No Name Column
Good People
Over the months we have encouraged our readers to support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq by sending individual care packages and donating to organizations like AnySoldier.com. Debbie Economos, a member of the Tidewater 4Wheelers Club in Virginia, came up with her own way to support our returning troops who have been seriously injured. After several months of working to get permission from the officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, she, along with her friends Ann Price and Melissa Robol, took contributions from companies in the off-roading industry to the soldiers. Here is a short story on her experience with the staff and soldier patients. We think Debbie and her friends must be pretty neat people and we were honored that they asked us to participate. — Denis Snow
This past April, two friends and I were privileged and honored to spend an informal afternoon with some of our seriously wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Thanks in large part to the overwhelming support of the four wheeling industry, we had gift bags stuffed with off-roading and truck magazines, calendars, videos, miniature Jeeps, decals, T-shirts, and five to six four wheeling posters per bag. We also had singularly special cards from some third graders in Ohio tucked in the bags with the sincerest drawings, best wishes and jokes you’ve ever read.
Ann Price, decorated war hero and our military escort Sgt. Williams, Melissa Robol, military escort Sgt. George and Debbie Economos.
Our visit proved to be motivating in that our troops sincerely appreciated being recognized. I entered the room of one bed-ridden young soldier, introduced myself, and told him of the gifts in the bag. He was somber as he told me, “I can’t drive anything.” A statement like that stops you cold. I joked with him and said I wasn’t handing him a set of keys, it was just some really cool stuff to look at and things to read. His initial mind-set of resignation was quickly and remarkably replaced with one of enthusiasm.
Each soldier had a different and unique injury to bear and we were struck by their enthusiasm and willingness to welcome us into their rooms. Many of these young men and women had family members with them who had bed side manners more typical of a family get together than the typical doldrums usually associated with hospital visits. Many of our soldiers were quick with a joke and interested in lively conversation, we consistently saw what appeared to be the best side of our troops in a tough situation. For the most part, they were upbeat, loved the gifts and had a great sense of humor. — Debbie Economos