Credit union donates entertainment system to Bamberg wounded warriors

By Douglas DeMaio, USAG Bamberg Public AffairsOctober 31, 2008

BAMBERG, Germany -- The Service Credit Union here donated two Nintendo Wiis and a flat screen TV to wounded Soldiers stationed on U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg.

The donations, made Oct. 27, were part of a collective effort by the Service Credit Union branches throughout Germany to provide some recreational activity to wounded warriors recovering from injuries at a Warrior Transition Unit, which is an administrative and Family-support-service center for wounded warriors recovering from an injury.

According to a press release from the Service Credit Union, it donated 11 Nintendo Wiis and four flat-screen TVs to selected WTUs near its overseas locations.

"We always like to be involved with the community," said Modesto U. Polintan III, Bamberg's Service Credit Union manager. "We have a long tradition of providing support when it's needed."

Wounded Soldiers, some of who may be transitioning out of the Army because of the injuries they've suffered, live in the WTU barracks while going to medical or administrative appointments, said Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Holt, a WTU platoon sergeant.

In certain circumstances, a Family member may live in the WTU barracks with a Soldier while he recovers from his injuries, Holt said. The common area in the barracks is not large enough to fit a pool table or ping-pong table, so the Wiis provide a wealth of games and activities for Soldiers and their Families to enjoy.

"I've heard a lot of good things about these," Polintan said about the Wiis.

Some of the games can provide health benefits and rehabilitation activities as well, Polintan said.

"It gives them something to do while they're healing," he said.

Holt was enthusiastic about the donation.

"We've been really motivated about getting this day room (equipped) since day one," Holt said, who is new to WTU. "This was something in the works since before I arrived here."

The entertainment system increased the morale of the wounded warriors, Holt said.

Polintan said his organization was "happy to be able to do this".

After speaking with leaders in the local community, Polintan asked his organization's director if they would like to get involved with providing some needed support to wounded service members, he said. His bosses agreed it would be a good idea.

That support to Bamberg's WTU kicks off a Department of Defense directed Warrior Care Month.

On Sept. 16, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates signed a memorandum announcing November as Warrior Care Month, an initiative intended to inform Soldiers and their Families about programs, services and resources available to injured service members.

There are 35 Warrior Transition Units throughout the world, according to the last report by the U.S. Army Medical Department Office of the Surgeon General.