The weather here in Germany was perfect for the spouse's drive to Landstuhl. My daughter Therese was also able to go, this being her second trip with us. We took two large trays of cupcakes, cards and letters from the U.S., infamous Rittersport chocolate, and supplies the liaison's had asked for last week.

Because of the nice weather, the outpatients had the chance to tour the grounds and to do some shopping at the PX at Ramstein. There were twelve wounded marines on the inpatient wards at Landstuhl yesterday. Of those, nine were in surgery. Our visits with the other three were delightful. We always leave goodies and letters in the rooms on the tray tables for those who were in surgery during our visits. We also visited with other servicemembers who were were attached to marine units and were serving alongside marines when they were wounded. One of the marines was still drowsy from surgery but was excited about having visitors. Most wounded marines don't know that Marine Forces Europe is just up the road from them so they don't expect to see family members coming with goodies in tow and are happy to see their "own kind". My daughter had every one of them going with a series of really dorky jokes that were well received. One that got the most laughs was "Two snowmen are hanging out and one says to the other 'You smell carrots?'"

The need:
Thanks to the thousands of calling cards that have been donated, our wounded are able to call home just about whenever they want when they are able to do so. They are well supplied and really all they need at this point are greetings from home. They dug right into the letters sent this last week. They especially enjoy artwork, cards, and letters from children. Second only to greetings from family and friends, greetings from children are the biggest hit.

The liaison's office has specifically requested two items: women's white cotton underwear in all sizes, and cigarettes. I have received a few monetary donations specifically for the purpose of purchasing cigarettes and would do so again if anyone is interested. Cigarettes are not allowed to be sent through the USPS. All cigarettes here cost $32.55 a carton. All smokers are rationed to 4 cartons a month and ration cards are not allowed to be shared. If someone in the U.S. sends any variety of Marlboro in-the-box and marks the customs form with "personal goods" or something of that nature, I cannot be held responsible for the consequences to the sender. Anything sent to me for the wounded will be taken to them as needed.

Our visits are scheduled about every two weeks.