FORT HOOD, Texas - Darnall Army Medical Center's deployed Soldiers received new recognition by hospital leaders Sept. 29 at the Deployed Warrior Wall presentation.
The six foot by nine foot artwork displays the photos of Darnall's deployed medics, doctors, nurses, providers and caregivers who are serving in line units, combat support hospitals and medical staffs in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Honduras and Cuba.
"One thing that's unique about our warriors that deploy is that they deploy as individuals. They don't deploy as units, so we wanted to do something to honor our deployed warriors because we consider their deployment a significant achievement," said Lt. Col. Charles Burton, troop commander.
The Deployed Warrior Wall is strategically located in the basement of CRDAMC near the dining facility.
"Most of our staff comes through this hallway on a daily basis," said Col. Steven Braverman, CRDAMC commander. "They will have a constant reminder that we have our fellow Soldiers making that sacrifice, being away from their families, being away from their regular work environments to take care of Soldiers and in some cases to take care of Iraqis, Afghanis, other places, other people who need our support and our assistance."
Braverman added that the wall is not just for the Soldiers, it's also for their families.
"They also are sacrificing," he said. "Part of this is for those families who also come through and get their care at Darnall, so they can see that we're honoring their family members, their fathers, their husbands, their brothers, their sisters. This is about them, and we'll continue to do everything that we do to support our Soldiers out in the field."
This wall is the third in a series of initiatives designed to recognize Darnall's deployed Soldiers. The first two initiatives, which began earlier this year, were aimed at redeployment support.
"They don't always get the accolades when they return home that people belonging to large units get when they return as a unit," said Braverman, "so now, we meet them at the airport and thank them for their service."
Additionally, Soldiers are now honored during Darnall's monthly recognition and awards ceremony.
"We've made it a point, as well, that all of our returning, redeploying Soldiers participate in that recognition ceremony, so we as a staff can stand up and applaud and say thank you for their sacrifice," said Braverman.
The Deployed Warrior Wall currently displays 35 of Darnall's 46 deployed Soldiers, with more photos to be added soon. The photos will remain on the wall throughout their deployment.
"Now, we have something visible today that lets us all know, as we continue through our day-to-day activities, that we have some folks far away doing great things for our country," said Braverman.
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