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The Department of Defense designated November as Warrior Care Month, but for individuals in the KMC, care for wounded servicemembers is an on-going issue and a year-round commitment.
While many KMC personnel have jobs that tie directly to warrior care, there are also several volunteer organizations that dedicate countless hours in support of the same cause. Two volunteer organizations stand out. One is a private organization called Mission: Just Us, that supports patients at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Medical Treatment Facility.
“An average weekly patient load of 96 wounded soldiers are at the MTF facility, usually for a maximum stay of 14 days,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Martin, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, adding that Mission: Just Us is on-hand to provide support to them.
According to Staff Sgt. Lekeesha Holmes, president of Mission: Just Us,
volunteers are a collective mix of military, civilians and dependents from around the KMC, who have assisted more than 570 wounded warriors in the past eight months.
“I feel the whole experience has been very humbling,” she said. Sergeant Holmes hopes to encourage others to volunteer as a way to thank wounded warriors, and to let them know that “the forces in Europe stand behind them.”
“I feel very fortunate to have a chance to meet these fine people and be able to provide them with some relief,” said Tim Vohar, 435th Mission Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center. He has been a Mission: Just Us volunteer for the past three years, providing support, company and transportation for wounded
servicemembers to and from the base exchange, local restaurants, movies and
special occasion meals.
Another vital volunteer organization caring for the wounded is the USO at Ramstein’s Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. For three or four days, the CASF is a home away from home for wounded service-members who await transport to stateside facilities. Here, the USO and CASF staffs, along with volunteers, ensure personnel are taken care of – providing a relaxing, yet entertaining environment in the USO lounge.
“Saturday night and Sunday mornings are the most crucial times to ensure volunteers are on tap to help with the turnover of wounded,” said Becky Voelker, CASF USO part-time manager.
Volunteers assist with anything from loading patients on aircraft and ensuring new folks get settled, to handing out movies and snacks.
The USO is supported by an average of 23 volunteers a month who provide more than 127 hours to care for the needs of the wounded warriors. Over the past eight months, roughly 17,330 patients have transited through the CASF, making volunteers a welcome addition.
We have a unique opportunity in the KMC and both Mission: Just Us and the CASF USO rely on volunteers to continue the assistance KMC provides wounded warriors year-round. Anyone interested in providing friendship, transportation and time, or just needing more information, e-mail missionjustus@ramstein.af.mil or casfusomanager@yahoo.com.***image1***
