Veterans service organization provides meal at Fort Campbell SRU

Photo By Maria Christina Yager | Fort Campbell American Legion Post 233 members Kimberly Schiffhauer and Tena Maxfield serve lunch at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit Sept. 8. Members from an Illinois-branch of a Veterans service organization worked through the night smoking chicken and pork in order to feed wounded, ill and injured Soldiers assigned to the SRU. U.S. Army photo by Maria Yager.  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

09.08.2021

Story by Maria Christina Yager 

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Days at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit are typically filled with medical appointments, adaptive reconditioning, transition assistance classes or temporary work assignments for the wounded, ill and injured Soldiers served at the unit. So, it was a special treat when a local and national organization joined together to offer a free barbeque lunch outside in the common area for SRU Soldiers to enjoy Sept. 8.

“It takes community to do this mission and this was a good opportunity to recognize those involved. We had our Soldiers and cadre and also other friends of the program who help us out with a variety of things. This allows us to enjoy a bit of camaraderie and fellowship,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Reagan, SRU commander.

The Fort Campbell unit is one of 14 Soldier Recovery Units Army-wide, which fall under the Army Recovery Care Program. The SRU mission provides complex medical case-management for wounded, ill or injured Soldiers requiring six months or more of medical treatment that precludes them from training or performing duties in their unit.

Each wounded, ill or injured Soldier at the SRU is supported by a "Triad of Care" team that coordinates a comprehensive recovery plan developed for each Soldier’s specific needs.

“The meal was good and it was nice to see some of the hospital staff I met during my time here,” said Sgt. Maj. Del Masters, who came to the SRU after sustaining injuries while deployed with the 38th Infantry Division, Indiana National Guard.

The lunch was made possible through a program to support wounded, ill and injured service members.

“There is an organization from one of our American Legion posts out of Illinois, the Warrior Barbequers, who have a grant from Operation Comfort Warrior and they spent all night out here cooking barbeque with members of the local American Legion post at Fort Campbell so we could feed our troops some good home cooking and give them a little break in their routine,” said James Baca, a Coast Guard veteran and executive director at the American Legion National Headquarters.

To learn more about Warrior Care programs in the Department of Defense visit https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil

• Date Taken: 09.08.2021
• Date Posted: 09.10.2021 13:19
• Story ID: 404901
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US