With The Wounded On Mind, Tylerite Heads To Germany
HEART: Retired Army Maj. Connie Dana holds cards made by Girl Scouts that she took along with a $2,400 check, to the Landstuhl Army Medical Center at Landstuhl Army Base in Germany on Tuesday. She will minister to wounded soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq through the Wounded Warriors Project. “As a Christian, I knew it was time to give of myself,” she said.
By PATRICK BUTLER
Religion Editor
Former Army Maj. Connie Dana has wounded warriors on her mind. So much so that the Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church member flew to Germany on Tuesday to take part in the Wounded Warriors Ministry to returning Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.
Religion Editor
Former Army Maj. Connie Dana has wounded warriors on her mind. So much so that the Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church member flew to Germany on Tuesday to take part in the Wounded Warriors Ministry to returning Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.
This is a mission that's bigger than she's used to, she said on Monday.
"I've been supporting all kinds of missionary projects over the years," she said, "but writing a check is the easy way. To give ourselves and being is another thing altogether."
The Wounded Warriors Ministry is run through the chaplain's office at the massive military hospital at the Landstuhl Army Base. Critically wounded soldiers are often airlifted to Landstuhl directly from battlefield medical stations, said Mrs. Dana. It is the largest American military hospital outside the continental United States,
The soldiers who somehow make it past the critical stages are the ones she wants to see.
"I just have a heart for the young soldiers," said Mrs. Dana, who was a line truck company commander in 1978. "They are putting out so much, and getting so little. Their families are not with them. I want to be there supporting them face to face and offer something that will lift them up so they don't lose hope. I know every mother and father who has a child would want to be where I'm going."
Mrs. Dana traveled from Pounds Field to Dallas and then on to Germany with a friend from her Army days. The pair will spend 21 days ministering to soldiers. She said her military ID will help give her access to the base and work with the soldiers.
"I know some are thinking 'where is God right now?' I think I could help them find those answers in Scripture and prayer, and listening to God. Chaplains can only be spread so far, the staff can only do so much."
Her church, local Girl Scout troops and American Legion post have given her support, she said.
"It's been awesome. I'm taking a check for $2,400 to use for soldiers, who have nothing. The military only gives them pajamas and many of these soldiers don't have clothes or a hairbrush or shoes."
She's also taking cards that she and the Girl Scouts made for the soldiers.
"I made 450 bookmarks, myself, just on Sunday," she laughed. "I have all these cards the kids made for the soldiers. It's been an awesome preparation time. Every moment has been preceded by prayer. All things have happened at the right time."
Her church "anointed her" with prayer during the Sunday service, she said.
"I'm going with Isaiah 40:31 in my heart," she said. "'Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not be faint.'"
There is an opportunity to help Wounded Warriors, she said.
"You can donate at Lane's Chapel UMC or directly through the Wounded Warriors Web site," she said. "Those soldiers can use all the help they can get."
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