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July 7, 2011: Written by Tom Lightner, Major General, USA, Retired:
The "grand opening" was really great today! The entire "chain of command" showed up-except Adm. Faison who was out of town but his secretary, Donna MacKensie was there! Cpt. LeFavour, Cdr. Shuller , and Bob Farias as well as the Army, Navy and Marine Detachment Commanders and their staffs (these are the ones who are "in command" of the Warriors undergoing treatment),were there. We had six troops, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed themselves and kept saying "boy this is a great set up". I spent most of my time "meeting and greeting" (politicking?) visitors who continued to drop in (Nan did the pen turning today) We made a lot of points with all the staff in C5! Several of them who have different elements of C5 other then Lynn Boulanger, Occupational Therapist, came by as well. LtJg. Neuens,, who is Lynn’s immediate boss was very enthusiastic and wants to help spread our work to other areas of C5.
Jennifer Towns, the commander of C5, did not make the ceremony but came down while training was going on. She was totally impressed! She, Lynn, Nan and I had a lengthy conversation on expanding the program and providing additional sessions where troops could come down on their own. Jennifer has agreed that starting in August, after our session Thursday morning, we will have "Open Turning Time" from 1300-1500 that day. So it is a trial run to see how it goes and hopefully we can build on that.
August 4, 2011: Another session with the patients. Was great in that we didn’t have to lug the lathes up an elevator, through the halls, into the courtyard.
September 1, 2011: Another wonderful session with 7 guys. It is great to see their faces when they complete a simple project, be it a pen or bottle stopper.
September 7, 2011: The Armed Forces YMCA had a Volunteer Recognition luncheon today at the Marriott in Mission Valley. We were there…and were duly recognized.
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