USNA News Article

MAG Volunteers at Walter Reed

Feb 09, 2012

By MC2 Alexia Riveracorrea

Twelve midshipmen from the Naval Academy’s Midshipmen Action Group volunteered to provide food for more than 100 wounded veterans, family members and hospital staff at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Jan. 29.

This is an annual event for the midshipman volunteers, usually taking place on a Sunday in January when the hospital’s cafeterias are closed and the staff can most use the help.

The midshipmen set up a buffet of food including entrees, desserts and beverages purchased through the action group’s annual budget. In sharing dinner, they also got the opportunity to interact with these modern-day heroes.

“We wanted to provide them with a break from the monotony and a relief from the long hospital stays,” said Midshipman 1st Class Erin Gehlhausen, the project’s leader. “It was an opportunity for them to have some fun and socialize and for us to recognize and give them thanks for their sacrifices and everything they have done for our country.

“It was great to see how much this meant to the families,” said Gehlhausen. “They seemed to appreciate how much we care.”

Established in 1992 as a community relations program organized and maintained by the Brigade of Midshipmen, MAG currently offers a variety of educational, environmental and social service volunteer projects. Coordinated with community partners from the Annapolis Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, as well as regional and national partners, MAG averages over 20,000 hours of community service annually.

MAG provides reliable, diligent and enthusiastic volunteers willing to offer their time, talent and energy. MAG also hopes to better prepare midshipmen for future service by encouraging peer leadership, teamwork, character development, morale, selflessness and goodwill towards others.

For more information about the Midshipman Action Group, please visit the MAG web site.