Jordans Offer Christmas Wishes to Wounded Ohio Soldiers
May 7, 2009
Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) and his wife Polly today visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) to speak with staff and wounded soldiers.
The visit included meetings with two Ohioans wounded in Afghanistan: Army Specialist Mark Hodge of Fairfield (Butler County) and Army Private First Class Justin Kalenits of Geneva (Ashtabula County). The Jordans gave congressional Christmas ornaments to the soldiers.
"It was humbling for us to meet with Mark and Justin and to see their determination and drive," Jordan said. "We wanted to be among the many who deliver our personal Christmas wishes to these two brave American heroes."
Specialist Hodge was shot in the neck in July while conducting a supply mission, and is recovering from a related infection that turned into lymphomic cancer. Private First Class Kalenits was seriously wounded on November 9 just ten minutes into a firefight that lasted two and a half hours. Both men are members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
The visit was Congressman Jordan's second to Walter Reed this year. His first was in the wake of controversy about sanitary conditions at WRAMC's Building 18.
"The Pentagon stepped forward to fix the problems at Walter Reed earlier this year, and has vowed to remain vigilant," Jordan said. "Our men and women in uniform deserve the assurance of the best care possible for their brave sacrifices."
Note: Photos of the Jordans with Specialist Hodge and Private First Class Kalenits are available from Jordan's office; please contact Jared Dilley at jared.dilley@mail.house.gov.
The visit included meetings with two Ohioans wounded in Afghanistan: Army Specialist Mark Hodge of Fairfield (Butler County) and Army Private First Class Justin Kalenits of Geneva (Ashtabula County). The Jordans gave congressional Christmas ornaments to the soldiers.
"It was humbling for us to meet with Mark and Justin and to see their determination and drive," Jordan said. "We wanted to be among the many who deliver our personal Christmas wishes to these two brave American heroes."
Specialist Hodge was shot in the neck in July while conducting a supply mission, and is recovering from a related infection that turned into lymphomic cancer. Private First Class Kalenits was seriously wounded on November 9 just ten minutes into a firefight that lasted two and a half hours. Both men are members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
The visit was Congressman Jordan's second to Walter Reed this year. His first was in the wake of controversy about sanitary conditions at WRAMC's Building 18.
"The Pentagon stepped forward to fix the problems at Walter Reed earlier this year, and has vowed to remain vigilant," Jordan said. "Our men and women in uniform deserve the assurance of the best care possible for their brave sacrifices."
Note: Photos of the Jordans with Specialist Hodge and Private First Class Kalenits are available from Jordan's office; please contact Jared Dilley at jared.dilley@mail.house.gov.