When folks ask me what I do when volunteering for the Fisher Houses at BAMC, the only answer I can muster is "whatever needs to be done".  Last Monday, for instance, I spent the day on the 9th hole giving playing cards out to golfers who were also playing the "poker run" in addition to their golf game, to benefit the Fisher House.  Today is my day to spend "hanging out" at the new Fisher Houses at BAMC.  You just never know what the needs will be, so you just play it by ear. 

My ear heard a mom today.  As I was talking to a resident, she mentioned that her children were not going to be able to go outside, as she didn't have any cold weather clothes for them...we were saying this as we stood outside shivering!  I thought, "Oh dear!  We have the big Easter egg hunt for the kids tomorrow!"  We've had 80 degree weather for the past couple of weeks.  In south Texas, who'd have thought we'd suddenly have 30-something weather?  As I am also a Soldiers' Angel member, I called our local bankroll guy and explained the situation.  The answer, "Get whatever is needed, we'll reimburse you for it." 

This lady, also a soldier medic, was ready to deploy the day after she learned of her husband's injuries.  Needless to say, her deployment was cancelled for now. This is the 2nd Purple Heart her husband has been awarded.  He was in his 2nd deployment when an IED exploded under his seat in a Bradley.  She had just settled her 3 children with her brother in Florida, and was packing to head to Iraq when she got the news he'd been injured.  He's fighting to keep one of his feet, but with two crushed ankles, the prognosis remains unknown.  She had done her AIT at BAMC, as a medic, and knew the top quality care her husband would receive here, though she did not realize the role the Intrepid would play in her husband's recovery.  She had seen it being built when she was in AIT.  [For those of you not "military savvy", I apologize, but not being military myself, I cannot translate "AIT".  I just know it means advanced training.]

While she readied the children to stay with her mother-in-law, also a current resident of the Fisher House, another couple [just arrived] asked if they could accompany us on our shopping excursion.  They had been given gift cards, also from Soldiers' Angels so that he could buy some clothes.  He'd just arrived from Germany, and had nothing.  His wife had flown in, but coming from the desert southwest, and did not have a coat.  "Hey, we're going to south Texas in April, it'll be in the 80's, right?"  Well, it was a couple of days ago, but not on this Easter weekend!!!  He's a former Special Forces cum National Guard. 

So off we went, to shop for "warm" clothes.  Yeah, right!  In South Texas in April?  The clearance racks netted some hoodis, some sweat pants, some jeans, and little else!  Coats?  None in sight!  So if y'all are moving south from the cold regions, and feel like you won't need that cold weather stuff...either donate them to Soldiers Angels, or bring them along for the rare occasions when the weather gets into the 30's like it is today. 

The bottom line here, if you want to do something for the troops, donate your dollars to Soldiers' Angels, or the Fisher House.  That is what residents of Fisher House are telling their family and friends.  Guess they know the value of it.  Right? 

For me, I'm just grateful to be in the company of heroes.  That's what I do at the Fisher House.