Throughout 2004 and the beginning of 2005, Mount Vernon Chapter representatives made regular visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to hand out telephone long-distance calling cards to the numerous wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
This program has enabled our troops and their families to maintain contact with loved ones while recovering at Walter Reed. The phonecards were purchased from the PX and each card had the following message on the back: "Compliments of Mount Vernon Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, We Salute You For Your Service."
While the troops enjoyed the phonecards and the hospital staff welcomed our effort, we were recently informed that other organizations have followed our lead and there is now an abundant supply of phonecards for the wounded. The Mount Vernon Chapter has redirected its outreach efforts to the "Hearts Apart" program at Fort Belvoir to continue supporting our troops and their families.
A tip of the hat to Charlie Hymers for coordinating the successful phonecard program!