www.myspace.com/ward57

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.

 

 

August 28, 2007

For Immediate Release

 

 

REALITY TV ROCKERS, FALL FROM GRACE, JOIN THE EFFORT TO HELP AMERICA’S WOUNDED WARRIORS OF WARD 57

 

FFG wear T-shirt, September 5th, Bodog Music Battle of the Bands Finale on Fuse TV

Fall From Grace

Seattle, WA – Seattle based rock band, Fall from Grace (FFG) have climbed to the top of 7,000 bands in a nationwide competition for America’s best unsigned band. The competition turned into a reality TV show hit airing weekly on Fuse TV, www.fuse.tv. Bodog Music Battle of the Bands is the story of 10 unsigned bands touring the country as they vie for a $1 million record deal.  Battle finalists FFG, will use their new-found TV audience and this opportunity to help America’s Wounded Warriors by joining forces with OPERATION WARD 57. 

 

The four young rockers of FFG were moved when approached by personal friend and founder of the national fund/awareness raising effort, Deborah Semer. Ward 57 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC, home of “Warrior Care” is filled with those that have been torn apart both physically and mentally from the Iraq war. They are taking months to recover only to be discharged to substandard housing for even more recovery time, with some taking years. This is the Ward of the forgotten.

 

In 2006, two nursing staff of Ward 57 created a T-shirt to give their amputee patients a morale boost and a sense of belonging. When Semer’s husband SGT Scott Cameron was stationed there as a nurse in January of 07, Semer learned first-hand about the numerous problems facing the hospital and patient care on Ward 57 in particular. SGT Cameron and Semer revised the shirt and started this national effort through NFL player Kerry Carter’s not-for-profit, Think Big Foundation after a personal visit by Carter to a young amputee on the ward from Seattle and….a very big Seahawk fan.

 

Members and fans of Seattle’s FFG will wear the WARD 57 T-shirts during their upcoming promo events, rehearsals and at the live TV finale in Los Angeles on Sept. 5th at the House of Blues. Whether they win or not is up to America, however FFG is committed to educating and recruiting other musicians to support the efforts of OPERATION WARD 57. 

 

Although there is no political affiliation, there is personal one.  Drummer Kenny Bates of FFG was activated Army National Guard.  His military interest came at a young age of 12 and by the age of 21 he was one of Washington’s most active cadet instructors teaching everything from leadership, physical training, team building and various forms of search & rescue.  After high school Bates went onto serve in the 81st BCT (Brigade Combat Team) and later serving as a combat engineer in the B Company 1st of the 303rd armored battalion.  He was forced to leave the National Guards after developing encephalitis from the small pox and anthrax vaccinations. 

 

Bates jumped at the chance to be part of OPERATION WARD 57, “We owe them this, we are so lucky to get up every day and have the opportunity to play for our fans, and while they are fighting a war, losing limbs & risking their lives, we are home partying & playing our music, I want them to know that we are thankful for their efforts.”

 

Front man, Tryg Littlefield, envisions the difference that could be made if just a third of the musicians in the U.S. joined Semer’s efforts to create awareness for Ward 57.  “The changes at the ward for these soldiers could be phenomenal, if we could all make the commitment as musicians to educate our fan bases.”

 

OPERATION WARD 57 T-SHIRTS are $20 and jerseys are $45. All donations and purchases are tax-deductible. Proceeds go directly to buy items needed on Ward 57 such as amputee wheelchairs, medical equipment, DVD players, TVs, movies, music, washing machines and other items.  Visit one of the following websites for information on OPERATION WARD 57 & to learn how you can make a difference!

www.thinkbigfoundation.org/ward57.html

www.myspace.com/fallfromgracemusic

www.myspace.com/ward57

www.bodog.tv/shows/battle/

 

JOIN FFG and OPERATION WARD 57 AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Wednesday, August 29th   6:00 PM

Hooters in Tacoma – viewing party with FFG

 

Wednesday, September 5, 5:30PM

Bodog FINALE Viewing Party @ CJ Brennens, Renton, Washington

 

Wednesday, September 5, 6:00PM

House Of Blues, Sunset Strip, Bodog Battle FINALE

Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the House of Blues Box Office.

For tickets, call (213) 480-3232, www.HOB.com/LA.

 

FUSE will air the LIVE show at 7PM PST / 10PM EST.

 

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OPERATION WARD 57 CONTACT:

Deborah Semer / 206.829.9822

Atmosphere Artist Management

info@operationward57.org

 

ARTIST CONTACT:

Patti Chambers/ 360.620.7202

Fall From Grace PR

mzchatt@comcast.net