Brande's Visit to the IMSFF
This is basically a recap of my personal post, as I tend to add some more personal details there.
I drove down to my parents' place in Orange County from my house in Northern CA on Friday, about 9 hours' drive. Saturday morning, I picked up
ilovesnat the train station near my parents' house as she came in from LA to join me. My father, a veteran Marine, my mother, my boys, Lissie and I were all planning to be there for the handoff.
The drive to Oceanside was very short and we actually were a bit early, so we killed some time outside the gates of Camp Pendleton. Once we were through the gates, we followed my parents (who were in a second car) as my dad used to be stationed at Pendleton and knows the base layout. It's a very good thing as the Wounded Warrior Center is tucked away in a fairly secluded section of the base, just off the lake. The scenery was lovely and I wish we'd been able to take pictures, but due to Sec Regs we could not.
The IMSFF location is not just offices, as I previously thought. It is actually a 26-bed rehabilitation facility for Marines too injured to return to their regular unit, but not injured enough to require hospitalization. After transfer to the Wounded Warrior unit, they can continue with physiotherapy, meet with counselors, etc. About 50% are rehabilitated enough to return to their regular unit. Those that are unable to return to their unit and are scheduled for a medical discharge are then scheduled to work with counselors who assist them with the transition to civilian life. They also receive assistance with PTSD and other psychological issues related to their experiences and injuries.
We did not see the private quarters as they are in a separate wing of the building, but we were told it's very much like private hospital rooms with 1-2 beds per room. They are currently working on expanding into a three story facility to further separate the living quarters from the offices and communal rooms.
We were met by the duty officer, who is a member of the WW unit himself. He logged us in and went to find Angela, our contact with the IMSFF. Angela was very excited to see us, and we were taken on the tour by the duty officer and Angela. The Marines in the unit have their own kitchen, though they do not have a full kitchen (no stove or oven) due to fire regulations. From there, they are welcome to make their own meals or eat something they've picked up.
Colorful paintings of soldiers in silhouette line the hallway, each donated by the artist.
There is a game room off to one side, which is stocked with flat screen tvs and game systems from previous donors. There, they can play on several game systems including PS and XBox. The rec room is across the hall, and "the guys" gather there each evening to watch TV or a movies. That room also contains several computers, so the Marines can check their email, etc. They have some game tables, a modest library of donated books and CDs, etc. (Note: I'm working with
hanncollof Operation: Winchester to get DVD box sets and other donations for the rec room.)
Tucked back into the corner is the IMSFF office itself. Amazingly, this group has donated $18 million to Marine families since its inception a few years ago - all run by a group of 10 full and part time employees and some volunteers. It began with a nurse at the base hospital who often saw the families of injured Marines sleeping in the waiting room chairs or even in their cars while they visited their loved ones, not having enough money to pay for hotels and such.
The center covers everything west of the Mississippi River and is run in a building that used to be the Officer's Club. That should give you an idea how well they have used the space they have alloted. I was completely amazed at the level of organization and dedication I saw.
As to why the duty officer was there: He was barely old enough to drink - he MIGHT be 21 at the oldest - and will receive a medical discharge after being shot up by a sniper in Iraq, including at least one round which grazed his face and left him with permanent scars on his cheek. All of his friends, his entire unit, shipped BACK to Iraq two weeks ago without him. One of his buddies is also in the WW unit awaiting medical discharge - he came home missing a hand.
I don't think unless you've experienced it and listened to their stories that you get the full impact of what something like this rehabilitation and assistance program means. Just watching my dad ask questions and be pleased with the responses and amount of information he got back was astonishing. He said several times how much he wished something like the IMSFF had existed when he was in the hospital on base for six months recovering from his own injuries.
At the presentation of the check, Angela gave me a certificate for Fandom Rocks to thank them for their donation. They'll be updating their site with information about our donation later - their webmaster is a volunteer so it's dependant on his/her schedule as well.
As we left, Angela gave us several IMSFF shirts, including one extra. If I can manage it this month, that shirt will go with me to convention for signatures and then be donated to FR for auction.
In any respect, it was a good trip. The IMSFF is an incredible organization, and while my work with them for FR is done for now, I can fully see myself being involved with them on a personal level for a very long time to come.
I have some other pictures from the various cameras that we had. I'll try to add them as I get a hold of them.
This is Angela and I during the actual presentation of the check from Fandom Rocks, in the amount of $1,175.00. If you look, the certificate the IMSFF presented in return is in her hands. This is a portion of the rec room at the Wounded Warrior Center.
This is the certificate. The original is currently sitting in an acid-free folder in my desk until I can get it matted and framed. The IMSFF logo in the center was designed by an injured Marine and is also featured in relief on their challenge coins (which I mentioned in my personal post.)
Many thanks again to Angela for her time this weekend, and her dedication. Thanks also to all the Marines in the Wounded Warrior unit, as well as their brothers and sisters in arms worldwide for their service.
