I was on the third distribution of an email about an injured "Enduring Freedom" soldier.
~snips~
"There is a young soldier (a 23 year old Tennessee National Guardsman) named Sgt. Kevin Downs. He was blown out of his tank in Baghdad a year ago and left with no feet, mangled arms, and burns over 60% of his body. He is a Tennessee boy. Everyone else in the tank was killed. His condition is not good. A surgery to improve the use of fingers on one hand inadvertently caused previous skin grafts to break down, and the grafts on his legs are cracking as well and may require beginning over at square one.
Kevin is tired and low in spirits. He needs our prayers and support through cards. Would you please send him a note or card to let him know you are thinking about him? Remember him in your prayers as well.
His address is:
Sgt. Kevin Downs
Brooke Army Medical Center
3851 Roger Brooke Drive
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Lets shower him with cards."
I'm very sympathetic to our injured troops even though I, like most of you, was against the war.
I give to the USO and DAV but this private email really got to me so I called Judith, The Soldier & Family Assistance Center's Director (SFAC) at Fort Sam Houston which is actually in San Antonio, Texas. She was admirably working on Saturday. When I asked, she proudly acknowledged that Shaq O'Neill went to high school there when his Dad was stationed at FSH. Judith had what I'd call a strong Jersey accent.
After giving Judith my heartfelt thanks for her personal service to our injured troops that I don't have the backbone(balls) to provide, I asked her about Kevin Downs. She says that although an amputee, he's doing better and is thankfully in a good frame of mind. vic asked what he could do to help. Judith stated that Downs is 21(!)and to send him whatever teenagers like. She suggested individually packaged foods like beef jerky & nuts plus first run DVDs etc.
If you have an extra buck, gift or two, please send them to:
Brooke Army Medical Center
3851 Roger Brooke Drive
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Attn: Judith
Dailykos.com