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Marines, sailors visit patients at Guam Memorial Hospital
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Posted on May 22 2012
[B]ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam[/B]—A convoy of vehicles traveled through the streets of Guam as Marines and sailors who are currently part of Exercise Geiger Fury 2012 visited long-term care patients at Guam Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit in Barrigada Heights Friday.
The Skilled Nursing Unit health care providers spend the majority of time caring for patients currently undergoing rehabilitation to be able to eventually leave the facility. The volunteers were happy to spend time with those patients who may not get to see friends or family often.
After being given a brief tour of the hospital, volunteers were taken to the lunch room where they were supplied with balloons and arts and craft supplies.
Patients were brought in by the nurses and were swiftly carried into conversation by the eager volunteers. Patients and volunteers smiled throughout the room as every person could be seen occupied with some form of entertainment.
Some volunteers sat with the patients and drew in coloring books, passed around balloons and shared photos on their cell phones. Others sat down and took photos with the patients or just talked with individual patients.
While the majority of the patients are from Guam, one particular individual kept Marines and sailors around him at all times during the visit with his stories of days past.
“I love being a part of these visits,” said Wolfgang M. Schwartzenweintraub, a U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy veteran. “I just want you all to appreciate what you get to do.”
Along with tales of his past experiences and life challenges, Schwartzenweintraub spoke of future plans with his wife, sometimes serious and sometimes joking. “I’ve experienced a lot of things in my life, I’m happy for it and I’m willing to share it with anyone.”
After visiting hours were over, patients were taken back to their daily lives and the volunteers went upstairs to attend an award ceremony, honoring Nurses Day and Hospital Week.
Volunteers also received honorable mention during the ceremony for their kindness and selflessness in spending time with a group of people they have never met before, but would now be an everlasting memory.
“I just wanted to salute and give thanks to all the people who come here to SNU and give us the support they do,” said Sally K. Quichocho, SNU registered nurse. [B][I](Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer)[/I][/B]
