FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Survivor Outreach Services center opened its doors March 22 when Maj. Gen. Robert Brown, Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning commanding general, and Andrea Jones and Sue Peney, family members of fallen Soldiers, cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony.
Following the ribbon cutting, a Wall of Heroes ceremony, which took place in the Hall of Remembrance, was held in dedication to eight fallen Soldiers.
Two honor guards from the 198th Infantry Brigade placed each Soldier's plaque on the wall in remembrance.
"The Hall of Remembrance offers survivors a solid place to reflect on the memories of their Soldiers as well as a place to honor their memories," said William Allen, Army Community Services operations specialist.
Allen said the memories of the fallen Soldiers "will live on in this solemn room dedicated to them and the memory of their sacrifice."
Brown said he hoped the center would provide some relief and comfort to survivors.
"The families of our fallen warriors will always be a part of our Army family," Brown said. "They have a great load to shoulder as they carry on without their loved ones and our beloved brothers and sisters in arms."
The center will be the home of numerous programs and services, which cater to surviving family members, including financial counseling, military family life counseling, reflection rooms, on-site day care, classes and social events.
About 240 families will be served through the Fort Benning SOS center. The center provides services to families in 14 counties in Florida, 11 in Alabama and 57 in Georgia.
"At this new center, we will be able to provide a comprehensive array of programs and services dedicated to delivering the Army's commitment to families of fallen service members through a holistic and multi-agency approach," Brown said.
Regular hours for the center are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about SOS services, call 706-545-4043.
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