"Please keep in mind we are a volunteer organization right now and will try our best to answer your emails and questions as quickly as possible! For more immediate assistance please contact: deborah@operationward57.org, 206.829.9822, operationward57.org"
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Operation Ward 57's Interests
General
Music
Musicians, wear the Ward 57 T-shirt on tour or in your next video. Please contact us!
FALL FROM GRACE WINS $1 MILLION CONTRACT!
FALL FROM GRACE WILL BE WEARING THE SHIRT ON FUSE TV DURING THE BODOG MUSIC BATTLE OF THE BANDS FINALE SHOW!
THANKS TO HED PE AND ALL SUBURBAN NOIZE RECORDING ARTISTS AND THE LABEL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
GET YOUR SHIRT AT WWW.OPERATIONWARD57.ORG
Movies
CHECK OUT THE ARMY TIMES FRONT PAGE!!
www.armytimes.com
By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 21, 2007 18:06:09 EST
Melodic vocals and acoustic guitar chords reverberated Dec. 21 through the halls on Ward 57 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., bringing holiday rock music to wounded soldiers recovering from life-threatening injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Up-and-coming rock band Cinder Road, who toured earlier this year with Daughtry, volunteered to lift injured soldiers’ spirits by playing a free concert on Ward 57 and Ward 58 at Walter Reed, where numerous amputee and shock-blast victims are recuperating from the perils of war.
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“We want to thank soldiers for their sacrifice,” said Cinder Road vocalist Mike Ruocco, who added that the band was happy to play the show before they head overseas to play a number of shows with the Armed Forces Entertainment network. Cinder Road will tour with ‘80s style rock sensation Tesla starting in February 2008.
Cinder Road members said they were moved by the experience.
“It was an eye-opening experience for us. We have done many military tours in the past, but we have never played for soldiers who were injured at war. For us to see the effects of battle is awakening. Many of these soldiers have families, so for us to be able to bring some semblance of comfort into their day is the most we can ask for,” Ruocco said.
Put on by OPERATION WARD 57, a national effort to bring support and attention to amputee victims of war, the small concert for soldiers and their families brought the power of rock to battle-weary soldiers. “Live music can help them heal. There is nothing more powerful and visceral,” said Deborah Semer, the group’s founder.
“It was great acoustics. The sounds traveled all the way down the halls to all the patients,” said Army Staff Sgt. Mike Selleh, a Ward 57 patient suffering traumatic brain injury from blows to the head, neck and shoulder.
“They love this [the rock band],” Army 1st Lt. Jillian Murphy, a combat nurse on Ward 57, said. “They enjoy the support from people. That is what we did not have during Vietnam. The soldiers identify more with rock stars,” said Murphy.
Murphy said Ward 57 sees a lot of amputees because soldiers’ body armor does a good job of protecting vital organs when improvised explosive devices detonate, but leaves the limbs vulnerable.Also, shock-blast injuries resulting from explosions are causing a large number of TBI victims at the hospital, Murphy said.
“A lot of these guys have at least mild traumatic brain injury,” said Murphy.
Selleh, who spends his time looking for fellow soldiers suffering from symptoms known to TBI, said it may take more than five years for him to fully recover.
“On bad days I can’t focus and concentrate,” said Selleh.
The music makes a big difference, he said.
“We are trying to find new direction with the changes in our lives,” said Selleh.
Operation Ward 57 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.
About me: Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC is the Army's flagship hospital and first base for America's returning wounded warriors fresh from the Iraq battlefield.
Ward 57, is known as "the amputee ward" where most have lost one or more limbs along with other disfiguring and internal injuries. Their painful sacrifice is the new battle they fight.
"Operation Ward 57" is a way for individuals, companies and organizations to show their support and help provide items and activities for the Ward.
The program is run through pro-football player Kerry Carter's THINK BIG FOUNDATION, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, Tax ID: 20-196-2446, in partnership with Atmosphere Artist Management LLC.
www.operationward57.org
"Of all of the debts owed to the men and women who serve in our military, and to their families, none is more important than to ensure that those wounded in battle are treated immediately, and for as long as is required, with all of the medical skill, compassion, and effectiveness that can be brought to bear,” Nancy Pelosi said. “It is clear that improvements are necessary to make certain that our national obligation is met."
GET YOUR SHIRT AT WWW.OPERATIONWARD57.ORG
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I was so HAPPY to get the email that said how much money you guys raised and all the great and wonderful things that will be coming your way! WOOHOO!! GREAT JOB to all those that worked so hard to get that money raised and all those that donated! Keep up the good work and stay strong and positive..! xoxo
Thanks for your support!!! We sure appreciate you helping out our Veteran's!!! Please do what you can for these hero's as your freedom is a result of their service and sacrifice!!! Don't forget... Thank a Vet!!!
Sending love from me and all of us in the Dept. of Surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. We've had the privilege and honor of caring for all of the Wounded Warriors that have passed thru our doors and that have been sent on to be cared for at Walter Reed. We never know what happens to them when they leave us, but we wish they could know that we remember them all and that they each have left a mark on our souls that we carry always and that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
As I Celebrate the 232nd Birthday of our Country, I also celebrate all of you! HAPPY 4th of JULY!! Thanks for all you have done to ensure this day of celebration remains 'FREE'!!
So i didn't get the bic, but we did get a decent turn out. It would of been better if the cubs/sox series final game wasn't on sunday, but what can u do right! Kourt has the pics and i am sure she will send them. It was a fun time, me and my friends had a blast!
Thank you for your efforts to help soldiers wounded. I hope you enjoy my bulletins, and will share them with your friends as I will do the same for your organizations efforts. Earl
I want to thank u for setting up ward 57. It boggles my mind to see so much support to injured vets/soldiers. Oh and i am good friends with Kourtney who is doing the cut a thon and i told her i would be up there the whole time in uniform and if they earn over 1000 dollars i would let the girls bic my head as a little motive to get more people to come to this amazing event! Thanks so much for everything. Sgt. Tidball
i was gonna go to the springfield va show but it dont look like ima be able to get out of class so ima wait till the strange noise tour thanks i appreciate the help
hey you guys said to hit you guys up when i was going to see hed pe and you could get me in free since im an iraqi veterern i was jus wonderin if you could still do that?
Three 'Toasts' are in order: 1) To all the brave men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country; 2) To all who have served and are now home trying to 'rebuild' their lives, especially the men & women on WARD 57! and last, but not least, 3) To all our men and women whom are still in harms way, where ever they may be. Godspeed to all.............
