By John M. Rosenberg, Warrior Care and Transition
ARLINGTON, Va. — Thanksgiving has defined the month of November ever since the holiday was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It’s only fitting that Warrior Care Month (WCM) is also commemorated during the 11th month of the calendar year, since 2008 when then Secretary of Defense Robert F. Gates designated it as a time to honor wounded, ill and injured service members, their Families and Caregivers.
The U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Deputy Chief of Staff for Warrior Care and Transition (DSC, WCT) is the focal point in marking WCM activities for the Army. Its primary mission is in developing, coordinating and integrating the Army's Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) for wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans and their Families and Caregivers to promote success in the force or civilian life.
More than 70,000 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers have passed through Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) and Community Care Units overseen by DSC, WCT. Deputy Chief of Staff, Warrior Care and Transition Col. Matthew St. Laurent says, “We work very hard, mentally, emotionally, and passionately, to improve our WCTP processes and tasks on behalf of Soldiers, Veterans and their Families. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reflect and to be thankful for all our blessings.”
St. Laurent says “We are especially blessed and privileged to work for our Soldiers in transition.”
Among the warriors entrusted to DCS, WCT care is Master Sgt. Tommy Munford of Joint Base Lewis-McChord WTU who says that he and his fellow WTU Soldiers are most thankful for the outflowing of support that they receive for their service. According to Munford, “We Soldiers view Thanksgiving as a time of recognition that we will do whatever it takes to safeguard America's freedom from those who threaten us harm. We feel the tremendous gratitude of the American people. That is what the holiday means to us, as the protectors of this great nation that we call home.”
Munford also expresses gratitude for his Triad of Care within the WTU at which he is attending to his recovery.
These sentiments were echoed by Spc. Leeroy James who recently graduated summa cum laude with a degree in forensic science, all the while recovering at Walter Reed WTU. Leeroy states, “I am grateful for the WTU personnel for their hard work, dedication, and patience in ensuring that all of us service members in transition are well taken care of physically, mentally, and spiritually. They go above and beyond the scope of their responsibilities to guarantee that we are comfortable with our different situations, medical treatment plans, transition process, and all other things in between.”
James wishes everyone within his WTU a blessed Thanksgiving, saying “You are all a part of my Army Family.”
For others, Thanksgiving is about remembering those who are no longer with us. Staff Sgt. John Henderson of the Fort Bliss WTU thinks of his step-father, a Vietnam War Veteran who made a lasting impression on him and taught him the values that he still holds dear. “My step-father,” says Henderson, “gave me the drive to continue on regardless of my injuries, to maintain that level of excellence, and to never give up.”
“During the Thanksgiving holiday my thoughts are never far from the brave men and women currently deployed in defense of our nation, those who were injured or became ill while protecting our country, and the dedicated individuals at our Warrior Transition Units who play such a critical role in caring for our wounded, injured and ill Soldiers,” said Tom Webb, executive director for Warrior Care and Transition.
Webb says, “I consider it an honor and privilege to continue serving Soldiers and Families as part of the WCT, MEDCOM and Army teams. I am hopeful that all can gather around the table with their Families on this holiday in order to give thanks. During this holiday season and at all times, we must keep those currently deployed in our thoughts and give thanks for the sacrifices they continually make.”
