Overcoming Obstacles Between Wounded Warriors and Community Resources

by James Cullum

The recreational future for Wounded Warriors at Ft. Belvoir looks bright, but the devil is in the details.  

U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland, the U.S. Army and community stakeholders agreed to collaborate to give wounded warriors more recreational options. 

"We have substantial natural resources that very few other communities can draw upon," said Moran. "There is an exception opportunity presented in this community to show the rest of the country - the world even, the way to best address the needs of our wounded warriors."

But ethics rules prohibit the Army from soliciting, or asking, for services for wounded warriors.

"We can't use our non-appropriated funds to transfer our soldiers for recreational activities," said Jean Whalen, director of the Warrior Transition Office Northern Regional Medical Center. "We can not solicit. The community can partner up with us to tell us what is offered."

Gadson said that bureaucratic hurdles were inevitable. "No one has really tried to do this," he said. 

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland recommended that a point person representing all of the community organizations deal directly with a point person at Belvoir. 

As for transportation: "What if you had a standing offer from the County to offer FasTran buses when you need a trip for 30-40 people Could you accept that?" Hyland asked. 

"Probably," said Lt. Col. Carl Curriera, battalion commander of the Warrior Transition Battalion. "The solution for a lot of these things exists. It's just a matter of connecting the dots."