It is not often that you meet someone like Wesley Bauguess. Her softspoken manner of speech and alwayspresent smile puts you at ease the moment you meet her. But at the same time there is a toughness about her that, despite her gentle ways, shines through her. You can’t miss it. She has resolve. She has the resolve to provide support to the wounded warriors of the 82 Airborne Division. She has the resolve to raise her two young girls as a widowed mother. She has the resolve to give others hope and encouragement through the memory of her late husband Larry. 

In 2007, shortly following the death of her husband, Bauguess was asked to start the 82nd Wounded Warrior Committee (82WWC). She jumped at the chance and has been the committee head ever since. The 82WWC is an outreach that provides support to wounded soldiers of the 82 Airborne Division through a variet of ways. The all-volunteer and completely donation-funded committee makes hospital visitations monthly to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), twice a year to Brooke Army Medical Center and volunteers meet wounded soldiers who arrive at Womack Army Medical Center. The committee provides items such as fleece jackets and blankets for the soldiers. The outreach helps them feel connected to their units and to know that their particular needs are considered. It gives them a way to get specialty items that might be particularly helpful due to the nature of their injuries. For example, pants with snaps up the sides have been a special request from soldiers with leg injuries.

It is easy to see Bauguess’ passion for helping others after spending any amount of time with her. In fact, her passion is contagious. She has never had to recruit volunteers for the 82WWC or organize fundraising for it. People hear about the committee and spread the word. The positive impact of the outreach speaks for itself and compels individuals and organizations to donate the money needed to buy the gifts for the soldiers.

On a typical visit to WRAMC, Wesley makes the drive to Washington D.C., with another volunteer or two as well as a full load of gifts in her trunk. She packs anything she thinks the soldiers might ask for: backpacks, pillows, blankets, T-shirts, water bottles and jackets. She also always has plenty of thank-you cards and candy on hand. Once a month, volunteers gather at Bauguess’ home to put together all of the items. Each item is carefully packaged by hand and embellished with the 82nd logo. Cards are handmade. It is important to Bauguess and the rest of the committee that each item is a beautifully-presented gift to emphasize the importance of each individual soldier.

Upon arrival to WRAMC, Bauguess meets with the division liason, who ensures that the 82 Airborne Division wounded soldiers are receiving the care that they need. He knows the schedules of the soldiers and takes her around the medical center to visit with all who are available. She spends time chatting with them and hands out some of the committee’s gifts, then finds out if they need anything in particular. She usually concludes the visit by taking everyone out to lunch at a local restaurant. Bauguess’ goal is that every wounded 82nd soldier knows that their sacrifices are greatly appreciated and that they are never forgotten.

As Bauguess herself knows, life often presents us with circumstances that we do not wish for. At a recent luncheon to honor wounded soldiers, she mentioned that her husband Larry always said, “It doesn’t matter what happens to you in life; what matters to you is how you react to it.” The way people react to the difficult things that happen to them shows their true character. In Bauguess’ case, there is no question as to the kind of character she possesses.