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www.militarymedical.com Military Medical News • December 2011 • Page 3
H Christmas
Continued from page 1
For I realized the families
hat I saw that night
Owed their lives to these
en who were willing to
ight.
Soon ‘round the world, the
hildren would play,
And grownups would celbrate
on a bright Christmas
ay.
They all enjoyed freedom
ach month of the year,
Because of soldiers like
his one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how
any lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve
n a land far from home.
Just the very thought
rought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and
tarted to cry.
The soldier awakened and
heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this life
s my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don’t
sk for more,
my life is my God, my counry,
my Corps.”
With that he rolled over
nd drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I con-
tinued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so
silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from
the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the
one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier
from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of
gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army
patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit
me, I began to swell with
pride,
And for a shining moment,
I was United States Army
deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him
on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so
willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled
over, whispered with a voice
so clean and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s
Christmas Day, all is
secure.”
One look at my watch, and
I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night!
(U.S. Army photo by Kenneth Blair Hogue)
Wounded Warrior SSG Keith Dunn and his Wife Kandi Dunn speak to the USAMITC audience
about the Fisher House at a recent Commander’s Call.
Wounded Warrior and wife speak
to USAMITC about the Fisher House
By Kenneth Blair Hogue,
USAMITC Public Affairs
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS – A
Wounded Warrior and his wife spoke about the
Fisher House at a recent U.S. Army Medical
Information Technology Center Commander’s
Call. This event took place at the Blesse
Auditorium on Fort Sam Houston. On behalf
of the Fisher House at Brooke Army Medical
Center (BAMC), and in an effort to help kick off
the Combined Federal Campaign, Army Staff
Sgt. Keith Dunn and his wife Kandi Dunn both
gave heartfelt presentations on the Fisher House
and on all it has to offer.
Edward Barge, USAMITC CFC Project
Officer, introduced Fisher House Manager Inge
Godfrey, who spoke about the Fisher House, its
history and the magnitude of support rendered
to thousands of Military and their families. Inge
Godfrey introduced the Dunns as current residents
of the BAMC Fisher House.
Staff Sgt. Dunn and his wife spoke to
USAMITC next. Staff Sgt. Dunn began, with
his hand over his heart, by welcoming home
Vietnam Veterans. “You paved the way for
us,” Dunn said. “And I give you a warm welcome
back because you didn’t receive one after
Vietnam.” Dunn, with his hand still over his
heart, also thanked everyone for being there that
day to listen to what he and his wife had to say.
Recovering from an infection from a gunshot
wound and also being treated for cancer, Dunn
credited going to Iraq for saving his life. “Had I
not been treated for the infection in Iraq, I never
would have been diagnosed with cancer,” he
said.
Dunn doesn’t normally speak at events like
this, even though he and his wife are invited to
attend CFC functions on behalf of the Fisher
House on a regular basis. Normally, she is the
only one to speak. This time, however, he asked
specifically to speak at this one. He also went
into some detail about how grateful he was to
the Fisher House staff for everything they’ve
done for him and his wife. “The Fisher House
Foundation gave us a place to live so my wife
can be here with me while I recover,” he added.
After, again, thanking the Fisher House and
everybody in attendance for being there, the
USAMITC crowd gave Staff Sgt. Dunn a rousing
standing ovation.
His wife, Kandi Dunn, spoke next. She spoke
first about how proud she was of her husband.
“He joined the Army in 1973 trying to go to
Vietnam, and ended up going to Korea instead,”
she said. “Since then, he volunteered for every
war we’ve had.”
Then she spoke about the Fisher House. “I
had never heard of the Fisher House before, and
walked into it for the first time on January 18th
of this year [2011],” she began. “I was so grateful
to have a place to lay my head down and not
worry while I was helping him to recover,” she
added, referring to her husband. “The Fisher
House saved us over $18,000 this year, so far,
if we had to live in hotels; and we would’ve lost
our house.” She spoke about how they expected
to be in the Fisher House for only or only two
or three weeks, but have had a very pleasant
stay regardless. “Volunteers come to prepare
meals for us nearly every day,” she said. “The
Fisher House is like a bread and breakfast for
the Military; a place to sleep, relax, eat, socialize
and become a family.” She also spoke about
the support available at the Fisher House. “One
of the biggest things I see is how Wounded
Warriors help other Wounded Warriors through
the healing process,” she said. “The Fisher
House is definitely a healing place; a place to
heal and recover with support,” she added. “It’s
families helping families,” she concluded.
At the end of their presentation, Lt. Col.
Beverly Beavers, USAMITC Commander,
handed Godfrey, Staff Sgt. Dunn and Kandi
Dunn command coins, the first one that Kandi
Dunn had ever received. Beavers also gave
Godfrey and Kandi Dunn command certificates
of appreciation.