Troop Talk
Ours is a nation born from the dreams of those who dared to declare themselves free from a vast empire, confronting a monarchy with forces far more powerful than the 13 colonies’ meager militias. The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 232 years ago.
The document did not make Americans free. It was a statement of intent, but until someone put actions behind those words, the decision to be independent remained just words. A few men signing their names to a document could not win the battle alone; they needed the support of brave people willing to risk everything for freedom.
The brave citizen-Soldiers of that era were like every servicemember today who knows what it means to sacrifice. Every spouse, parent, child and friend of a Soldier knows what it is to be concerned for the safety of their loved one.
Recently, to recognize that sacrifice, the Army has made its own declaration. It is a vow, a covenant to give back to Soldiers and Army families the support they deserve. The covenant, signed here in December 2007 by the secretary of the Army and other senior leaders, made a promise to give Army families a supportive environment with accessible, quality health care, great housing, excellent educational opportunities and child care, child and youth programs, and expanding programs to assist spouses in their employment searches.
William Beaumont Army Medical Center just opened an expansion to the emergency waiting room, giving us the most advanced medical laboratory in the Department of Defense. A new triage area opened June 24 and will allow emergency room personnel to process patients faster, decreasing wait times significantly.
Another medical program Fort Bliss is getting recognition for is the Resilience and Restoration Center pilot program. The R&R Center treats warriors with severe post-traumatic stress disorder who want to return to service.
The program focuses on intense counseling with both Soldiers and their families and uses a combination of traditional and non-traditional medicine for a holistic approach. So far, it is leaps and bounds ahead of any other PTSD program.
Of the 35 warrior transition battalions in the Army, Fort Bliss’ rates the highest. The WTB is a supportive environment in which troops can recover from injuries in a compassionate, positive way, enabling them to get back to service sooner. Our Soldiers are our most precious resource, and no wounded warrior should ever feel that he or she has been left behind.
As our Soldiers continue to persevere in the Global War on Terrorism, we will continue to look for ways to support both Soldiers and families. It’s amazing when you consider that in just 232 years, our Army grew from a mismatched band of militiamen to the top fighting force in the world.
It was the average American patriot who made America free. Two hundred thirty-three years later, it continues to be the average American who maintains the fabric of our freedom, weaved together as strongly as the red stripes and blue stars on the flag we honor.
This weekend as you fly your flag, watch fireworks or barbecue with friends, please remember to stay safe, use common sense and never, ever drink and drive.
I also ask you to remember the patriots who have gone before us. Without the men and women of the armed forces who have fought and continue to fight, there would be no America to celebrate.
Today, 260,000 Soldiers are deployed in nearly 80 countries overseas. In this era of terrorism and unconventional warfare, our Soldiers persist through multiple deployments to fight an ever-adapting enemy.
On America’s 232nd birthday, may God continue to bless our nation, our military and all Americans.
Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg
Fort Bliss Commanding General