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Bordallo alias Mrs. Claus visits Walter Reed
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Posted on Dec 16 2008
[B]WASHINGTON, D.C.[/B]—Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, spread Christmas cheer to the families of wounded servicemembers by joining Santa Claus in presenting gifts to their children as “Mrs. Claus” at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of servicemen and women and their families gathered at the historic Old Red Cross Building on the grounds at Walter Reed to share a home-cooked meal and to exchange holiday greetings.
The holiday party was sponsored by the non-profit organization Operation Homefront and the U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Brigade.
The holiday party also featured surprise guest appearances from Hollywood actors Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider. The actors partnered with the United Service Organizations in spreading holiday wishes to servicemembers at Walter Reed.
“It was heartwarming to hear the kids tell Santa and I what presents they wanted to find underneath their Christmas tree this year,” Bordallo said today. “Our servicemembers have sacrificed in our nation’s defense, and it was humbling to share the holiday season with them and their families at Walter Reed.”
While at Walter Reed, Bordallo visited with a patient from Guam, U.S. Army Specialist Paul E. Lujan, Jr. and his wife Viktoria. Lujan is from Yigo and is the son of Paul Lujan Sr. and Maureen Lujan. Lujan had previously been deployed with the 73rd Engineer Company in Mosul, Iraq.
Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization providing emergency assistance for troops and their families. Moreover, the organization assists the families of servicemembers with everyday needs through its financial assistance program, by providing computers for family members to stay in contact with deployed servicemembers, by donating household and baby furniture, and through a variety of other initiatives.
More information on Operation Homefront can be found on their website at http://www.operationhomefront.net. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
