DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WOMACK ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA 28310





Dietra Montalvo, MSW, LCSW
Womack Army Medical Center
Reilly Road
Fort Bragg, NC 28310

20 February 2008

Operation First Response
20037 Dove Hill Road
Culpeper, Virginia 22701

To the Staff of Operation First Response,

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Womack Army Medical Center I am writing on behalf of the other Social Workers and Soldiers assigned to the Warriors Transition Unit as well as their family members. We would like to recognize Operation First Response for their consistent and immediate attention to the needs of our wounded Soldiers and their family members

It is good to know that there is an organization available that we can access 24 hours a day for assistance for our wounded Soldiers and their families. The quality of service provided by representatives Carolyn Crossley and Peggy Baker is beyond description. They are both professional, friendly, courteous, caring, responsive and conduct business in a timely manner which makes our job providing psychotherapy to our Soldiers returning with physical impairments and mental health diagnosis easier.

In the past we have made attempts to access resources for Soldiers in dire need through other agencies and by far the service delivery provided by Operation First Response exceeds them all. Operation First Response makes the application process easy not placing the Soldier in a position of shame and/or embarrassment. Most of the other resource agencies require complicated application processes, letters from Command and make the Soldier or family member feel as if they are less than human. Through Operation First Response our Soldiers and their families members are always made to feel special, respected and supported for serving our country.

Operation First Response has provided advocacy for TSGLI claims, airline tickets for Soldiers who have been away from their families for more than a year while receiving medical services, food, toiletries, blankets and clothing for hospitalized Soldiers, household items and gift cards for those experiencing financial hardship, accommodations for family members visiting injured Soldiers who would otherwise not be eligible for assistance through the government and a kind voice to speak to when a Soldier feels. This is just a few things that Operation First Response has provided for our Nation’s Finest. Operation First Response has even sponsored a holiday party for our wounded Soldiers some who have been away from their family members for many months.
We appreciate Operation First Response because Fort Bragg with its awesome military force has often been overlooked by other resource agencies. Operation

First Aesponse took the time to contact our hospital staff to research the needs of our troops and their family members and for that we are grateful.
Thank you Operation First Responsefor reaching out to the Best of the Best!!!

Sincerely,

Dietra Montalvo, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker