A wounded soldier receives a patriot comfort kit from the American Red Cross.

Cindy Redmond, a Red Cross volunteer at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, tells of a young wounded patient arriving from Ramstein, Germany. The young man was very worried about making a phone call to his parents who did not know he had been shot.

Once he was settled, Cindy obtained a phone card and helped the young man dial home from his wheelchair. When the wounded soldier told his mother the news, she would not be calmed. The young man asked Cindy Redmond to reassure his mother, and handed her the phone. After a reassuring conversation, the mother asked Cindy to say with her son until he fell asleep.

Following the call, Cindy asked if there was anything else she could do to help. "There is one thing I really missed in Iraq," answered the wounded man, "root beer." In the back of the refrigerator, tipped on its side, Cindy found one root beer soda. She opened the can and watched the soldier take a long sip. "Thank you, ma'am," he said, "that is sooooo good."

Later the wounded soldier selected an afghan from the cart of quilts donated by crafters, commented that the afghan reminded him of his grandma, rolled it up, put it under his head and fell asleep in the chair. Cindy kept an eye on him until he was helped to his room for the night. Before Cindy went home she went into his room; the new arrival was sound asleep in his bed.

In 2007, Cindy's husband was in a convoy that came under attack in Iraq. Four of the troops with him were killed. Redmond fortunately came through unhurt. Friends say the incident has given Cindy even more resolve to work with injured troops.

You may not be able to bring him root beer and a blanket like Cindy, but for $50, you too can provide comfort for a wounded soldier. The journey from field to hospital for a wounded veteran can be lonely and frightening. You can make sure that a wounded patriot arriving at a military or VA hospital is welcomed with a Red Cross Comfort Kit. Each kit contains meaningful items such as a phone card, robe and shower shoes, toiletry items, calendar and an iTunes card. To purchase a Patriot Comfort Kit, visit the 2009 Holiday Giving Catalog.