DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. -- Taking to heart Army Chief of Staff Gen. Odierno's words about supporting veterans, last week Maj. Gen. Kurt J. Stein, commanding general of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, along with his wife, Debbie Stein, and Command Sgt. Maj. Clinton Hall visited veterans at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center and the Piquette Square for Veterans in Detroit.
The visits are one part of Maj. Gen. Stein's continuing efforts to improve and enhance the connection that the Army and the TACOM LCMC have with the local community.
"Somehow we need to do a better job of connecting our Soldiers with VA medical resources," the general told Dr. Pamela Reeves, director of the Dingell VA Medical Center, and other VA Medical Center employees. The group, which included VA Medical Center senior staff, Operation Enduring Freedom veterans and others, talked about ongoing efforts to connect with recent veterans through a variety of initiatives, including hosting yellow ribbon events, which are held at local military installations when Soldiers return home from deployment.
"We try to reach as many veterans as possible," said Master Sgt. Smith, a Marine Corps liaison who is part of the Marine Corps' Wounded Warrior Regiment located at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
"I personally visit veterans in Michigan and talk with them about their medical benefits and why they should come to the VA Medical Center. They believe me and trust what I tell them."
The trip to the medical center included a visit to the Community Living Center, a sneak peek at the new PTSD mental health center and a walk around the facility. The general and his group talked to veterans and passed out more than 98 dozen cookies, which were baked for the veterans by the TACOM LCMC military members and G1 Human Capital staff.
The next stop on the trip was a visit to Piquette Square for Veterans, a housing project run by Southwest Housing Solutions, a nonprofit organization that has received national recognition for the planning, development and management of affordable housing and commercial property in Detroit. Piquette Square for Veterans provides comprehensive services and housing for homeless veterans.
At Piquette Square for Veterans, Maj. Gen. Stein took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new community center that was funded by the Masco Corporation.
To the veterans, Masco representatives and community leaders attending the event, Gen. Stein said, "I want to thank Masco for what you do for the community. To the leadership of this organization, thank you for taking care of our veterans. It's clear that you care about veterans. I leave here with a good feeling for this facility."
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Maj. Gen. Stein, Mrs. Stein and Command Sgt. Maj. Hall toured the facility and visited one of the resident's apartments.
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