FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Army Materiel Command's top leader Gen. Dennis L. Via visited with wounded warriors and their families where they receive state-of-the-art physical and emotional care during a recent trip to San Antonio.
Via and his wife Linda toured the Center for the Intrepid, a facility designed to rehabilitate wounded warriors, as well as the Warrior and Family Support Center, a neighboring center which provides coordinated services to patients and family members.
"My wife and I were able to sit down and talk with great warriors and their families who have sacrificed so much for this nation," said Via. "To hear their stories and the support they are receiving at these two facilities is humbling. Many spoke about the tremendous difference these centers and people have made allowing our Soldiers to gain their lives back."
Both facilities are located near Fort Sam Houston and the Brooke Army Medical Center, where many combat-wounded service members are treated, and both were built entirely from private funds through the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
"It is remarkable to think about the many Americans who have provided resources and volunteered to make these facilities a reality," said Via. "That support is helping countless Soldiers return to a high quality of life with their families."
The visit provided Via insight on Soldier protection initiatives. "When we see Soldiers here and talk to them about their injuries, I want to know what we can do at the Army Materiel Command to provide better equipment to protect our troops," he said.
AMC manages 75% of the Army's Science and Technology, Research and Development portfolio and is focused on research and development initiatives to keep Soldiers safe. Projects like the Head Health Challenge II program and driverless vehicle systems look at minimizing impact on Soldiers.
"One promising technology is autonomous vehicles," said Via. "Through those, we can have equipment and materiel delivered in the combat zone without having a driver in the vehicle. We lose far too many Soldiers and see too many injuries because of the transport of materiel; with autonomous vehicles we can deliver that equipment without exposing our troops to injury."
This was the Via's first visit to the Center for the Intrepid and Warrior and Family Support Center as the AMC commanding general.
Social Sharing