Fort Sam Houston welcomes Liberty Barracks, presents Purple Heart during ceremony

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Fort Sam Houston officially welcomed the opening of its newest Wounded Warrior barracks during a ribbon cutting ceremony here April 2.

Liberty Barracks, the latest warrior transition facility, will be home to Soldiers as they undergo treatment and rehabilitation at the nearby Brooke Army Medical Center, and one of the distinguished guests helping to cut the ribbon was also the most recent Purple Heart recipient as well.

Maj. Gen. Walter Davis, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army North, presented the Purple Heart Award to Sgt. Richard Rye, who was wounded by small-arms fire while conducting motor pool operations Dec 1. Rye served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 125th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

As part of his presentation to Sgt. Rye, Davis quoted Winston Churchill, saying that while Soldiers and other service members often stand humbly before such figures as the esteemed British prime minister or general officers such as himself, it is the generals and prime ministers who are in greater awe and most humble before heroes such as Rye and others like him. It is with facilities such as Liberty Barracks that the military can begin to repay the debts owed to those men and women by caring for them and helping them to heal.

Rye thanked those who he said he felt contributed most and accepted the honor alongside his wife, Leda. His father was present and pinned the Purple Heart to his ACU jacket.

Maj. Gen. M. Ted Wong, commanding general, BAMC, oversaw the ceremony alongside Davis.

"The opening of this facility reaffirms our commitment and duty to support and assist Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors during a difficult time in their lives," Wong said. "Not only did these men and women volunteer to defend our country's freedom, they have gone in harm's way resulting in their injuries. They are our Nation's heroes, and we as a Nation need to repay this debt."

The new $48.6 million, five-story barracks offers 216,873 square feet of space and can house up to 360 Wounded Warriors. The 180 suites consist of two bedrooms with a common area per suite. There are 36 suites per floor, and all suites on the first floor are American's with Disabilities Act approved.

The facility also includes a multi-purpose room, a central courtyard with three picnic areas and barbeque pavilions, shaded seating walls and a covered mailbox area. The location is centrally situated between the amenities of Joint Base San Antonio and BAMC with three new company headquarters located in the administrative building adjacent to the barracks.