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Soldiers Meet Hockey Stars Thanks to Operation Atlas
Written by
Lesly Hallman
, Staff Writer and Photographer, RedCross.org
Friday, April 02, 2004 — Soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. got the chance of a lifetime to meet the stars of the Washington Capitals after a hockey game on March 30.
The soldiers received this extraordinary opportunity thanks to Operation Atlas, a new program of the American Red Cross. Operation Atlas is a community outreach program that gives outpatients at Walter Reed the chance to explore and enjoy the sites and activities available in the nation’s capital while they heal from the wounds of war.
More than 1,200 soldiers and their family members have participated in events throughout the metropolitan area since the program began in October 2003.
Capitals Defensive Player Jason Doig autographs hats and posters for soldiers recovering at Walter Reed hospital in Washington D.C. |
“We call it Operation Atlas because no matter where the troops have served around the world, when they are here in our community, we can help brighten their stay,” said Marlene Lee, a Red Cross volunteer who developed much of the program. Lee works with the National Capital Area Chapter in Washington, D.C.
The soldiers are incredibly grateful. “It’s just unbelievable what [Marlene] is doing,” said
Army Specialist Tom Siedschlag of Wisconsin, who was injured by an explosive in Iraq. “It is really needed, and it’s so appreciated. And we have had a lot of fun at these games!”
Caps Games a Huge Hit
More than 400 soldiers and family members have seen the Capitals in action on the ice since the program began last fall. “It’s been the biggest hit of the program by far,” said Lee. Computer Systems Center, Inc. (CSCI), of Springfield, Va. generously donated their block of season tickets to the National Capital Area Chapter for use by the military.
At the March 30 game each soldier was surprised with a “meet and greet” after the game with Capitals players Darcy Verot, Jason Doig, Jeff Halpern, Dainius Zubrus, and Olaf “Olie the Goalie” Kolzig.
“This is just awesome!” said soldier George Boyette of Ohio. “Too bad it took me getting messed up to get here, but I am having a great time!”
At the MCI Center and all over town, the Operation Atlas group gets VIP treatment. At a recent tour of the Smithsonian museums, staff historians personally guided the group. The day after the Capitals game, the group got a VIP tour of CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. During the holidays, nine award winning chefs came to the outpatient hotel at Walter Reed to make dinner for 220 soldiers.
Capitals star goalie Olaf Kolzig poses with excited fans from Operation Atlas after a Washington Capitals game. |
“They are so appreciative of anything that is done for them,” Lee said. “And working with this program has been an absolute privilege for me. This program takes so much time, but it is a great way to channel my nervous energy,” she said. Lee also has a personal stake in helping members of the military. Her son Greg is a First Lieutenant with the First Armored Division serving now in Iraq and he is expected to return home sometime in May after a year of service.
Lee got the idea for Operation Atlas after volunteering with the soldiers returning to the U.S. on air evacuation flights.
“I just saw that there was a need for something like this, so I put a proposal together,” she said. Lee has created detailed guides for volunteers with the program and for other Red Cross chapters that are interested in working with military hospitals in their area.
Operation Atlas hosts about two or three events a month, all with the help of generous donors. “The goal is to get them out to see Washington, D.C. Most haven’t been here before, except maybe on an 8th grade class trip,” Lee said, and she is working to expand the kinds of events the group attends even further. "If I had a nickel for everyone who's asked if we can go to a Baltimore Orioles game, I would be rich!"
“We have to make sure the places we visit are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant,” said Lee, who also works with sponsors to ensure their motivation for supporting the program meets Red Cross and military values.
Lee calls Operation Atlas a “win-win-win” situation, because the soldiers, the businesses that support them and the Red Cross all get such incredible benefits from participating.
“It has helped me not worry about my medical problems, said Staff Sergeant Cecil Brewer of North Carolina, recovering from surgery at Walter Reed. Since the program includes family members, Brewer’s wife and stepdaughter were able to join him at a recent Capitals game. “It’s a way to just get involved and do something fun.”
Groups and individuals interested in contacting Operation Atlas should write to OperationAtlas@Earthlink.net.
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