Ruppersberger Helps Cut Ribbon to Center for Wounded Warriors at Fort Meade

New facility opens just in time for Veteran’s Day

(Fort Meade, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today joined Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Army Surgeon General, Lieutenant General Erick B. Schoomaker, as well as Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Soldier and Family Assistance Center at Fort Meade. The facility will provide educational, career and financial counseling as well as other services to wounded, injured and ill soldiers who are returning to active duty or to civilian life. The new center will be a one-stop-shop for services ranging from computer training to substance abuse counseling to financial help for the entire family.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Veteran’s Day than opening this new facility to help soldiers and their families work through what may be a very difficult time,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Our wounded warriors and their families have sacrificed so much. They deserve a top-notch facility to help them transition back into the community. It fills the practical needs of our soldiers while being a symbol of our obligation to improve the quality of life for the men and women in uniform.”

The new facility comprised of two modular buildings includes office space, a conference and training room, a handicapped-accessible kitchen, a child activity room and a playground.  The project was completed thanks to a partnership between the USO of Metropolitan Washington’s Operation Enduring Care Campaign and the Fort Meade Alliance. Corporate and individual donors contributed funds to the USO, which were used to purchase computers, kitchen appliances, children’s toys and office furniture.  The fund raising effort raised more than $140,000 in less than one month.

The Army created 35 Warrior Transition Units at Army installations in 2007 to assist troops and their families.  In addition to the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, a second modular building will house the Warrior Transition Unit’s administrative offices.  The Warrior Transition Unit provides critical support to wounded and ill soldiers who are expected to require six months of rehabilitative care. The units have physicians, nurses, squad leaders, platoon sergeants and mental health professionals.