Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC is the first stop for many of America's returning wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. Known as "the amputee ward", the orthopedic Ward 57 at WRAMC houses some of the most severely injured patients for weeks or even months. The painful sacrifice of losing one or more limbs is the new battle these service members and their families now fight.
Operation Ward 57 was started to have a direct way for individuals and companies to show their support and raise funds for these courageous men and women who have given so much. The program is run through pro-football player Kerry Carter's THINK BIG FOUNDATION, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Tax ID: 20-196-2446, in partnership with Atmosphere Artist Management LLC. This is a grass-roots, volunteer effort. Each person who buys a T-shirt, not only shows their support, but directly contributes to items for the Ward, patients, family members and staff.
The Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society is honored to support Operation Ward 57 through a special charitable fundraiser. We will be selling medallions featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi, the heroic Jedi Master from Star Wars - The Clone Wars. The medallions were produced in a one-time run of 1000 medallions with the permission of Lucasfilm Ltd. All proceeds generated through the sale of these medallions will be donated to Operation Ward 57.
Author Cork Graham is a San
Francisco-based former combat photographer, combat medic and
Vietnam political prisoner, who writes and edits film scripts, books, feature articles, acts, does public speaking, produces, and teaches writing.
He was very impressed with our organization and the help we provide and wanted to do what he could. 50% of the sales of his book go directly to Operation Ward 57.
We want to "pimp out" the nurses break room this week and would like you to help raise $1,000 to do this. We have already purchased a new microwave, coffee maker and toaster and they LOVE them. This little space is far from comfy, but so important to everyday on the Ward. These nurses are active duty, former service members and civilians who work 24/7 to take care of our severely wounded soldiers. Let's take care of them.
Can you kick in $10 bucks and help? Thank you!! Deborah
Operation Ward 57 is a proud supporter of the GI FILM FESTIVAL
Celebrating Armed Forces Weekend, May 13-17, 2009 in Washington DC. Look for our ad in the program and we are giving tickets to patients, family and staff to attend this new and exciting festival celebrating the American GI. www.gifilmfestival.com
M3 ROCK FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY ROCK 98
M3 Rock Festival Presented by 98 Rock, a premier East Coast ‘80s-focused glam rock and heavy metal festival, at Columbia, Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, May 30th.
Along with heavy-hitting headlining sets from the Dee Snyder-fronted glam kings Twisted Sister, San Diego hard-rockers Ratt, and massive Massachusetts rock group Extreme, this festival features 2 stages, 16 bands, 10 hours of music, and a wide variety of entertaining booths and attractions.
Operation Ward 57 will have a tent and be selling shirts on site as well as giving the artists shirts to wear and support America's wounded warriors. Joining us in the booth is To the Fallen Records, www.tothefallenrecords.com, original music by veteran and active duty artists will be donating $2 out of every album sold to us.
Patients and their guests can get FREE tickets by contacting scott@operationward57.org or calling 206.829.9822
THOMAS SOTO WINS CAGE FIGHT!
SGT Thomas Soto represented Operation Ward 57 in a big way at his latest Mixed Martial Arts cage fight on April 11, 2009. His opponent, Angel Ortiz, confident from his last win by TKO entered the cage, running around as if he had already won the day. Soto focused on maintaining his cool. He said, "I could only hear my own voice say "Calm down and connect, hit 'em really, really hard."
After 2 minutes and 48 seconds, he won his MMA bought against opponent Angel Ortiz with a rear naked choke and submission. Not only did he win representing wounded soldiers, but Soto entered the fight to the Temptations song, "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" to honor Vietnam war era veterans.
Adding even more impact to his entrance, Soto was followed by his coach and entourage holding a NEW Operation Ward 57 banner with his nickname, "La Vaca Loca." The 5 foot high banner features the intense new Cadecus (staff with wings and serpents) that represents the medical field today and is available for purchase on our long-sleeve shirts. The banner was then lowered down the side of the cage as he was introduced.
Operation Ward 57 is a proud supporter of SGT Thomas Soto. You can watch him AND HIS WIFE, Faviola Bame fight in the same place (for the first time ever) at the National Amateur Kickboxing Championship, Saturday April 25 in Washington DC!! amateurkickboxingfederation.org
Photo credits: Charlie Shoemaker
MMA TEAM OPERATION WARD 57 AT GRAPPLER'S QUEST
Cheer on Mixed Martial Arts team Operation Ward 57 at Grappler's Quest Saturday, March 7th, New Jersey
Team Operation Ward 57
left to right: Joseph Mouy Thomas Soto James Zamarripa Claudia Smith Isreal Felix David Firth (not pictured)
The Kottonmouth Kings have sold over 2
million records and 1.5 million concert tickets around the
world!
In addition to this incredible news,
the new video for the album's first single "Where I'm Going"
features vocalist Brad X wearing Operation Ward 57's football
jersey!
"Where I'm Going" is a deeply
introspective song about finding yourself says front man Johnny
Richter."
One of the biggest rock bands in the world, 3 DOORS DOWN took time to sign autographs and talk with Ward 57 patients before their show in Virginia in December.
They also autographed a Ward 57 T-Shirt that will be auctioned off at a later date. 21 service members, patients and staff enjoyed the concert and for two of them, it was their first concert ever.
Special Thanks to 3DD manager, Phin Daly for making this happen!
GIVING THANKS TO OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS
Founder Deborah Semer
speaks with Operation Ward 57 supporter
AUSTIN HILL on national radio FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 28 - 5:30-6:00pm EST / 2:30-3:00pm PST
Austin will be sitting in
for Tom Sullivan of the Fox Business Channel, on the
syndicated "Tom Sullivan Show” on the Fox News Talk
Radio Network
Austin Hill is a part of the next generation of American
media personalities. He hosts the evening show for Washington,
DC's 630 WMAL, and is a frequent guest host for the syndicated
"Brian and the Judge" program and "The Tom Sullivan Show" on the
Fox News Talk Radio Network.
He has hosted some of America's finest
talk radio outlets, including KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles, KIRO in
Seattle, 92.3 FM KTAR in Phoenix and 560 WIND in
Chicago. Austin is also author of "White House: Confidential:
The Little Book Of Weird Presidential History."
It's hard to keep each room in an older hospital
comfortable. Amputations, ongoing surgeries and wound care make wearing
clothing difficult. Those issues combined with variations in room
temperature and cold DC nights can keep patients shivering.
Starting Veterans Day through the
end of '08, Operation Ward 57 will be giving new polar fleece blankets to
patients and family members on Wards 57/58.
THANKS TO KIRBY WILBUR & CO and the KVI listeners
who kicked off this drive in style and met our goal of 100 blankets! The
next batch of blankets is on its way;
purchase one for a patient today by clicking here…
FORT BRAGG TURKEY BOWL
The men and women at C co 96th Civil
Affairs Bn, Fort Bragg want to honor Sammy Lugo (still at Walter
Reed recovering from his injuries) by wearing the Ward 57
football jersey in their upcoming Turkey Bowl.
DONATIONS FROM HP & REDBOX MOVIES
Thanks to the initiative of two employees at two
very large companies Operation Ward 57 has received some wonderful
donations!
John Fiorino at
HP spearheaded the effort through HP’s employee
giving program to donate $5,000 worth of equipment.
Michael Morelli at
Redbox (DVD rental) also spearheaded an effort
supported by the company’s leadership to donate 200 new movies
to the ward and personally visit with Regional Operations
Supervisor Kenneth Williams. THANK
YOU !!
