Volunteers from U.S. Africa Command are regularly making a positive difference in the lives of wounded service members recovering at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.



"On a monthly basis I organize a trip of volunteers from AFRICOM to provide home-made meals and company to Wounded Warriors who are 'out of danger' level of their recovery process," says U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1stClass Lee Kirschman.



Landstuhl is approximately 200 km from AFRICOM's headquarters on Kelley Barracks in southern Stuttgart; just over a two hour drive. Adjacent to the medical center is the Wounded Warrior Center where the volunteers do their work. The center provides a place for recovering heroes to relax and communicate with their family members.



According to Kirschman, "The [volunteer] program began back in 2009 when Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Lapierre was president of what was then called the 'Blue Jacket Association' but we are now called the 'First Class Petty Officers Association.'"



The association may be named after its enlisted Navy originators but it is far from exclusive.



"Our previous volunteers have included contractors, government employees, military, and family members such as Mrs. Polumbo and Dr. Bando," says Kirschman. Mrs. Polumbo is the spouse of the AFRICOM Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Major Gen. H.D. Polumbo, and Dr. Jun Bando is currently serving as the special advisor to the commander on United States policy.



Kirschman knows well the social benefits of volunteering. "I volunteer because it makes me feel good when I see fruit of my labor helping other people." She continues, "I have volunteered in my childrennâ? s schools, nursing homes, Civil Air Patrol, and now with the Wounded Warriors because I know volunteers make big differences in our community and our lives.



I get more out it than what I give basically by making life more meaningful and more interesting. Seeing Wounded Warriors enjoy our company and food is truly a rewarding and humble experience."



If one believes in Karma then it could be said that Kirshman and the other AFRICOM volunteers recently had a chance to reap a reward which varied greatly from the norm.



U.S. film star Tom Cruise, of Mission Impossible fame, dropped by the Wounded Warrior Center on December 11, 2011 to visit with recovering service members.



Cruise dropped by during a visit to the area where he expressed his appreciation to the service members for their sacrifices. AFRICOM volunteers were lucky to be there serving dinner when he paid his surprise visit.



"Getting to meet with Tom Cruise was a truly an accidental gift to my volunteers. But that is not why we keep going back there," according to Kirschman.



She and others plan on continuing their monthly efforts, "because we like serving the warriors and meeting them, enjoy volunteering together, and learn more about life and different people/situations." On a very personal note she proudly shared, "We show an example to other people such as my son, Sergeant David Kirschman, who now leads his own group from 66 MI Brigade in Wiesbaden after participating with the AFRICOM volunteers."



For information about the First Class Petty Officer's Association or to make donations of needed items such as movies, books, clothing items like socks, shirts, shoes or if you would like to volunteer to please contact PO1 Kirschman at DSN 314-421-2440, COM +49 (0) 711-729-2440 or by email at Myungja.kirschman@africom.mil.