Wounded Warrior Battalion Opens New Barracks
The following story and pictures were sent to us by Terese Thomas who is our contact person for donating quilts to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton. This is her account of the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new barracks:
Friday, March 26, 2010
Phew what a day!! Lots of “suits” were there, a two star general, and brass from all aspects of the Wounded Warrior Battalion mission. It was an impressive day, with the highlight being this gorgeous new barracks. What really surprised me, though I guess I should not have been, was the full aspect of the grand plan. This new barracks is only the first step of a huge master plan. Within one year two additional buildings will be completed in the same general area – an administration building and a Hope and Care center (think USMC version of a Ronald McDonald house). After that will come a huge new gym. They discussed that the master plan was to bring Marines back to fitness – FOR LIFE! If they were capable of returning to active duty, then they would be expected to be fit. If they were going to a permanent limited duty program with the USMC or getting out to civilian life, the hope was there would be **some** physical activity they could find to be within their capabilities and stay with them for life. They are adding barracks, admin buildings, gym and support structures in Camp LeJeune, too. One of the things in the plan is a huge center focusing on TBI (traumatic Brain Injury). These Marines are incredibly dedicated and to be honored for not forgetting their WII (new acronym: Wounded, Ill and Injured) Marines. I scanned and attached the mission statement which is far more eloquent than I could ever be….
So what did I see: two floors; central offices at the entrance with ancillary offices down the wings. Main kitchen (with an oven!!) upstairs, with loads of seating around in the building and outside under cover. The small and cozy building they now occupy worked for a while. When they get to 200+ residents the one central galley just won’t work. Each wing (and floor) had small kitchenettes down them for quick meal and group gathering.
Each room had two beds, a flat screen television, desks, lockers, a sink suitable for wheelchair and a wheelchair friendly shower. Bed size: I think they were full, but when I return on Wednesday I’ll take one of my full quilts to toss on an unoccupied bed for measurement perspective. Everything was clean, friendly, well laid out and totally bare – nobody has moved in yet. (Guess what they are doing today…..)
Now with my tax return visits I will start taking quilts so the rooms won’t be so stark…..and to clear out my spare bedroom!!
