1. Home
  2. Quilting Forum
  3. OT - Anyone in Germany?

OT - Anyone in Germany?

The weirdest awful thing has happened to one of my crocheting friends. Denise (my friend) has a sister Dawn, who was (is) in Germany with her US military husband. They had been speaking via phone a couple times a month, and then suddenly Denise quit hearing from her sister. Naturally, after 6 weeks, she became concerned. What she found out, just yesterday, was that Dawn & DH were in a horrible car accident on July 5, that her sister has been in a coma up until about a week ago and the DH was killed. The sister is at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and will probably be sent back to the states any day, to make room for the incoming wounded from Iraq. But what happened to the American Red Cross, or somebody, to tell my friend about her sister & BIL?! I just cannot imagine waking up from a coma, in a place where I don't speak the native language, and know practically no one, and then being told my DH was killed. My heart hurts for Dawn, just thinking about it.

Thanks for listening.

Reply to
TerriLee in WA
Loading thread data ...

You are being put through the emotional mill a bit this week, my dear! Prayers on the way for Dawn, and a few more for you, to help you keep your chin above the emotional waters.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

TerriLee: Oh this is so very sad. Be assured that she is NOT in a place with language difficulty. Landstuhl Army Medical Center is operated and staffed by the US Army. The staff speaks English. The Army Hospital Social Services staff and the US Chaplain is on hand to console and help this woman. The Family Readiness Group is available to visit her and to help her as friends and neighbors always do. The unit commander and his/her staff can help with the family's logistical needs, such as transporting the household goods, clearing the housing, etc.

The Red Cross probably did not notify the sister Denise because Dawn's DH probably did not have her on his 'next of kin' list. They would have no idea who or where Dawn's sister is, unless Dawn and her DH had left that information with someone or recorded it in official Army files.

This is a wake up call for all of us, no matter where we live!! Would my neighbors know who to call if some thing like that happened to us?? NO!! They have DS2 name and number, but if the whole family were in a terrible incident together, then no one would be able to contact my sisters. Scary thought and something I need to address. But back to your friend.

Dawn's kin can and should call the local ARC for assistance in communication. Maybe they can assist her in emergency transportation to Landstuhl to help her sister. Landstuhl BTW is next to Kaiserslautern, in SW Germany. It is an EXCELLENT facility, with many experienced trauma specialists and other specialists. (This is one of the reasons why it is always used in evacuations in Europe!) I've only had out patient check ups there, but have had several friends who were patients there for serious illness. Sending warm hugs and prayers for your friend's family.

PAT >

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

Reply to
Butterfly

OMG, that's just horrible!! I'm praying for your friend and her sister.

Reply to
Jalynne

Reply to
TerriLee in WA

Oh no. I will certainly be praying for Denise and Dawn. I can't believe the military didn't notify the family!

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Queen of Squishies

Karen: See my first reply to OP; you might be jumping to conclusions! The military unit can only notify the persons on the notification list provided by the service member. If the soldier did not include his and/or her family then they would have no way of knowing who or where the family is. Maybe the unit notified the DH's parents and they did not notify the wife's family.

Passports (of USA) have emergency notice information. When I lived in Europe, I ALWAYS put my own mother or sister on it. I figured I was traveling with DH and he would know about any problem and might even be in need of help too. Now I am home in the USA again and my passport needs renewal anyhow. I have some good friends here and I will provide each of them with a list of our sisters and their phone numbers and addresses. Just in case.

PAT

Queen of Squishies wrote:

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

Yeah, Army has provisions for that too. DH used to put his mom and sister on the list, after me. Not enough room to add all my sibs though ... the forms are too short for my big gang. 8-)

Your car travel plan for emergency notification is good. When I fly I do something similar and carry the info in my purse. Put some in check on luggage too. Hadn't thought of doing that for car travel too. (DUH!) Thanks for the idea.

PAT >

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

Yes, I read that after I posted. Thanks, Pat! Hard to imagine the possibility of even DH's family not even notifying the sister.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Queen of Squishies

What happened to the deceased DH?....Did they ship his body back to the US? to family here? Seems like they would have notified someone???...hmmmm.....Mary

Reply to
MB

Reply to
TerriLee in WA

You know, I'm not exactly sure. And that's really not the kind of question I want to ask my friend right this minute. (no offense, I don't mind you asking me, I just don't know).

Anyway, I did learn that the DH and Dawn were not on the best of terms with DH's parents, due to religious differences. Sheesh! Some people just cannot prioritize what's important, I guess. My mom & I had religious differences, too, but that didn't keep us from being good friends and quilting/sewing buddies!! (there, back on topic - grin)

FWIW, I'm not emoti>

Reply to
TerriLee in WA

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.