SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE 455TH CASF
Dear American Hero Quilters,
On behalf of the 455th CASF currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, here in Bagram, Afghanistan. I just want to express our sincere gratitude for a box we recently received from you! On request for additional blankets, ask and you shall receive, we were beyond surprised and touched when a box of your quilts arrived!
Although I know your quilts were not directly intended to arrive at our doorstep, they are going to some of the most deserving wounded warriors in the world right now. Our CASF, or Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility is responsible for the reception of all patients needing higher levels of medical care for the entire theater of Afghanistan. Wounded troops are sent here from the outlying areas as part of the rapid escalation of care for those wounded in combat. However our primary mission and responsibility is to ensure these heroes get started on their journey home. The first stop on that journey for these soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines is Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. We plan, and coordinate at least five flights out to Germany a week ensuring excellent medical care is continued from the ground her in Bagram to the air while in transport. We prepare their records and ready their needed medications, equipment and supplies for the eight hour trip. We then lift every litter, and bring every patient out to the aircraft they will start their long road to recovery on, which is where your quilts have come into play.
As we have fully entered the winter months here in Afghanistan, the cold weather is felt by all, but none more than the wounded warriors we transport. Each night as we load up patients to fly out, they spend a fair amount of time outside enroute to the aircraft. The aircraft used for these trips stays quite cold for the long trip, so each patient leaves our CASF with a blanket of some kind in hand. On behalf of everyone here at the CASF, it has been an absolute privilege to place your quilts on some of our most severely wounded troops since your box arrived. The looks on their faces as they realize the handmade blankets are theirs to keep has been priceless. And although many of our patients are unaware they are even being sent to Germany due to their condition, it warms our hearts to send them with a patriotic gift from home when we can’t send them with much else.
Your quilts have undoubtedly touched thousands since you began your endeavor. I just wanted you to know how far and wide your beautiful works of art are reaching, even to the mountains of Afghanistan. We cannot thank you enough for your support of our mission, but most importantly our wounded heroes we are honored to care for.
Sincerely,
Elsie
1LT, Army Nurse Corps
455th CASF, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
“No duty is more urgent that that of returning thanks”
Authur unknown
Judy and Julie took the filled cart into the hospital and quilts will be delivered to the wounded warriors. Notice the tree in bloom. It was a clear day and behind the covered walkway you could see Mt. Rainier.
