What is Mission:  Enduring Gratitude?

 One of the hardest things to do as a parent is research on the numbers of our Military personnel that have been injured while serving our great nation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  None of us wants to even is that 1 in 10 of our armed forces personnel will be affected in some way physically or mentally as a result of serving.  Statistics however, think are very hard to come by.  And when we do find them, they can be overwhelming.  They can also be conflicting (the 1 in 10 number is also reported at 1 in 20, 1 in 30, etc). 

 The Defense Department says more than 24,000 have been wounded, about 11,000 of those injured so severely they are unable to return to the fight. Of that, estimates are over 1,700 U.S. military personnel return from combat with brain and spinal cord injuries.  Another report indicates that out of the 5.5 million veterans who received services in 2006 from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, more than 184,500 served in Iraq or Afghanistan, (according to the VA's 2006 annual report).  The VA is doing all they can, and are striving to improve the speed and efficiency of their services.  The hospital care our military receives is second to none—it’s when they are discharged from the hospital, but are not ready to return to duty, it can be a difficult and lonely experience. MCFSC continues to send care packages to our Marines, and we will continue to solicit donations to fill those packages—it’s an important part of what we do as an organization. 

However, we also know that there are a growing number of military personnel who are returning from war zones with injuries that have forever changed their lives.  When the war ends, their individual journeys are just beginning as they and their families readjust to the reality of their injuries. 

MCFSC has been blessed.  Our donations keep coming and for that we are thankful.  That’s why we have teamed up with the Warrior Foundation, an affiliate of the Navy League of San Diego to help.  There are military personnel at Balboa Naval Hospital with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, and a host of other injuries.  They need our helping hand.  And there is so much we can do to help.  A dinner out with family after spending months in Medical Hold (not ill enough to stay in the hospital, but not well enough to return to active duty) will show that soldier, sailor, marine or airman that we care and that we appreciate the sacrifices they have made. Many families cannot afford to visit their injured son or daughter; Warrior Foundation works with the airline industry to make these important visits happen.  There are other needs as well and we rely on the Warrior Foundation at Balboa to identify those needs.  If you would like to make a contribution to these efforts you can send a check to MCFSC or use our PayPal option.  Please indicate that your donation is intended for support of our wounded by sending an e-mail to carolmichel@mcfscoh.org.

 If you would like more information, Roger Bock is our Warrior Foundation Liaison, please contact him if you have any questions, or want to help at rogerbock@mcfscoh.org.  

Thank you all so very much for your continued support of our Warriors up in the Medical Hold at the Naval Medical Center Southwest Region- Balboa, Camp Pendleton, MCRD, 29 Palms, 32nd Street Naval Base. The Warriors wanted to express just how very much your support has meant to them.  The Warriors want you all to know that they appreciate everything that has been done for them. Each and everyone of our Warriors feel that they were all just doing their jobs and in there words  "aren't anything special!"  We know better!  They continue to work hard to return to their units, ships, commands, brigades-and for some their therapy and medical retirements as well as new careers.   We can only continue to help these men and women who have given so very much with your continued support. WE continue to give 100 percent of all donations to our warriors and YOU ALL ARE MAKING REAL DIFFERENCES IN THEIR DAY TO DAY QUALITY OF LIFE.

Mission: 

Enduring Gratitude

Help us make a difference in the lives of our young men and women who give so much for our freedoms

...from a host of donors including your group in Ohio.  In specific, the models you provided to our warriors were a wonderful gift.  It provided in-room activity that helped improved individual memory and dexterity while at the same time providing hours and hours of enjoyable past time.  We cannot thank you enough and your wonderful supporters in Ohio for this.  And newly arriving warriors once in Building 26 now are asking if they can get a model of their favorite car or truck.  Now that tells me that we have reached them and given something they appreciate. 

Warrior Foundation Thank You to MCFSC:  Winter, 2009 

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FROM THE WARRIOR FOUNDATION!