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Operation Military Embrace, Inc. "Sharing the Cost of Freedom" We are a group of dedicated Texans who have formed a recognized 501(c)(3) Texas tax-exempt/non-profit public charity, (Federal EIN 56-2656711), Operation Military Embrace, Inc., (OME) to assist our injured military, their families, and those military personnel accused of battlefield crimes in their time of need OME was formed by a husband/wife team, Jerry & Debbie Reed, President & Secretary/Treasurer, respectively, and a close personal friend who is a Gold Star sister, Brenda J. Kaiser, Vice-President. The President is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War having served with the 1st Marine Air Wing from 10/’67 - 11/’68 in support of the 1st Marine Division, while the Vice-President is the younger sister of Cpl. George Allen Alford, Jr., a Marine hero who was killed in action 31 July 1968 while serving with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. The President and Secretary/Treasurer have two sons, both of whom are currently serving on active duty. This group of corporate officers has a close connection to our servicemen and women and their families as the officers have each experienced the effects and the never-ending pains of war. Our team, comprised of Brenda, Jerry and Debbie, began a crusade in December, 2005, to make sure that our seriously injured Marines, Corpsmen, Sailors and Soldiers were not forgotten. That crusade began with a post-Christmas visit to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, in late December, 2005. We were alerted to this need by the sister of a young Marine who had been a patient at Brooke following the loss of both of his legs in an attack in Iraq. The sister of the wounded Marine stated that there were many injured outpatients who had to stay at BAMC for physical therapy during the week, but they were bored and forgotten. Our team then contacted others who have a love for our selfless men and women in uniform and we all caravanned to Brooke Army Medical Center with very simple gifts: gift bags full of home-made cookies and goodies including a favorite of our service personnel, specially made Texas beef jerky, along with music CDs, Digital Video Discs of some great movies, magazines and other items that our wounded would appreciate. We, the Officers of Operation Military Embrace, Inc., have visited our wounded at Brooke Army Medical Center 36 times from 12/05 - 12/31/09. Besides visiting the in-patients, we bring needed donated items to the Fisher Houses and the Warrior and Family Support Center during each visit because they rely 100% on donations, and we set-up and serve breakfast to the injured out-patient Marines and Soldiers on Monday morning during roll call in the Med-Hold Barracks Room . During that breakfast we also give them goodie bags with quality beef jerky, snacks, etc. and set up a free PX ("military store") to provide our wounded heroes with many items that they need (as listed on our "Request List" that can be found on our website under the tab "How You Can Help/Other Ways") along with holding a drawing for gift cards, backpacks, etc. Additionally, NCO swords and other motivational items have been purchased and presented to many of the seriously wounded at BAMC to show appreciation for their sacrifices and to encourage them with their difficult recoveries.
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