I drove down to my parents' place in Orange County from my house in Northern CA on Friday, about 9 hours' drive. Saturday morning, I picked up
ilovesnat the train station near my parents' house as she came in from LA to join me. My father, a veteran Marine, my mother, my boys, Lissie and I were all planning to be there for the handoff.
The drive to Oceanside was very short and we actually were a bit early, so we killed some time outside the gates of Camp Pendleton. Once we were through the gates, we followed my parents (who were in a second car) as my dad used to be stationed at Pendleton and knows the base layout. It's a very good thing as the Wounded Warrior Center is tucked away in a fairly secluded section of the base, just off the lake. The scenery was lovely and I wish we'd been able to take pictures, but due to Sec Regs we could not.
The IMSFF location is not just offices, as I previously thought. It is actually a 26-bed rehabilitation facility for Marines too injured to return to their regular unit, but not injured enough to require hospitalization. After transfer to the Wounded Warrior unit, they can continue with physiotherapy, meet with counselors, etc. About 50% are rehabilitated enough to return to their regular unit. Those that are unable to return to their unit and are scheduled for a medical discharge are then scheduled to work with counselors who assist them with the transition to civilian life. They also receive assistance with PTSD and other psychological issues related to their experiences and injuries.
We did not see the private quarters as they are in a separate wing of the building, but we were told it's very much like private hospital rooms with 1-2 beds per room. They are currently working on expanding into a three story facility to further separate the living quarters from the offices and communal rooms.
We were met by the duty officer, who is a member of the WW unit himself. He logged us in and went to find Angela, our contact with the IMSFF. Angela was very excited to see us, and we were taken on the tour by the duty officer and Angela. The Marines in the unit have their own kitchen, though they do not have a full kitchen (no stove or oven) due to fire regulations. From there, they are welcome to make their own meals or eat something they've picked up.
Colorful paintings of soldiers in silhouette line the hallway, each donated by the artist.
There is a game room off to one side, which is stocked with flat screen tvs and game systems from previous donors. There, they can play on several game systems including PS and XBox. The rec room is across the hall, and "the guys" gather there each evening to watch TV or a movies. That room also contains several computers, so the Marines can check their email, etc. They have some game tables, a modest library of donated books and CDs, etc. (Note: I'm working with
hanncollof Operation: Winchester to get DVD box sets and other donations for the rec room.)
Tucked back into the corner is the IMSFF office itself. Amazingly, this group has donated $18 million to Marine families since its inception a few years ago - all run by a group of 10 full and part time employees and some volunteers. It began with a nurse at the base hospital who often saw the families of injured Marines sleeping in the waiting room chairs or even in their cars while they visited their loved ones, not having enough money to pay for hotels and such.
The center covers everything west of the Mississippi River and is run in a building that used to be the Officer's Club. That should give you an idea how well they have used the space they have alloted. I was completely amazed at the level of organization and dedication I saw.
As to why the duty officer was there: He was barely old enough to drink - he MIGHT be 21 at the oldest - and will receive a medical discharge after being shot up by a sniper in Iraq, including at least one round which grazed his face and left him with permanent scars on his cheek. All of his friends, his entire unit, shipped BACK to Iraq two weeks ago without him. One of his buddies is also in the WW unit awaiting medical discharge - he came home missing a hand.
I don't think unless you've experienced it and listened to their stories that you get the full impact of what something like this rehabilitation and assistance program means. Just watching my dad ask questions and be pleased with the responses and amount of information he got back was astonishing. He said several times how much he wished something like the IMSFF had existed when he was in the hospital on base for six months recovering from his own injuries.
At the presentation of the check, Angela gave me a certificate for Fandom Rocks to thank them for their donation. They'll be updating their site with information about our donation later - their webmaster is a volunteer so it's dependant on his/her schedule as well.
As we left, Angela gave us several IMSFF shirts, including one extra. If I can manage it this month, that shirt will go with me to convention for signatures and then be donated to FR for auction.
In any respect, it was a good trip. The IMSFF is an incredible organization, and while my work with them for FR is done for now, I can fully see myself being involved with them on a personal level for a very long time to come.
I have some other pictures from the various cameras that we had. I'll try to add them as I get a hold of them.
This is Angela and I during the actual presentation of the check from Fandom Rocks, in the amount of $1,175.00. If you look, the certificate the IMSFF presented in return is in her hands. This is a portion of the rec room at the Wounded Warrior Center.
This is the certificate. The original is currently sitting in an acid-free folder in my desk until I can get it matted and framed. The IMSFF logo in the center was designed by an injured Marine and is also featured in relief on their challenge coins (which I mentioned in my personal post.)
Many thanks again to Angela for her time this weekend, and her dedication. Thanks also to all the Marines in the Wounded Warrior unit, as well as their brothers and sisters in arms worldwide for their service.