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Hall of Remembrance Opens at Fort Hood
American Forces Press Service ^
| Joy Pariante
Posted on 01/19/2010 4:09:56 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 The survivor outreach services center here officially opened the Hall of Remembrance Jan. 11 to honor all those affiliated with Fort Hood and surrounding Texas communities who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, looks at the pictures hanging in the Hall of Remembrance honoring those who paid the ultimate price. The hall was officially opened to the public Jan. 11, 2010, and honors the fallen with a Central Texas or Fort Hood affiliation. U.S. Army photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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A private opening, featuring the photos of fallen heroes displayed across a wall, was held Dec. 22, with 189 family members of the fallen in attendance.
The first opening, with a roll call of all the servicemembers on the wall, was for honoring and healing, officials said. The public opening, they explained, was to promote awareness of the survivor outreach services program -- known as SOS -- and to acknowledge the communitys support in making both the hall and SOS headquarters possible, said Janeth Lopez, SOS program manager.
This is the result of a commitment to keep a promise, said Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood. He quoted from President Abraham Lincolns second inaugural address, which explains that promise: Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.
SOS provides surviving families with a connection to their Army family for as long as they want it and with whatever support they need, Lopez said. This includes programs such as financial counseling, support groups and grief camps for children. SOS staff members also make phone calls to families, send cards and publish newsletters to keep family members connected. They also reassure them that theyre remembered and will be cared for, Lopez said.
While SOS is an Army program, its representatives lend their services to families of airmen, sailors and Marines in need as well, Lopez noted.
To date, 613 servicemembers have died from the 175 counties in Fort Hoods SOS area of operations, which includes northern and central Texas.
The Hall of Remembrance is inside the SOS headquarters building, which is a completely refurbished battalion headquarters. The center was established using donations of more than $40,000. Furniture, electronics and appliances were donated by the Association of the U.S. Army, Ashley Furniture, Modern TV and Appliance, Wal-Mart, the Shine Team, the Fort Hood USO, Fort Hood National Bank and Don Moore, who donated the art for the facility. AUSA funded the Hall of Remembrance.
The hall features framed personal photographs, some with heartfelt notes from families attached to the backs, Lopez said. Families chose the photograph they thought best represented their fallen hero. The result was a collage of high school yearbook photos, sketches and candid shots of soldiers on patrol and relaxing while deployed.
From what [the families] have told us, it brings a sense of healing for them, and they know their soldier is not forgotten, Lopez said.
(Joy Pariante writes for the Fort Hood Sentinel.)
Biographies: Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone
Related Sites: Fort Hood, Texas
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Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas; Ron Taylor, president of the Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army; and Don Jones, AUSA regional president, prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Hall of Remembrance at Fort Hood, Jan. 11, 2010. U.S. Army photo Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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A bronze statue on a table helps to adorn the Hall of Remembrance, which opened to the public at Fort Hood, Texas, Jan. 11, 2010. U.S. Army photo Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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Military leaders and family members view the 97 photos of fallen soldiers that hang on the walls of the Hall of Remembrance at Fort Hood, Texas, during the official dedication held Jan. 11, 2010. U.S. Army photo Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: forthood; hall; opens; remembrance
1
posted on
01/19/2010 4:09:58 PM PST
by
SandRat
To: SandRat
Too bad that’s ALL it is now. A remembrance. Thanks to the TOTUS and the MSM. It’s nowhere near the top of discussion.
2
posted on
01/19/2010 4:12:21 PM PST
by
albie
To: SandRat
I hate to be negative, but this will just be another holy place for the muzzies. It will represent a place where one good Muslim sacrificed 14 non believers to Allah.
3
posted on
01/19/2010 7:23:02 PM PST
by
Surtur
(Are we on Athen's time yet?)
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