roes SLECOUNES Helping America’s Combat Wounded (NAPSA)—Americans across the country are helping to salute the bravery of wounded servicemen and servicewomen. Often, when a serviceman or servicewoman is wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, he or she is rushed into medical care and flown to the United States without any personal items. As a result, funds are needed to buy underwear, pajamas, slippers, shaving gear, tooth paste, laundry soap and other comfort items. The Military Order of the Purple Heart meets every air ambulance that arrives at Andrews Air Force Base. It gives the wounded a sheet of stamps so they can write home, as well as a phone card so they can call family. The group also provides comfort items so the soldiers can more easily return to normalcy and relax. To help raise funds for the efforts, GI-Bracelet.org was launched to sell GI Bracelets and donate the money to the Order. The bracelets are purple, the color of the Purple Heart medal, and sport the phrase “For Those Who Serve.” All donations designated for the Military Order of the Purple Heart will be delivered weekly and help pay for comfort items for the wounded. People can order the bracelets at www.gi-bracelet.org/purple heart or email at orders2005@gibracelet.org to donate. The Military Order of the Pur- Americans are wearing purple bracelets to show their support for the war wounded. ple Heart is the only veterans service organization chartered by Congress exclusively for combatwounded veterans. The mission of the Order is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat-wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives and, most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families. The Order covers all annual expenses with donations. The group says the purple bracelets will let people know that the troops are supported at home— and help remind Americansof the Order’s creed: “All gave some... Some gaveall.”
