There were a couple of LTs that came up with a great idea to develop unity between the patients on Ward 57 (amputee and ortho rehab floor) at Walter Reed. They saw that the patients who were severely injured, spent many months lost some of their unit identity. They developed a shirt that said Walter Reed Football on the front and Ward 57 on the back like a football jersey. They fund raised by selling shirts to the staff and also was given enough money for 100 shirts by an American Legion.

The shirt became a hit, not only with soldiers but with families also. They even had a soldier's home (retirment home for vets) want to buy them. A not-for-profit organization found out about it and liked the idea so much of helping soldiers and families who were on Ward 57 they developed Operation Ward 57 under Think Big Foundation (Former Redskin, Kerry Carter, Founded Think Big Foundation).

Operation Ward 57 now uses the shirt as their primary means of fundraising and advertising. They have raised over $30,000 in just over a year and have used the money to give away shirts to the soldiers, redo the Ward 57 family room to include a kid's corner and game consoles. They have also used the money to develop a DVD and vido game collection available to the patients.

Please click the banner below to visit if you would like to donate or get a shirt.