MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Camp Pendleton military officials and Sean Hulen, vice president of the construction company, cut the ceremonial ribbon during the opening of the Hope and Care Center at Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Oct. 8. The new facility will serve as a rehabilitation center for wounded, ill and injured Marines and sailors during their recovery time. USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Michelle S Mattei

Hope and Care Center opens for wounded warriors
10/12/2011
by Lance Cpl. Michelle S. Mattei, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in celebration of the opening of Camp Pendleton’s Warrior Hope and Care Center, Oct. 6, marking the end of a nearly three-year-long construction. The new facility located in the Wounded Warrior Battalion West will house offices for counseling and transition services that cater to wounded, ill and injured Marines, sailors and their families during their healing process.

“The men and women who, after 9/11, volunteered to fight terrorists have endured multiple deployments and continue to fight in one of the longest engagements in our history,” said Sean Hulen, vice president of the construction company. “You are protecting our freedom and will successfully transition back into civilian life or stay in the Marine Corps or Navy with the service provided by [this battalion].”

The nearly $30 million project is the latest addition to the WWBn-W that was established on base in 2007 in an effort to treat service members who were injured in battle or training, or off-base accidents who don't need long-term hospitalization.

The new 30,000-square-foot LEED Platinum Certified campus has 38 office spaces and will accommodate wounded warrior support ranging from family readiness, mental health, recovery care coordinators, as well as host the battalion’s Warrior Athletic Reconditioning Program.

“[Constructing this facility] showed an extraordinary focus and attention to detail, yielding in results unlike any other project I’ve been associated with,” said Capt. Michael Williamson, officer in charge of construction, Marine Corps Installations West. “The water features and fountains create a tranquil healing environment, the landscapes integrate all the facilities into a true campus like environment that produce connectivity throughout the facility to ease wounded warriors healing processes.”

The WHCC will also contain a community area which includes family and computer lounges, child play area, presentation and training rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art physical training facility

“This facility represents the yielding commitment that the Marine Corps has made to keep the faith with our wounded, ill and injured,” said Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood, commanding officer, WWBn-W. “Marines and their families will fill the holes with motivation, courage, compassion and hope while continuing to push the boundaries of what the human spirit can accomplish.”