Military Order of the Purple Heart, Greater Washington Chapter 353
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Operation "Welcome Home"

Calendar

April 2008

Date and Time TBA

TBA "Welcome Home" Visit
Hospital Wards and Mologne House
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

We will meet in the lobby on the second floor by the Information Desk.


Date and Time TBA

TBA "Welcome Home" Visit
National Naval Medical Center
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20889-5600

We will meet in the lobby by the main entrance of the hospital.


From April 2004, our Operation "Welcome Home" Project team greeted and supported returning wounded and injured OIF/OEF troops at the 79th Aeromedical Staging Flight (ASF) at Malcolm Grow Medical Center (MGMC) at Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB) in Maryland at least three times per week. Their flights arrived at various hours of the day and night, and under all weather conditions. We were always there to welcome our wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors home. We provided information about benefits and assistance available to them and their families from various sources. We donated civilian clothes, prepaid phone cards, coffee, snacks, and other always-need supplies. We hosted holiday and other special occasion parties for wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors, staff of the 79th ASF, and military liaisons.

In mid-June 2007, MGMC changed its visiting policy, and we are no longer allowed to continue our regular visits to the 79th ASF. Every visit and special event must be coordinated with the Medical Wing Public Affairs Office and approved by the MGMC Commander in advance. According to him and staff of the 79th ASF, some returning troops with non-battle injuries (nbi) feel depressed and guilty when greeted by combat-wounded veterans. If we agree not to identify ourselves as combat-wounded veterans and/or MOPH members, we may be allowed to schedule occasional visits and host special events. We understand and respect feelings of our nbi troops. We work with the military liaisons at the 79th ASF and continue supporting all returning wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors.

Please check our Resources for Supporters for additional information if you would like to visit or provide other support to wounded and injured OIF/OEF troops at Malcolm Grow Medical Center (MGMC) at Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB) in Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, DC, or National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD. Due to operational security and patient privacy regulations, every visit to each of these military hospitals must be requested at least two weeks in advance and approved by the respective hospital command.