Hi Everyone,

I am sure there is tons of information around to answer my question, but I thought I would ask all the experts here and take the express route

I was wondering - does the Medical Center let civilians like me visit the injured heores to personally thank them or is that not allowed? If it is, I wanted to see if any NC/VA "junkies" would be interested in going. If not, I just might go alone someday, but well I have a feeling that they probably won't let just anyone visit. I want to personally thank these heroes in some way. I don't really want to say what instigated this thought; I am more concerned about the lgoistics side.

Thanks oh smart ones out there!

Lynn

I don't have an answer for you, but if you do go....  Could you let me know?

My Quilting Bee and I have a Warrior at Walter Reed right now.  If you could hug him from us, we would be so greatful.

Lynn Hello!

I am not up to date on Walter Reed but just to be sure before traveling that far to check in with them.

Here is a link to Walter Reed.

http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx

Click on visitors guide on the web site.

Blessings, door

 

 

I'm pretty sure I've read and also heard from someone who volunteers there that WRMC does not allow random visitors.  

 

cj/

I just read about an organization called Operation Second Chance, founded by Cindy McGraw.  Their goal is to aid and assist wounded service men and women, and their families while recovering at WRMC.  They do anything from picking up groceries for families to bringing care packages to patients, but most of all they offer support during a difficult time.  They have volunteers that help and they do a lot of fundraising to accomplish these goals.  Due to privacy reasons and by agreement, only the board members are allowed to visit patients.  Perhaps this may be a way that you can indirectly offer support to service members recovering at WRMC.  Hope this is helpful.  www.operationsecondchance.org

Maria C.

thanks for the information all

I figured as much, but hey I had to ask

I 'll check out the link as well as re-read the other efforts page. I just wanted to directly help in some way. I was just curious after seeing the recent shows on tv

 

I'm in NC, if you find a way to get in, let me know, I would love to go.

 

that is an awesome thing you want to do. i have no idea if Walter Reed lets civilians in. i am actually in the process of finishing there job application (i have been working on it 2 nights in a row...its really long) with the hopes to able to get a job that makes a difference. im from ny but i would totally meet you guys there if you went.

My husband is active duty military and when we were stationed down in southern Maryland we took our then newborn to walter reed for some testing and as I recall, you needed military ID to get on base er post its army LOL.  So unless you have someone to get you one, I am thinking you can't just say hi can I come visit.  As far as getting into the actual hospital part I think you need to know a specific patients name or room number just as if you were going to a regular hospital.  Last time we were there was almost 4.5 years ago so things could have changed.  Good Luck! 

Dear Vtleogal,

Thank you for wanting to help the wounded veterans.  Here are some additional links you may want to check out. 

Hidden Hero - http://hiddenhero.com/

DAV - Disable American Veterans - http://www.dav.org/volunteers/volunteer_opportunities.html

VA Hospitals - http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/ 

 

 

Thanks everyone!

I am behind in the posts.

I checked with the VA hospital in Fayetteville (better than the one in Durham and is only about 1.5 hrs from my house) anyway their volunteer programs are not really what I want which was admin type stuff. I want to visit these soldiers/talk to them, perhaps be there when family is not there yet,, let them know that America does care.  I have a degree in Psychology; I am trained in counseling and used to be a crisis intervention counselor back in my days. a lot of my friends have stated that I am really good at helping. .so I was hoping to really help directly. I will check out the links above.. I realize I am asking for a lot, but hey, if I don't have hope, I have nothing at all:).

I can't believe I overlooked Sue's organization..   thanks for the reminder!