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Congressman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, presented a framed statement paying tribute to the excellence and sacrifice of the medical professionals at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
The statement – part of the official record of the U.S. Congress – was presented during a Thanksgiving visit by a Congressional delegation with Wounded Warriors and those who care for them.
“What you do is so special,” Congressman Skelton said during the presentation. “You are taking care of America’s treasures.”
Congressman Skelton spoke from experience about the level of care Wounded Warriors receive at LRMC.
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee was one of the more than 58,000 servicemembers and civilians treated at LRMC for injury or illness sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During a Thanksgiving visit to Iraq in 2005, Congressman Skelton was injured in a motor vehicle accident and was medevaced to LRMC.
Receiving the Congressional tribute on behalf of the hospital was LRMC Commander Col. (Dr.) John Cho.
“Our top priority remains taking care of those returning from the theater of operations, which includes many in the audience today,” Colonel Cho said after receiving the award. “Your presence today re-validates to us that we have to ensure that we provide the best care for those who are sacrificing so much in defense of our country.”
The statement, read by Congress-man Skelton Nov. 4 to the House of Representatives, in part said, “I rise today to personally thank and commend the 2,837 personnel … of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
“These dedicated folks work in providing world class comprehensive care to our warriors wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and to more than 52,000 American military personnel and their families in the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
“I will soon be leading a Congressional delegation to visit wounded servicemembers and all who care for them at Landstuhl for Thanksgiving dinner. Given the spirit of that holiday, this statement – which I will frame to present to the personnel there – is a fitting tribute to the excellence they deliver every day.
“Perhaps most importantly, though, Landstuhl plays a critical
role in caring for our warriors wounded in combat and bringing them back home … The folks at Landstuhl see the vast majority of our wounded and injured in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and they administer the best that modern medicine has to offer.
“I also praise the non-medical services offered at Landstuhl, including liaisons for finance and personnel issues, invitational travel orders for family members and transportation from the airport, issuance of basic civilian clothing and sundry items, and AAFES vouchers and personal shoppers, among other services. This comprehensive care provides the right environment to begin the healing process.
“Here, I must also thank those who embody the giving spirit of our nation. I speak, of course, of the selfless service of the American Red Cross volunteers, Fisher House volunteers and staff, and the members of the USO who make themselves available to our servicemembers and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No need is too big or too small and no problem too difficult for this group.
“I am proud to know that we have such an immensely capable group of people looking after the health and well-being of servicemembers and their families. I pay great tribute to the excellence and sacrifice of all who serve at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. They all deserve our thanks and support.”
(Courtesy of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center)
