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.

 

 

December 19, 2007

For Immediate Release

 

 

ROCK BAND CINDER ROAD WILL PERFORM ACOUSTIC SET FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS ON WARDs 57 & 58 AT WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

Part of Operation Ward 57 Holiday Cheer Program

 

Washington D.C. – On Friday, December 21, 2007, rock band CINDER ROAD will make a special stop on their tour to play an intimate acoustic set for wounded warriors and family members at the WARD 57/58 family room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC, “Home of “Warrior Care.”  These Wards house mostly OEF/OIF amputee and traumatic brain injury patients. The special visit will take place from noon to 1:30 PM as part of Operation Ward 57’s Holiday Cheer program.

 

In Early 2007, Cinder Road signed to EMI/AudioNest Records and have toured steadily behind the band's debut album, SUPERHUMAN. Frontman/vocalist/guitarist Mike Ruocco, guitarists Chris Shucosky and Pat Patrick, drummer Mac Calvaresi, and bassist, Nat Doegen have been extremely supportive of the troops playing high-profile shows for the Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) network in Japan, Korea, Guam, as well as other remote areas such as Cuba, Greenland and the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.  This will mark their first visit to Walter Reed just days before they embark on another AFE overseas tour.

 

Collaborating with other service providers and reaching out to the entertainment industry has been a primary goal for Operation Ward 57 founder, Deborah Semer who believes, “Veteran’s affairs are all of our affairs.” Over the next several weeks Operation Ward 57 will deliver gifts from funds raised and collected such as music CDs donated from over ten record labels, artists and distributors, handmade cards from a support group in Arizona and the signature Ward 57 T-shirts will be adapted to fit amputees by the organization, Sew Much Comfort. Crossing Healingworks, a group that provides massage and acupuncture for the staff of Walter Reed has joined in the holiday effort to also extend their services specifically to the Ward. Best Selling author Andrew Carroll with Operation Homecoming has also pledged to participate with a book-signing and intimate writing workshop.  A tremendous show of collaboration and support is being made by Impact a Hero. The organization is contributing $1,000 to Operation Ward 57’s holiday cheer effort.

 

There are plenty of ways for individuals and organizations to join in. Just last week, Dr. Ron and Diane Surowitz accidentally “bumped into” a patient of Dr. Ron’s while at the airport who let them know their son is now an amputee from an RPG that went through his humvee in Iraq. They went to visit him and while standing at the elevator “bumped into” Semer, on her way to Ward 57 also. Since that meeting the Surowitzs have sent cards and emails to all of their friends in Florida letting them know about this effort and are even looking for ways the hospital Dr. Surowitz works at can also help raise funds and awareness.

 

Show your support by purchasing a T-shirt or making a donation at www.operationward57.org. The program is run through pro-football player (former Washington Redskin / Seattle Seahawk) Kerry Carter's THINK BIG FOUNDATION a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit, Tax ID: 20-196-2446, in partnership with Atmosphere Artist Management LLC.

 

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MEDIA/PROGRAM CONTACT: Deborah Semer / (206) 310-9603 / info@operationward57.org

 

ARTIST CONTACT: Carleen Donovan or Gina-Marie DeGregorio / (212) 246-2640