FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - A ground breaking ceremony held Oct. 28 next to the Marine and Navy Reserve Center officially began the construction of a new 5,000 square-foot annex for wounded Marines.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Gene Overstreet, 12th Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps, was the keynote speaker, with Lt. Col. Douglas Olbrich, officer in charge of the Marine Corps Patient Affairs Team at Brooke Army Medical Center, and Brig. Gen. James Gilman, commanding general, Great Plains Regional Medical Command and BAMC guest speakers.
"The most important part about it, is that it will be a place the Marines can call their own. It will be a place for the Marines to sit, relax and talk with each other," Olbrich said.
Olbrich, who saw a need for such a building, said, "The Army has been very gracious to us, everything the Soldiers have is open to us, but, I want their own space where there will be Marine colors on the wall, Marine posters, have the place just scream, 'this is where the grunts are.'"
Olbrich said half of the building will house the Marine Corps Patient Affairs Team, currently at Brooke Army Medical Center. The other half will have a lounge with couches, computers, flat-screen TVs and gaming systems. It will be a place where wounded Marines will be able to see movies, relax and talk to each other. The Navy will also be invited to share the lounge.
"But our country expects more from her Marines than just recovery and rehabilitation. America expects her Marines to excel." Olbrich said.
"Our Warrior lounge is about goals, goals identified, goals addressed and goals achieved, and they (America) expect Marines to excel at achieving those goals," Olbrich said.
The lounge will have a reading room, a place to take courses, and an information board for those who plan to stay in the Marine Corps after their recovery, and Marines will now be able to work on special projects using computers. For Marines contemplating returning to civilian life, a large conference room will have guest speakers, business leaders and mentors that can offer tools to help a Marine serve his country as a former Marine.
Gilman said, "It is my honor today to be here to give them a place where they can provide more support and more help to injured, ill and wounded recovering Marines."
"It is a great day in the corps today," said Overstreet, as he began his remarks. This is very much needed, and it is a pleasure for Marines to be here and break ground.
Overstreet spoke about the history of the Army in San Antonio, the Army's Medical Corps, and the changes at Fort Sam Houston due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure.
The ceremony included a presentation of the Meritorious Service Medal to Olbrich who is leaving the office of the Marine Patient Affairs.
(Esther Garcia works in the Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Office)
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