News

AFZC-CAV6 November 2010

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

TO: Gary H. Kadow, Executive Director, Project SOS - Support Our Soldiers, Inc.,
2412 Due West Drive,
The Villages, FL 32162-2605

SUBJECT: Request for Project SOS Support to the U.S. Army 1/32 Cavalry Squadron

This letter is to request your assistance in providing U.S. Army Task Force Bandit - Operation Enduring Freedom with urgently needed medical and surgical equipment.

We are located at FOB Bostick in the Kunar Provence of Afghanistan. The people of the city of Naray and the surrounding villages in this area have allied themselves with the NATO collation since early in the war, despite being less than two miles from Pakistan and living in one of the main Taliban strongholds in the country. In response, they had almost all medical supplies destroyed by the Taliban insurgents operating in this area. Additionally, heavy flooding in the region has added further misery to a group of people already dealing with malnutrition, malaria, intestinal parasites and a myriad of other diseases.

The local people living in this area have no access to medical treatment unless our unit can assist them in obtaining the needed medical equipment and supplies. As a physician at FOB Bostick, I am daily saddened by the harsh conditions these people must endure. Each day, the physicians in Naray refer us patients that they are unable to treat due to lack of simple resources such as vitamins and Tylenol, or basic medical supplies such as bandages, crutches or wheelchairs.

We would like to re-stock the clinics of Naray with basic medical supplies so that their physicians may deliver badly needed health care to the region's populace. It is my understanding that you can provide these urgently needed supplies as you have previously done in helping other Soldiers and units in Iraq.

I can assure you that this material will only be used for humanitarian aid to the local residents, and will not be used by our own military service members stationed here.. Any assistance offered the people of Naray will only strengthen our bonds and allow our Soldiers of the 1/32 CAV to work with increased safety and support.

In addition, any assistance you can provide in supplying us with powdered infant baby formula would also be appreciated. Many of the children here in the local villages are severally malnourished and will not survive the harsh climate without the proper nutrition and vitamin supplements. Our unit will be responsible for the pick-up and delivery of this material, and also the distribution of it to the local area residents. All material will be stored at FOB Bostick and kept under proper security. The need for these materials is urgent and your prompt consideration of this request is very much appreciated.

I may be contacted at Steven. E. Spencer@.US. Army. mil..
STEVEN E. SPENCER, MD LTC(P), MC, USA
1/32 CAV Squadron Surgeon