VFW learns about the care of Wounded Warriors

In a special presentation by Sergeant Major Mark J. O’Loughlin of the Wounded Warrior Battalion West on Camp Pendleton on Jan. 10, the members of Fallbrook VFW Post 1924 were briefed on various aspects of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Program.

O’Loughlin stated the project’s over all mission was, “to provide and facilitate non-medical care to all combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines and Sailors and their families attached to or in direct support of Marine units.

Whether a Marine is injured in a car accident, has a debilitating illness, or is physically or psychologically wounded as a result of combat, the Wounded Warrior Program provides non-medical care throughout the recovery process and helps successfully return them to full duty or transition to civilian life.

The regimental headquarters for Wounded Warriors is in Quantico, Va. and commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Lejeune, N.C. (Wounded Warrior Battalion East) and Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Wounded Warrior Battalion West).

“Wounded Warrior Battalion West encompasses the naval hospital at 29 Palms, the VA Polytrauma Center in Palo Alto, Calif., Balboa Naval Hospital, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, and the Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan,” explained O’Loughlin.

In October of 2011, construction of a new $31 million Wounded Warrior headquarters and Hope and Care Center was completed at Camp Pendleton. The Hope and Care Center includes a resource and recovery center, weight training center, outdoor amphitheater, therapeutic gardens, indoor therapy pool, outdoor lap pool, climbing wall, a 1/8 mile covered track, and a variety of office spaces for counseling, training, employment and other outreach programs.

A secondary purpose of O’Loughlin’s appearance was to determine how the local VFW Post could work with the Marines to the benefit of the warriors in his command. The post’s proximity to Camp Pendleton makes it the nearest off-base veteran’s service organization for assisting the wounded warriors with claims and other benefits at the Veterans Administration (VA) as they transition to civilian life following completion of their military service. O’Loughlin said the Wounded Warrior Regiment strives to support both active. Reserve, and former Marines wherever they are in support of their belief…”Once a Marine, Always a Marine!”

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According to Andrew Genninger, VFW Post 1924 liaison for Wounded Warrior Battlation-West:

• The Wounded Warrior Batallion-West has over 250 Marines and Sailors under treatment and care at the San Diego US Naval Hospital in Balboa Park. A similar number of wounded warriors reside at the Camp Pendleton Wounded Warrior Barracks or off-base in surrounding communities like Fallbrook.

• The Furniture for Service Members and Veterans Project, coordinated by Peter Frederickson of the VFW Post in conjunction with Home Front San Diego and the Marine Corps League’s Detachment #1207 has delivered over 1,000 items of furniture to Camp Pendleton with more (including scooters and household appliances) to service members and veterans living in the surrounding communities.

The 83-year old Genninger, a World War II and Korean War veteran, also serves as the Toys for Tots North County coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve’s 4th Tank Batallion based at Miramar Marines Corps Air Station.