Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News...

Actually, the Washington Post has been doing a great job of that...see the links below...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/17/AR2007021701172.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/18/AR2007021801335.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/19/AR2007021900759.html

But I chose to take "the road less travelled by"...anyone can complain and play the partisan politics blame game.

February 20, 2007


President George W Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Vice President Richard B Cheney
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Charles E Schumer
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Congressman John M McHugh
120 Washington Street, Suite 200
Watertown, NY 13601


RE: Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Long Term Stay Accommodations

VIA E-MAIL AND POSTAL MAIL

Dear President Bush et al:

I realize by now that you have received numerous complaints and criticisms regarding the situation existing for our troops involved in long term stays at WRAMC. I would prefer not to finger point and blame, but to take a different approach to this issue. My father always taught me that it is better to be a part of the solution than a part of the problem. This is a value that I try to pass on to both my own children, and my students.

I realize that progress is now being made in repairing facilities available, streamlining the paperwork and treatment process, and ensuring adequate staffing. However, with the funds being spent on remedying these areas of deficiency, there may not be as much available to address the intangible needs of these troops and their families and help to make their experiences in long-term stay at WRAMC memorable in a positive way.

I currently have my own “army” of five children, about fifteen 3- and 4-year olds (in my church AWANA Cubbies group), and approximately eighty-five 7th graders at my disposal. Please let us know the needs of these troops, whether it be cards and letters, or fund-raising for recreational equipment and supplies, or simply decorations for their rooms. I would be more than happy to enlist my own troops to meet the needs of the troops of this country.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and all that each and every one of you does on a daily basis for all of us.