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~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 
The National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Maryland has for decades been the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. NNMC’s primary mission is to assure the readiness and care of the Uniformed Services and their families. A federal institution, it conducts medical and dental research as well as providing health care for American leaders, including the president and his family. Beneficiaries include current and retired service members from all military services. 
In 1938, the United States Congress appropriated funds for the acquisition of land for the construction of a new Naval medical center, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt selected the present site in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 5, 1938.
Ground was broken by John McShain Builders for the Naval Medical Center on June 29, 1939 by Rear Admiral Percival S. Rossiter, MC, USN, (Ret.). President Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Tower on Armistice Day, November 11, 1940.
The original Medical Center was composed of the Naval Hospital, designed to hold 1,200 beds, and the Naval Medical School, the Naval Dental School (now the National Naval Dental Center) and the Naval Medical Research Institute. In 1945, at the end of World War II, temporary buildings were added to accommodate up to 2,464 wounded American Sailors and Marines.
NNMC is the Navy's third-largest health care delivery system and provides more than 12,500 ambulatory surgeries and almost 8,000 inpatient admissions each year. The National Naval Medical Center is one of the nation’s largest and most renowned military medical centers, best known for its history of providing care to war heroes and presidents alike for the past 65 years. People come here to heal, to stay healthy, to help others, to teach the next generation, to practice quality medicine, and take part in cutting-edge clinical research. 
In August 1960, a $5.6 million expansion project was initiated and consisted of two five-story wings attached to the main building's east side. Completed in the summer of 1963, Buildings 7 and 8 provided space for 258 beds and replaced the World War II temporary ward buildings.
In January 1973, the mission of the Naval Medical Center was modified to include the provision: "to provide coordinated dispensary health care services as an integral element of the Naval Regional Health Care System, including shore activities, as may be assigned." This change established the National Naval Medical Center Region and placed all naval health care facilities within the Naval District Washington under the authority of the commanding officer of the Medical Center. 
The new inpatient buildings and the Naval Medical Center were consolidated into one command on September 1, 1973 to form National Naval Medical Center. In 1975, an extensive renovation began which included the construction of two new buildings: Building 9, a three-story outpatient structure, and Building 10, a seven-story, 500 bed inpatient facility, with a combined area of more than 880,000 square feet.
Since 2003, NNMC has treated more than 1,600 war wounded service members, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel. NNMC is the designated hospital for Navy and Marine casualties returning to the continental United States from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Additionally, NNMC is the only Defense Department facility capable of comprehensive complex neurocritical care for wartime Traumatic Brain Injury patients. 
Learn More About National Naval Medical Center HERE!!
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) mandate stated that by September 15, 2011, the services currently provided at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) would relocate to the current National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) location in Bethesda, MD. The joining of these two longstanding centerpieces of military, world class health care will be named the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda. Groundbreaking took place on July 3, 2008 with President George W. Bush officiating.
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always |
Lamh Foistenach Abu!