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There are many ways that the KMC can say “thank you” and make the holidays brighter for wounded servicemembers staying at the 21st Theater Support Command Medical Transient Detachment on Kleber Kaserne.
About 40 to 50 servicemembers will be staying at the barracks during this holiday season, said Capt. Jennifer Arnold, the detachment’s commander.
“The key to remember about my guys is they are ambulatory which means they can go up and down stairs and no one is missing any limbs,” said Captain Arnold. “I just want to be clear that they are not severely injured and can move about and get in and out at their leisure.”
These servicemembers are outpatients and are here for medical appointments at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The average stay is about three weeks, said Captain Arnold. They are from all four branches of the military and the Coast Guard, and are deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Kosovo, Bosnia, Djibouti, the Horn of Africa or anywhere else in the theater. Ranks are from E-1 to O-5, with the exception of E-9 personnel, who stay elsewhere.
Appointments will be limited during the holidays. In fact, Captain Arnold said that during the Christmas and New Year weeks, there are only six days for appointments. Another fact is these outpatients fly on “standby” status and flights back home or downrange don’t run as often during the holidays.
And, the reality is that about 40 percent of these wounded warriors will be going back downrange, said Capt. Arnold.
Organizations and individuals in the KMC have already scheduled activities and events with Captain Arnold for this holiday season. Decorating the barracks will start Nov. 24, but other organizations or individuals who want to help are most welcome as the barracks has six dayrooms.
The Ramstein American Elementary School students have a tradition of making Christmas cards and thank you cards for the servicemembers.
People have dropped off food, cookies and stockings filled with candy. “They were greatly supported last year, we were eating Christmas candy until about April,” said Captain Arnold.
She said a woman has called to play the harp in one of the dayrooms during the holidays. There’s a snack room where people can donate microwave meals or food bars. There’s a craft room that is solely manned by volunteers.
Singing Christmas carols could also be another idea for KMC organizations.
How the KMC can help is almost as unlimited as the imagination; however, there is now a new force protection requirement from U.S. Army in Europe stating that large groups of servicemembers can not be taken out on the economy for tours, dinner or seeing the sights. Captain Arnold said this number is not fixed, but for the safety of her outpatients, organized trips by organizations or individuals out in the economy will need to be small, and she will make that determination with force protection in mind.
Individuals can still bring outpatients to their home for holiday meals. Captain Arnold said she understands and appreciates people wanting to give these servicemembers an actual home-cooked meal during the holidays and get them out of the barracks. She said this can still be done, but it must be at least two outpatients and not more than 10.
Another requirement is that those wanting to take service members to their home or out in town must have a valid ID card or installation pass, and they may also be required to give Captain Arnold a reference to prove they are who they say they are.
For those who are interested in helping with the detachment’s holiday, call Captain Arnold at 483-8826 or e-mail Jennifer.arnold@amedd.army.mil.
