INDIANAPOLIS (July 26, 2007) – The national commander of The American Legion has authorized the immediate purchase of $25,000 of telephone calling cards to be given to U.S. troops recovering at Landstuhl (Lond Stool) Regional Medical Center in Germany.

The cards are the result of Operation Landstuhl, an initiative by National Commander Paul A. Morin that was prompted by his recent visit to the center.

“The staff at Landstuhl do an outstanding job but the patients don’t have all of the personal comfort items that they need,” Morin said. “Many of the troops could use some civilian clothes, others might want DVDs, CDs or magazines. We owe it to them. These phone cards are just the start.”

The hospital is a stopping point on the journey home for many wounded servicemembers, who are injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. During peak fighting periods, the hospital often accepts more than 900 new patients per month.

Morin, American Legion Auxiliary President JoAnn Cronin and Sons of The American Legion Commander Earl Ruttkofsky have set a goal for The American Legion family to raise $50,000 for comfort items to be purchased and sent to the troops.
“Operation Landstuhl is only one month old and we are already on our way to achieving our goal,” Morin said. “The generosity of The American Legion has been overwhelming. I am confident that we will meet our goal by the close of our 89th National Convention on August 30.”

Departments of The American Legion will be able to present checks on the floor of The American Legion Convention in Reno. There will also be a donation booth for individuals to contribute in the Exhibit Hall of the National Convention. Credit card donations are also accepted online at http://www.legion.org and checks can be mailed to Operation Landstuhl, c/o The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055.

Contact: John Raughter or Joe March (317) 630-1253.