Spurred by an article in the winter issue of the Capital City Firefighter (http://www.iaff36.org/ccff/Winter2009.pdf) page 21, members of The Heights Engine 30 and Truck 17 were inclined to lend a hand to the great project. Little did the members realize just what an eye opening experience it would be. Deep inside the heart of the Walter Reid Medical Hospital complex lies the Mologne House, one of the many housing units for rehabilitating wounded soldiers. Every other month a group of volunteers led by Cindy Dwyer and her husband (a Vietnam Veteran) stock the Mologne common area with racks of new and slightly used clothing. Suits, pants, belts, shoes, ties, dresses and more laid out for wounded soldiers to try on and keep. Many of the wounded soldiers and their loved ones are far from home, surviving paycheck to paycheck and have little more than military issue garb for their stay. All are thankful and gracious as they try on suits for upcoming interviews, sport coats for an approaching family wedding or swimwear for rehabilitation exercises. Members from The Heights along with other members of the DCFD assisted with carrying clothing, helping the soldiers try on items, and several members even exhibited a hidden talent for fashion design. As rewarding an experience as it was the job is far from over. Unfortunately, often with each day that passes a new wounded solider is in need, whether it be a new arrival or a past participant in need of a new size as their progress improves.

It is with this continued need that we ask for your help. Engine 30 and Truck 17, led by the guidance of Fire Investigator Tomi Rucker, will be setting up a donation drop off point at their quarters: #50 49th Street Northeast. Please bring by any new or slightly used clothing that you wish to donate. This includes suits, pants, shirts, jeans, dresses, belts, dress shoes, tennis shoes and swimwear. Contact Joe Brown at Truck 17 #1 Platoon (240-388-0602), Lt. Stephen Fennell (stephen.fennell@dc.gov) or Investigator Rucker (tomi.rucker@dc.gov) for any further questions. Thank you in advance for your help and support of our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces.