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Wounded soldier needs support & encouragement cards

Hello everyone!

I do a lot of work with soldiers. I have learned about a soldier who is struggling after being wounded. He needs encouragement and support. His name is SFC Patterson. A dear friend of mine is collecting cards for him, and will see that they are delivered to him.

My friends' address is as follows:

SFC Patterson c/o Maria Edwards
3474 Stellar Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

Thank you so much for your love and support!

Debbie

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karen on October 24, 2012 at 10:46am

According to Operation Write Home, any glitter transfered to a uniform will show up with night vision equipment. I'm sure this is a concern more for personel in hostile environments. I don't know whether this is a military requirement or just OWH policy. Since they ship in bulk all over to many different personel, it may be a precaution on their part.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Jernigan on October 24, 2012 at 1:50pm

Please Debbie, in my opinion, I do NOT consider what you said "being on a soapbox". I believe that people need to be reminded of these things. I also agree that we owe all of our military personnel many thanks and much gratitude for our freedom, and for our country. The opportunity to actually help one individual at a time, is an excellent way to demonstrate our gratitude. I applaud you for being instrumental in making us aware of these needs. Thank YOU, Debbie

Debbie said:

I have permission to post my friend's address. Thanks for asking.

I really appreciate your help. I am always getting requests for cards for soldiers. It means more than you know. When my son was deployed, having support from home meant everything. When they come home wounded, emotionally and/or physically, life is not the same. It's a long, frightening, and often depressing road. I have watched my son struggle with the loss of friends he was with who died, being wounded himself, and survivors guilt. They have to begin again as a new person, inside and out.

Sorry, I'm off of my soapbox now! I really appreciate your help in reaching out to this soldier. He really needs us!

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on October 27, 2012 at 7:46am

Perhaps so, Karen. I have been a member of Soldiers' Angels and several other organizations and hadn't heard that before. I just asked my husband, who is retired after 25 years in the Army. He was a Chinook pilot and actually was instrumental in testing the night vision goggles in aircrafts. He told me that glitter is reflective, and could show up with night vision equipment. But, he feels that it would have to be quite a bit on their uniform. But, it is good to be mindful of things like that. I am sure that many soldiers receive cards with glitter from Hallmark and other cardmakers. I don't know how much of an issue it is, but it is good to know. Soldiers who are not in combat zones would not be affected, obviously.

Thank you, Anna, for your kind words. I do feel that often people do forget. I think that the more time that goes by with war officially "ended", the further it is from people's minds. There is still a great need for support for our military. Families are still losing their family members, or are having to deal with them being wounded. Post traumatic stress is affecting many thousands of our young people and their families are struggling every day with it too. Your kindness in supporting those who have kept us free is immeasurable! Hugs to all!

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Permalink Reply by Robin Logue on October 27, 2012 at 11:55am

Operation Write Home stresses no glitter because the cards are delivered to soilders on the front lines. (I hope that is the right way to say that.) And they don't want to compromise their safety by shining in the dark. That's the way I understand it. I have sent lots of cards to them and go glitter crazy on cards I send to friends and family for holidays.