited “The War on Terror.” Since then, thousands of service members have been killed or wounded leading the global offensive to destroy terrorists and their supporters attempting to reduce the chances of another homeland attack.
Leading the advance, Marines are widely recognized for their warrior ethos, esprit de corps and for taking care of their own – especially their wounded.
One man taking those tenets to heart, along with the willingness of the American public to support the troops, spearheads a daring effort designed to assist his wounded comrades.
The “Wounded Warriors” program, founded by Col. John D. Folsom, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) liaison officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) here in Iraq, has emerged as a powerful tool for people who want to help Marines and other service members while they recover from injuries.
In the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom while stationed at the European Command (EUCOM) in Germany, Folsom a reservist from Omaha, Neb., recognized an opportunity to help injured colleagues.
The self-proclaimed “meat eating dinosaur” remembered past conflicts and prepared to support the large number of injured Marines and service members who would undoubtedly be returning through Germany.
While working in the EUCOM command center as a liaison officer for Marine Forces Europe, Folsom “passed the hat” that day and raised $1,500 to set his plan in motion and lead from the front.
Today, Wounded Warriors declares that over $500,000 worth of cash and equipment has gone specifically to assist combat wounded around the globe.
“Ninety-five percent of the money collected is utilized to directly benefit the warriors in the hospitals that care for them,” Folsom proudly asserts.
Beginning with an entertainment system for the first returning wounded, the fledgling program purchased hundreds of dollars of DVDs for Marines and Soldiers.
“Our first purchase was the biggest TV we could find complete with a DVD and VCR on board,” said Folsom, with a grin.
The beneficiaries filled an overcrowded room with other injured that, prior to that TV being there, had nothing to entertain them according to Folsom.
The program has developed and focused its energy on two main tracks. The first aims to improve the quality of life at hospitals assisting in the recovery of injured service members.
Folsom fills this need by collecting money and directly purchasing or connecting generous
donors with the hospital.
Whether it is TVs, laptop computers, DVDs, CDs or basic items like towels, flip flops or linens, the needs are continually met.
The second track for the program is operating the website www.woundedwarriors.org which publishes a monthly newsletter connecting hospitals in need with the growing list of generous donors who support the program.
“The idea is simple - support the hospitals that support our injured and sustain that support so that our brothers can recover,” the 26-year-veteran said.
Whether it’s the “working guy who donates $20” or the company that donated $10,000 dollars to the program, Folsom says every bit helps.
“The greatest element of this program is that it gives everyday people a place to go and support the men and women who have supported them in battle any way they can.”
Wounded Warriors uses today’s technology over the internet to maintain low operating costs. That keeps the dollars and materials flowing, supporting the injured. The web site even offers “PayPal” for ease of donation with a credit card.
To date, the program supports hospitals and medical facilities in the Afghanistan and Iraq theater of operations, Germany and the United States. Sites include the 86th Combat Army Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, The US Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune, N.C, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl Germany, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Al Asad’s medical facility in Iraq and Camp Fallujah Surgical, Fallujah, Iraq.
The non-profit organization even opened a credit card account specifically for Fallujah Surgical with this intent: “What do you want - what do you need - go and buy it...That’s how you get it done and support these guys,” Folsom added with a smile.
Folsom plans to continue this effort long after fighting has ended as the troops will still suffer effects of their wounds and there will always be injured service members in the military.
“The pie in the sky concept is to open ‘The Purple Heart Resort’ somewhere in Montana, Wyoming or the Dakotas with log cabins and a support building,” he said. “Wounded could bring their families and relax and recover with the preference being for junior enlisted.”
With increased public support, the Marine with a mission will continue to lead from the front and make a difference in injured service members lives everywhere.
“It’s not my money; I just have the privilege of spending it in the right place – with our heroes.”
For more information on how you can help Wounded Warriors, log onto www.woundedwarriors.org.
Leading the advance, Marines are widely recognized for their warrior ethos, esprit de corps and for taking care of their own – especially their wounded.
One man taking those tenets to heart, along with the willingness of the American public to support the troops, spearheads a daring effort designed to assist his wounded comrades.
The “Wounded Warriors” program, founded by Col. John D. Folsom, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) liaison officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) here in Iraq, has emerged as a powerful tool for people who want to help Marines and other service members while they recover from injuries.
In the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom while stationed at the European Command (EUCOM) in Germany, Folsom a reservist from Omaha, Neb., recognized an opportunity to help injured colleagues.
The self-proclaimed “meat eating dinosaur” remembered past conflicts and prepared to support the large number of injured Marines and service members who would undoubtedly be returning through Germany.
While working in the EUCOM command center as a liaison officer for Marine Forces Europe, Folsom “passed the hat” that day and raised $1,500 to set his plan in motion and lead from the front.
Today, Wounded Warriors declares that over $500,000 worth of cash and equipment has gone specifically to assist combat wounded around the globe.
“Ninety-five percent of the money collected is utilized to directly benefit the warriors in the hospitals that care for them,” Folsom proudly asserts.
Beginning with an entertainment system for the first returning wounded, the fledgling program purchased hundreds of dollars of DVDs for Marines and Soldiers.
“Our first purchase was the biggest TV we could find complete with a DVD and VCR on board,” said Folsom, with a grin.
The beneficiaries filled an overcrowded room with other injured that, prior to that TV being there, had nothing to entertain them according to Folsom.
The program has developed and focused its energy on two main tracks. The first aims to improve the quality of life at hospitals assisting in the recovery of injured service members.
Folsom fills this need by collecting money and directly purchasing or connecting generous
donors with the hospital.
Whether it is TVs, laptop computers, DVDs, CDs or basic items like towels, flip flops or linens, the needs are continually met.
The second track for the program is operating the website www.woundedwarriors.org which publishes a monthly newsletter connecting hospitals in need with the growing list of generous donors who support the program.
“The idea is simple - support the hospitals that support our injured and sustain that support so that our brothers can recover,” the 26-year-veteran said.
Whether it’s the “working guy who donates $20” or the company that donated $10,000 dollars to the program, Folsom says every bit helps.
“The greatest element of this program is that it gives everyday people a place to go and support the men and women who have supported them in battle any way they can.”
Wounded Warriors uses today’s technology over the internet to maintain low operating costs. That keeps the dollars and materials flowing, supporting the injured. The web site even offers “PayPal” for ease of donation with a credit card.
To date, the program supports hospitals and medical facilities in the Afghanistan and Iraq theater of operations, Germany and the United States. Sites include the 86th Combat Army Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, The US Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune, N.C, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl Germany, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Al Asad’s medical facility in Iraq and Camp Fallujah Surgical, Fallujah, Iraq.
The non-profit organization even opened a credit card account specifically for Fallujah Surgical with this intent: “What do you want - what do you need - go and buy it...That’s how you get it done and support these guys,” Folsom added with a smile.
Folsom plans to continue this effort long after fighting has ended as the troops will still suffer effects of their wounds and there will always be injured service members in the military.
“The pie in the sky concept is to open ‘The Purple Heart Resort’ somewhere in Montana, Wyoming or the Dakotas with log cabins and a support building,” he said. “Wounded could bring their families and relax and recover with the preference being for junior enlisted.”
With increased public support, the Marine with a mission will continue to lead from the front and make a difference in injured service members lives everywhere.
“It’s not my money; I just have the privilege of spending it in the right place – with our heroes.”
For more information on how you can help Wounded Warriors, log onto www.woundedwarriors.org.