As many of you know WMA Motor City has been very active in taking care of
those who serve. We learned that there is a HUGE need for filled backpacks.
As many of you know when our Marines, Sailors, Soldiers are injured severely
they are then stabilized then medivaced to Landstuhl. The number of injured
have been huge. When these men and women get there they have nothing. The
backpacks provide a place to store the gear as well as items that are
needed. I have been in contact with the Marine liaisons there and help is
needed. So once again I turn to all of you to please help. MI-2 has sent 32
filled bags already and today I picked up 2 large cases of donated backpacks
which I will start to fill this week so we can get them shipped off. I ask
that you each fill just one backpack and send it. It will make a difference.

Landsthul Regional Medical Center. LRMC is the largest American hospital
outside of the United States and is the only American hospital in Europe. It
is the hospital where most of the injured soldiers fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan are sent.
Items that are asked for:

sweatshirts, long-sleeved t-shirts, and jackets in all sizes
(they tell me that due to the change of weather that is drastic the injured
are constantly cold.)
all toiletries to include:
-deodorant (men and women's)
-soap (bar and liquid)
-shampoo (w/ and w/o conditioner)
-toothbrushes
-floss and floss handles w/replacements (the floss picks are great for those
without hand injuries but are too tiny for those with)
-toothpaste
-brush w/comb sets
tube socks (Hanes sells a 6 pack that's perfect for their needs)

dufflebags and backpacks
music cd's (the cd library is still very small with a very limited number of
choices)

dvd's (these guys are watching as many as 5 movies a day which the docs
promote because it helps keep many of them from withdrawing into their own
world; action, comedy, and concert dvds are among the favorites.
DVD players (the 5-disc players and portable players are very well received;
one allows many movies to be loaded at once and the portable is easily
accessible)

portable cd players (if a rush of cd's does come in, for now there won't be
many players to go around)

magazines...car, motorcycle, men's fashion (yes seriously, men's fashion),
sports, gaming (Xbox, playstation, etc), and outdoor magazines are among the
favorites

get well cards (from individuals, classrooms, scout troops, etc)...the get
well cards, letters, and homemade cards we handed out were very well
received

Where you can send the items:
Send your backpack of love directly to:
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center,
ATTN: MCEUL-CH/Chaplain's Office,
CMR 402,
APO, AE 09180

Semper Fi,
Mary Ann Merritt
WMA National PRO
www.womenmarines.org
Operation Caring Friends
Taking care of Deployed Marines and Military
www.jocokyroots.com/USMC.htm
WMA Michigan 2 Motor City