Paula Zwellinger/Lcpl Robert Mininger

Paula exemplifies the true spirit of giving, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. When her son first left for boot camp she started a support group Semper Fi Parents, so that other mothers like her could better understand life in the military. She has provided an opportunity for local parents to gather, share information and support each other while engaging in community projects to support the military both deployed and stateside. Their membership continues to grow and has expanded across the Hudson Valley, including parents of those serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force and covers all aspects of the military service.

Paula and her family continue to serve this great nation. After Bob’s death Paula’s younger son, Greg enlisted in the USMC. Thanks to this family for their tremendous service and sacrifice.

Hope for the Warriors™ is pleased to grant this wish to Paula. She and her husband flew to to a Combat Support Hospital in Landstuhl Germany providing holiday cheer to wounded warriors there and to thank the Combat Casualty Support Team in gratitude for care provided to her son. A letter from Paula about her trip is below.

We would like to thank the Marine Corps liasons for escorting the Zwellingers while at Landstuhl.

To be perfectly honest, I had many doubts and concerns about this trip in the weeks leading up to the departure date. I was concerned about the lengthy plane ride, to and from, in the "comfortable" coach seats. I was concerned about driving a strange automobile from the airport to the hospital (more than an hour) on strange roads where most vehicles are known to travel at speeds close to or above 100 mph. In my family, I am not known for my speed on the road. I was concerned about the quality of the hotel in Landstuhl; the weather; the food; the language barrier; and numerous other worries that seem ridiculous to even think about at this point. Needless to say, there was not one concern or doubt that was determined to be legitimate. This trip could not have been planned and carried out any better nor could it have been more satisfying and successful.

The people of our country read and hear about the trials and tribulations of the soldiers deployed to the Middle East. Those brave defenders of our freedom deserve every accolade and word of praise. Little if anything is ever said, printed or broadcast about the dedicated Physicians, Nurses, Administrators and Support Staff working at Landstuhl Hospital; or the talented and well trained personnel assigned to Ramstein Air Force Base only minutes from the Hospital. They too live thousands of miles from their families and friends and they too spend each holiday in a mess hall or base restaurant or alone in their barracks. They too are heroes and they should be recognized as such.

My best memories from the trip are spending time with the brave soldiers confined to the hospital and spending time with the staff members; witnessing the landing of a C-17 medical transport jet and watching our wounded soldiers be carried off on the way to the hospital; touring the C-17 and actually sitting in the pilot's seat in the cockpit while trying desperately not to touch anything that would cause them to shoot me; spending Christmas Night with 25 Marines and family members at a dinner that personified teamwork and family; and watching my wife during the entire trip and seeing how her dream had been fulfilled and how a small piece of her heart, so viciously torn apart 2 1/2 years ago, had been healed for just a few days. Of course the best part of the trip was that moment of euphoria when your airplane's wheels touch down on American land and you remember that no matter where you travel, this is the best place on earth to be. We thank all of our brave members of the US Military serving around the world for that sentiment and we thank all our new friends in Landstuhl, Germany for showing us the same love and friendship reserved for family members.