The LuLac Edition #237, May 31rst, 2007
PICTURE INDEX: FORMER SENATOR FRED THOMPSON AND WALTER REED ARMY HOSPITAL.
A VIEW OF WALTER REED
A few weeks ago, a letter circulated in the paper regarding Walter Reed Army Hospital. I thought I'd share the contents with you.
SUPPORT WRAMC
Editor:
On a recent trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), I saw first hand our wounded service men and women. With all the bad press as of late pertaining to the living conditions at WRAMC, I would like to say a few words on their behalf.
I first must say up front that I did not see or encounter these reported living conditions that has been reported in the news. These news reports urged everyone, from The President on down to the new commander of the hospital to make corrections on these problems. Let me give you a tour of the facility through my eyes.
All the rooms (quarters) at WRAMC are now only for the wounded vets coming back from overseas duty. All the other patients must find a room with a civilian hotel/motel nearby. In the past one could stay at the prestigious Malone House on post.
If you read the reports that are out on the sub-standard living conditions, they are in the housing units on the post grounds itself, detached from the hospital. With all this brought to light we know this will be fixed and our service men and women will have a better place to stay while receiving top notch medical treatment.
With that said I wish to state 3 facts which I saw first hand at WRAMC.
The professional staff of doctors, nurses and technicians are 100% supportive of all the wounded there. I saw and heard the hospital staff talking with a wounded service man. They were working out details for a time frame of events to have his family come there in time for his treatments.
When you see these seriously wounded service men and women you need not stare at their afflictions. I found myself looking at their eyes. I could see about nine out of every ten had an up-beat look about them, considering their existing condition. I feel that they had the look of satisfaction with their treatment they received and continue to receive. They did not have a look of disgust or the why me attitude about them. They surely did not want any pity, just a thank you for what they have done, would be just fine.
With all the political arguing as of late and especially in dealing with the war and it’s wounded, you best leave your party affiliation at the front door of the hospital. No one in that facility cares what party you support. The only support is for the physical and emotional wounds of our service men and women.
With the large numbers of wounded from this war coming to WRAMC, they are in the process of converting it from a regular hospital to strictly a facility for the wounded from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Giving them the best possible treatment and physical therapy, to facilitate their recovery is the main goal.
With a little more time and command emphasis, WRAMC will once again regain the status of “second to none”. Remember it is always easy to point the finger at someone for these latest deficiencies found there. Now is the time to support our country and get the best care possible for all the wounded service members.
Let’s thank God that we have such a facility like Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Just because their engine back fired and sputtered a little during their transition to a different type of medical care facility, it is the best we have for these wounded right now. Let’s give WRAMC all our support it needs to make it a gem of a facility. I know for a fact that the troops would appreciate it. Like telling them a job well done.
A closing thought:
Let us not forget those who did not make it to a place like WRAMC.
Let us always keep them in our prayers.
Respectfully,
Bruce J. Prandy
THOMPSON GETTING IN
On May 30th, The Weekly Standard reported that Fred Thompson will set up a "testing-the-waters" committee that will begin accepting contributions on June 4. Also on May 30, The Politico reported that Thompson plans to enter the presidential race over the Independence Day weekend. But a Thompson associate quoted in The Hillary Spot said "there will not be a presidential announcement from Fred Thompson on July 4." Either way, if you'd like some Thompson stuff or want to join the effort to draft him, here are some links. http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/?gclid=CPyOqojPuYwCFQLAQAod9i8fXw and
posted by David Yonki @ 7:48 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
With all the bad press as of late pertaining to the living conditions at WRAMC, I would like to say a few words on their behalf. I first must say up front that I did not see or encounter these reported living conditions that has been reported in the news.
Either:
1. The ultra-liberal news media built sets (where the moon landing sets used to be) and made all this up to get ratings and embarrass the president.
Or:
2. Bruce Prandy is freakin' blind. Either organically, emotionally or loyally.
And not only that, but:
3. Those vets who felt abandoned couldn't all have been lying.
Bruce, the Emperor isn't wearing any new clothes. And his hospital has a bad ward.
As a Federal Govt employee (Army), I can offer some insight on what happened down there. #1, The facilities department had to go through an A-76 study, which is a public/private compitition. The deck is stacked a certain way, as if the govt team wins, they have to have staff on post to do the job. If the contractor wins, he just has to prove he has the "staff" to do the work. They don't have to be "on-post". Plus, in a lot of cases, they end up being "casual, or day" workers, most of whom don't even have green cards. We had many cases of workers coming on post and getting booted off because they weren't here legally. To top it off, contractors work under a statement of work (SOW), which details what work the contractor will perform. If painting or plumbing or even cleaning up after themselves isn't on that SOW- Tough shit. You want it done, cough up more bucks. No assuming anything. #2, toss in that Walter Reed is a BRAC (Base Reduction and Closure) base, and the dollars to run that base start to dry up. If was kinda like the perfect storm that boned those vets.
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