Commentary — More messengers of caring needed

by Scott Thompson, Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007 3:18 PM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page

When used properly, compassion can be a highly effective weapon.

Recently, the national spotlight found its way to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where reports on conditions there have been, shall we say, less than favorable.

We’ll leave that debate in the rear-view for now. What it indicates, at the least, is that a deeper support system is needed for our returning Soldiers, all of whom deserve and require the best care this nation can provide.

Numerous organizations spend their time and manpower filling these needs and two in particular have recently made their presence known at Fort Leavenworth: Operation Iraqi Children and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Both not-for-profit organizations strive to spread messages of care and compassion. Although the recipients of their generous efforts differ, their message of loving-kindness permeates all involved.

Since opening operations in 2004, OIC has shipped 300,000 kits filled with school supplies to Iraqi schoolchildren. Since being founded in 2002, the WWP has delivered more than 6,000 WWP backpacks and transitional care packs to wounded Soldiers recovering at Department of Defense hospitals throughout the world.

These numbers are significant, and they are to be commended. But they are not as commendable as the effort and the intent that is at the heart of the programs.

In a letter posted on OIC’s Web site, a letter from Staff Sgt. Raymond Knapp puts a human perspective on the program. More than 25 schools lie within Knapp’s battalion base defense area. He estimates that more than 2,000 children have been directly helped by OIC donations in his battalion’s area.

“Nothing can beat the feeling of goodwill when a young Soldier hands a packet of school supplies to a needy Iraqi kid,” Knapp wrote in the Dec. 27, 2006, letter. “Your work and ours has a positive effect in helping the people and more than likely saves Soldiers lives.”

The Soldiers use the school supply kits to influence the local community and build relationships within the local villages. For an American school child, the gift of such a packet might be overlooked. Cardboard folders, pencils and erasers don’t often inspire excitement in American children.

The Iraqi child, however, sees these items differently. When armed American Soldiers use compassion instead of force, the message translates from one of aggression to one of protection and care. Communication lines are opened and the environment becomes safer. A simple act of giving begets kindness, which in turn begets more kindness.

This is but one lesson outlined in Counterinsurgency field manual, FM 3-24.

The WWP helps injured service members who are returning from military conflicts transition back to their civilian lives. Raising public awareness and enlisting the public’s help for these Soldiers’ needs is one means to this goal, as is providing a network for injured Soldiers to communicate.

The WWP distributes backpacks filled with items a Soldier needs: clothes, a calling card, CD player and personal necessities.

In a letter posted on the WWP Web site, a wounded Soldier’s mother from North Carolina expressed her gratitude to the WWP for their efforts.

“Had it not been for your program, he would have arrived stateside with only a T-shirt, jogging pants and a pair of socks,” she said in the letter. “You are angels here on Earth.”

Recently, Fort Leavenworth’s TRADOC Analysis Center raised more than $5,000 for the WWP during a fund-raiser.

That money is important, but not as important as the feeling in which it is rooted. Tangible benefits will materialize because of the money, but the sentiment behind it is paramount.

Knowing that people care is something Lt. Col. John Hughes underlined as a vital component to the healing process. Hughes spent time at Walter Reed after suffering injuries sustained while serving in Iraq after the humvee he was riding in crashed into a concrete barrier while trying to avoid an improvised explosive device.

While in the District of Columbia, he befriended Soldiers who needed a friend and was befriended by others who sought to reach out. The outreach developed bonds built on common experiences, aided in the healing process and raised the spirits of all involved. The medical care they receive is vitally important, but nothing can replace a friend with a caring ear.

This is the message that OIC is delivering, one package at a time in Iraq. And it is the message that the wounded Soldier receives each time he or she receives a visit from a caring friend at hospitals throughout the world.

We need more messengers of compassion. To get involved with Operation Iraqi Children, visit www.operationiraqichildren.org. To get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. More ways to make a difference can be found at www.americasupportsyou.com.