Karen Grimord is a grandma in Stafford, VA. For eight years, she's gotten into the habit of doing something that is wrecking her finances. But while she can no longer support the habit, she has no plans to stop.
The habit: supporting injured troops. When soldiers arrive to Landstuhl Hospital in Germany, they usually have very few belongings. That was, until Karen began sending toiletries, clothing, and blankets abroad to help them out.
"It makes a tremendous difference for their morale," said Col. Luke Pittman. The hospital believes that just about every single care package comes from Karen.
After seeing a public service announcement, Karen sent her first box. That was eight years ago. Now she has trucks backing into her garage with supplies.
There are so few civilians with this level of devotion. Karen, like Kathy Strong, who wore her MIA-POW bracelet for 38 years, is really something else.
Karen now receives requests from over 150 combat hospitals, doctors and medics. Despite the costs, she refuses to decline any of the requests.
"We shouldn't say no," she says. "I am going to try, with every bone in my body — if it's on that wish list — I'm going to try to get it for them."
She has now sent more than 7,300 care packages and spends $40,000 a year on the postage alone. She is not wealthy. While she has some supporters, none of them come close to covering the cost.
So why does she do it? "You just have to remember their faces and who they are — and you pack another box," she says.
Please SHARE if you think Karen is truly a patriot.
