Caring For Our Nation's Wounded Warriors

Op-Ed

Caring For Our Nation's Wounded Warriors

Two years ago, the American people got a glimpse into the military's premier caring facility for wounded warriors returning home, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. What they saw -- indeed, what I saw -- was deeply troubling.

Some of our nation's bravest citizens were living in rat and cockroach infested rooms with stained carpets, cheap mattresses, and black mold, sometimes with no heat and water.

They were burdened by cumbersome paperwork, requiring some soldiers to prove they fought in Iraq or Afghanistan in order to obtain medical treatment and benefits because Walter Reed employees were unable to locate their records.

Needless to say, the conditions at Walter Reed were not worthy of the tremendous sacrifices our brave men and women have given to our nation.

Fortunately, things at Walter Reed have changed -- standards have been raised and facilities upgraded. The Veterans Affairs Department launched an extensive look into the veterans' healthcare system and a review of all of medical facilities to ensure healthcare standards were being met.

Thanks in part to Wyoming's own Major General Carla Hawley-Bowland, who now oversees the Army's North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Medical Center, the facility and staff is providing our veterans the care they so richly deserve.

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Walter Reed to see for myself that our nation's wounded warriors are receiving the quality care to which they are entitled.

There, I toured the Military Advanced Training Center (MATC), which opened in September of 2007. It offers cutting-edge equipment and advanced therapy to service members who are undergoing rehabilitation. With sophisticated computer systems and the latest prostheses, MATC provides enhanced care to amputees and individuals who have lost limb function.

This state-of-the-art facility includes a climbing wall -- which I saw a young soldier with a prosthetic leg scaling with ease -- incline parallel bars and physical therapy athletic and exercise areas.

This $10 million center supplements the capabilities of other Walter Reed facilities and supports the Army's goal to return to duty skilled leaders who personify the best our country has to offer.

The therapy those soldiers have to go through is grueling. Yet, everywhere I looked, there were smiles and even some laughter. Every soldier I talked to stated unequivocally that they would go back in the service if they could and expressed no regret.

I also had the great privilege of speaking to one brave young man serving in the Wyoming National Guard. This young man has battled through more than 80 surgeries since he was wounded in Afghanistan. Thankfully, he is on the mend and receiving the quality care he has earned a thousand times over. He is looking forward to the day when he can pursue his other dream, that of being a teacher.

We all owe a great deal of gratitude and thanks for the sacrifices this young man and his family have made to keep our nation secure. Indeed, we are thankful for all of our servicemen and women and their families. They are shining examples of what America stands for -- freedom, bravery and liberty.

As your representative in Congress, I will fight to ensure the men and women of the armed services will never go through another experience like the one at Walter Reed two years ago. I will not tire or grow complacent in that fight. More can always be done, and I will work to make sure they are never forgotten.

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