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INDIANAPOLIS (July 26, 2007) – The national commander of The American Legion has authorized the immediate purchase of $25,000 of telephone calling cards to be given to U.S. troops recovering at Landstuhl (Lond Stool) Regional Medical Center in Germany.
The cards are the result of Operation Landstuhl, an initiative by National Commander Paul A. Morin that was prompted by his recent visit to the center.
“The staff at Landstuhl do an outstanding job but the patients don’t have all of the personal comfort items that they need,” Morin said. “Many of the troops could use some civilian clothes, others might want DVDs, CDs or magazines. We owe it to them. These phone cards are just the start.”
The hospital is a stopping point on the journey home for many wounded servicemembers, who are injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. During peak fighting periods, the hospital often accepts more than 900 new patients per month.
Morin, American Legion Auxiliary President JoAnn Cronin and Sons of The American Legion Commander Earl Ruttkofsky have set a goal for The American Legion family to raise $50,000 for comfort items to be purchased and sent to the troops.
“Operation Landstuhl is only one month old and we are already on our way to achieving our goal,” Morin said. “The generosity of The American Legion has been overwhelming. I am confident that we will meet our goal by the close of our 89th National Convention on August 30.”
Departments of The American Legion will be able to present checks on the floor of The American Legion Convention in Reno. There will also be a donation booth for individuals to contribute in the Exhibit Hall of the National Convention. Credit card donations are also accepted online at http://www.legion.org and checks can be mailed to Operation Landstuhl, c/o The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055.
Contact: John Raughter or Joe March (317) 630-1253.
Comments (3)
I would like to know why the Legion is sponsoring a nascar vehicle and spending millions instead of doing for our vets??????
Posted by Raymond L. Penepent | 07/28/07 7:57 PM |
Read the National Resolution, Raymond. The Legion has not spent one dime on NASCAR. All money for the sponsorship comes from the sale of Freedom Car merchandise. Not one penny of Legion money has gone to support the car. Nothing. Nada. Zero. And why you would post a rant about the car on a page that is about donations to wounded troops at Landstuhl is beyond me.
Posted by Jack | 07/28/07 8:24 PM |
I just had a thought: I've been watching a lot of TV the past few weeks and seeing a lot of dumb shows that really makes me wonder how hard it can be to get media attention. I think some of us Vets could do a much better job and give our fellow Vets some good newsworthy attention. We just need a sponsor, right? Anyone have other ideas on how to get this off the ground? I'm all ears
Posted by David | 08/05/07 4:07 PM |