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3 Sep, 9 tweets, 6 min read
Had an incredible day yesterday at the International Institute of St. Louis in our first mission with military volunteers from the region. On Weds morning they asked me if I could find 20 volunteers to help move some of the flood of donations from their site to their warehouse.
I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I only started volunteering with them this week and hadn't really done any outreach to the organizations in St. Louis yet. But, I had an ace in the hole. I had waved down an Air Force Captain at @IISTL on Tuesday as he dropped off donations. Cars lined up to donate at IISTL
I intro'd myself and asked if he could help me at @ScottAFB with some connections. Well, Evan wasn't playing. The next morning I had an email with a host of POC's he'd already spoken to and wanted to help. I wrote 2 of them asking for 10 volunteers for the next day.
Friends...things went a little crazy. I was flooded with volunteers from across the Air Force and their families. @IISTL asked for 20...Thursday we had over 55 show up. We dove into it and emptied out half of the gym in about 2 hours and they wouldn't quit.
They drove trucks, organized the donations, took over the warehouse, directed traffic...on and on. It was incredible and I have a list of probably a hundred more who couldn't make it and want to help. There is plenty of work coming as our Afghan allies arrive.
If you're a veterans or military group in St. Louis, Illinois or Missouri hit me up on DM's and I will help you find ways you can help in your area...or frankly anyone in the country...I want to help you help our Afghan partners where you live. We are overwhelmed with donations.
I can tell you they really need money now. There is an actual cash need to support SIV's, refugees and especially parolees from Afghanistan as the varying support systems offer very little cash up front to help them settle and cover them until they can get work.
I'm begging you to please check with your local organization before running a donation drive. They have a lot now but need specific items. New items as much as possible. You can help us at @iistl with their official GoFundMe that is running now. gofundme.com/f/help-those-w…
If I can help anyone please reach out. I'm learning and am happy to learn more and share. Your local community needs you. You don't need to be a veteran or have any special skills, just a heart to give back to those who helped us. We must #WelcomeThemHere! #Afghanistan #StLouis

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Fred Wellman Profile picture
31 Aug
I didn't serve in Afghanistan. My connection starts with 9/11 and voluntarily getting mobilized by my Reserve unit that first night for "just 2 weeks" that led to another 9 years of service and 3 Iraq tours. I lost interpreters, local partners, and friends in that time.
My own mental health collapsed years after I took off the uniform. I saw death, loss, joy, triumph and pain but it led to so much. I've made a post-service life of continued service. I've been able to help fellow veterans and work to save our democracy.
My feelings today are decidedly mixed. I believe it was time to end this 20 year war. I am frustrated with the chaotic departure. I am sad knowing so many will suffer under the Taliban and we could have done more for our interpreters and partners for the last decade.
Read 12 tweets
Fred Wellman Profile picture
25 Aug
Hey! If you are working with a local refugee assistance organization in your area let me know so I can get the word out so others can join the effort! I'm happy to spread the word about the needs or our allies as they settle in the U.S.! #AfghanRefugees #Afghan
I'll start. I am learning more now about the International Institute of St. Louis. @iistl is responsible for an over 100 mile radius around STL and is helping dozens of refugees as they arrive. Here is an OpEd from the Post-Dispatch stltoday.com/opinion/editor…
The International Rescue Committee @RESCUEorg is working hard across the country through local chapters and needs volunteers to help Afghan refugees to settle and find homes here. Check out their national page here and find a local chapter near you: help.rescue.org/donate/afghani…
Read 13 tweets
Fred Wellman Profile picture
3 Aug
Fox and their propagandists spent the week mocking Capitol and Metro police for seeking counseling and showing raw emotions over the mental wounds they sustained in vicious hand-to-hand combat with 1/6 terrorists. Chinless losers and vetbro’s thought their suffering was funny.
This is the right today. “Alpha males” and toxic bullshit that thinks it’s funny when people suffer. We have a suicide epidemic in our military, first responder and veteran communities that’s directly tied to these kind of shit attitudes. I’ve lost so many people at war and home.
I can smell rotting flesh hundreds of yards away and see the burned bodies of our enemies like it was yesterday. I got help and made a new life in my 50’s because of nearly 4 yrs of hard work. We must attack these toxic fools. Good men and women shouldn’t die at their own hands.
Read 5 tweets
Fred Wellman Profile picture
29 Jul
Tough but accurate. Someone was shocked at an event recently when I said I’m ready for us to leave Afghanistan. They thought I’d support my old bosses in their dismay. Of course, I’m very worried about the Afghan people but 20 years is a generation. (1)
Did you ever see ‘European Vacation’ when they get stuck in the traffic circle in London? Chevy Chase is every general whose DNA is written with code to never ‘fail’ the mission. They will always keep fighting. “Look kids, victory!” Around and around, again and again. (2)
It’s why I’ve always said I want true civilian oversight of our wars. Everyone outsourced the “Forever War” to the military. We are purpose built to never fail the mission. It’s hammered into every soldier from day one. “There is no substitute for victory.” -Douglas MacArthur (3)
Read 5 tweets
Fred Wellman Profile picture
30 Jun
Because of my work as a PAO I actually met then SecDef Rumsfeld a number of times in CONUS and Iraq. First time was the day of this photo. He came to Ft. Campbell where I was the freshly trained division PAO and was hosting a press conference for him at our museum on post.
We got the media gathered in the museum early in the day and amongst them was an 8th grader from our on post middle school that had their own "TV station". She had a question for the SecDef. Her teacher asked me if I could pull off calling on her amongst a full house of media.
When Rummy arrives he's swept into an office and I proceed to brief him on the media and what I expect them to be interested in. I asked about our 8th grader and said "she wants to ask you...." and before I finish he cuts me off and says "don't tell me. I want to be surprised."
Read 6 tweets
Fred Wellman Profile picture
5 May
Big shout out to @HamillHimself this #MayTheFourth for taking an email request from a random political hack to craft an ad focusing on ensuring that every military ballot was counted on election day. Funny story too. It was a long shot email and I wasn't ready for 'yes'.
I wrote the script and shipped it off to Mark. While out for lunch with my son I got a call from CA. It was the lovely @MarilouHamill to tell me that Mark had a few questions on the shoot and wanted to chat with me. So, I'm in a distillery doubled over in shock as he says hello.
I'd love to tell you how cool and collected I was..but family...I was not. I was jumping up and down and trying to string together coherent thoughts. I pulled it off...kinda. The next day I got video files of words I wrote being eloquently spoken by one of my favorite Americans.
Read 6 tweets

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