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Wounded soldiers' wishes come true
By Abbie Tang
Journal staff writer

More than 400 wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington have had their wishes granted.

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union has been collecting monetary contributions by its employees over the past few months for soldiers wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and their visiting families.

Candy Montero, a membership development officer, surpassed all expectations when she donated hundreds of 120?minute phone cards, note pads, several DVDs, groceries and other necessities requested by the soldiers and their families.

"This particular task was not in [Montero's] job description," said Frank Pollack, credit union president and CEO. "She's giving back, not because she had to but because she thinks it's important to be involved [with the troops]. ... She believes that with her heart and soul."

Montero, of Alexandria, has a long history with the military. Her father was a master chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, and her husband was a major general in the Army. Both are retired from the military.

"I really enjoy doing things with the military," said Montero, 54. "I think they really deserve it."

The credit union, located in Old Town Alexandria, set the staff challenge just before Memorial Day after it initially had worked with the George Washington chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army to provide sweat suits for wounded military personnel being treated at Walter Reed.

The credit union later found that many of the patients recuperating at the hospital did not have personal items, clothes or shoes.

Families who came to Washington to be with their loved ones found places to stay on the hospital grounds. Food and other expenses, however, usually are not covered by the Fisher House Foundation, which provided the housing.

The credit union made an initial $2,500 contribution for commissary gift certificates for the wounded soldiers and their families. It then challenged employees to make donations for gift certificates, with the credit union matching each donation dollar-for?dollar.

"We're in the business to serve the Army, Navy and Coast Guard," Pollack said. "It's not unusual for our staff to do things outside their jobs."

The gift certificates allowed the soldiers to purchase their own personal items and families were able to pick their needed items and food items to cook at Walter Reed Fisher House.

Montero, an employee of seven years, took her contributions a step further. "I talked to Fisher House and wanted to know what the soldiers really needed," she said.

She viewed the soldiers' wish lists at Fisher House and did her best to adhere to their needs.

Montero said the donations are well worth the cost.

"It was great to see how upbeat and in good spirits the soldiers were after all they have been through," she said.

The credit union and its staff have donated more than $6,000 to the military personnel at the hospital.

To make a contribution, make a check out to The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation. Write "Military Heroes Support Drive" on the memo line and send to The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, 1001 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

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