Cove JROTC cadets move old Fort Hood hospital equipment and families

By DONOVAN RITCHIE, JROTC CADET

Special to Leader-Press

Babies may arrive in this world tiny and small, but they require a lot of large equipment for their care.The Copperas Cove JROTC Bulldog Battalion learned that lesson when they gathered at the front of the old Darnall Army Community Hospital to help move the mothers and babies unit to the new hospital.

Cadets helped with setting up hospital beds, getting towels in the restrooms. Some cadets even made gifts for the new babies with clothing from Darnall. It was an all-day job that started at 7 a.m. and required as much manpower as was available.

Cadets that were given orders to stay in the old hospital gathered belongings of the new parents and then transported the precious cargo of mom and baby over to the new facility. The cadets also helped family members to their cars to store gifts and congratulatory items and then directed them to the new hospital. Cadets at the new hospital inspected the rooms to see if bed sheets needed to be put on the beds, placed baby wipes by the cribs, ensured paper towels were in the bathrooms and that gifts for the new babies including knitted caps and socks were in place. For Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Hunter Grove, it was more than just moving from one building to another.

“I felt like we helped out with helping new mothers and babies to a new environment and to a new beginning because the new hospital gives new perspective on the environment of the old hospital which is small and outdated,” he said.

JROTC Cadet Sergeant Kassandra Jenny enjoyed being able to provide the manpower in an environment that she could relate to as a young woman.

“I was glad to help make an impact and move mothers and babies to a new and improved hospital,” she said.