Veterans give phone cards to hospitalized soldiers
By Anthony V. Coppola, Staff Writer
Central New Jersey members of seven organizations making up the Veterans Council of Monroe and Jamesburg, including a Korean War veteran from Hightstown, traveled to Washington, D.C., recently so patients’ voices can be heard.
Council President Daniel Mann and 39 other veterans delivered about $8,000 worth of phone cards to soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Oct. 31.
Walter Reed provides health care for more than 150,000 soldiers, other service members, family members and retirees.
A World War II veteran, Mr. Mann, 81, said the idea arose in an August meeting and the contributions of local companies and residents keyed the effort.
”We publicized the cause in many local newspapers and distributed fliers,” Mr. Mann said. “The people of Monroe and Jamesburg and all surrounding areas were outstanding in their generosity.”
According to Mr. Mann, injured soldiers returning from the Middle East lose touch with family and friends due to long-distance-call restrictions at the medical center.
"You have soldiers arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan that live in Texas or California,” Mr. Mann said. “The center only has a local phone. They were very grateful to receive the phone cards.”
Mitch Dorum, of Hightstown, said he felt the trip was necessary to let the troops know their efforts are appreciated.
”The veterans were outstanding and appreciated everything we did for them,” Mr. Dorum said.
However, Mr. Dorum felt the environment the soldiers are in could use an upgrade.
”If you saw the condition of the patients, it wasn’t good,” he said.
Still, other members were uplifted by the bus trip.
Charles Koppelman, senior vice commander of Central Jersey Chapter 148 in Monroe Township, took the trip with five other members of his group. The chapter sponsors veterans who served in Korea at any point in their military career.
Mr. Koppelman, 72, was pleased with the positive outlook of the patients and the conditions provided by the medical center.
"We were able to visit soldiers that were accompanied by their wives and children,” Mr. Koppelman said. “It cheered them up that outsiders were coming in to visit. It shows them that they are not forgotten.”
Mr. Mann agreed the patients were optimistic and upbeat about their futures despite their experiences.
"These young people were exposed to extreme heat, sleep deprivation and the constant responsibility of being on guard,” Mr. Mann said. “The only people they could lean on are their buddies.”
Mr. Mann hopes the need for future trips isn’t necessary, but knows the chances of that are slim.
”We will be there to do all that we can,” Mr. Mann said.
The phone cards, he hopes, will make a big difference.
”Right now we’re glad to bring the soldiers’ homes to the hospital,” he added.