At Ft Carson they are always re-arranging, making better, trying to accomodate unforeseen needs... and the biggest challenge has been the fluctuating amounts of soldiers in the Warriors in Transition Unit ( WTU or WTB)
I believe they have made some wonderful progress. They have just completed a new set of barracks, that is quite impressive, but that will help enhance the quality of life, and medical care for our soldiers. It is closer to the hospital as well, allowing for less travel for some of these injured.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was this week. There are already some soldiers living in there, but they opened a few rooms for everyone to see. We kind of decorated with some of our Quilts of Valor... it made it homey, but the best part is, it brought QOV to a lot of higher ups - and the dedication of our quilters, and the love that we show in our quilts.
Kind of nice to get a nod... so kudos to all of you quilters!!! (we rock!!)
So - are you ready for the pics?
This is the outside of the barracks. It is state of the art. Built by M.A. Mortenson Company, they used geothermal heating and cooling, Solar water heaters, and made sure the whole first floor meets the ADA standards, and the other rooms on the remaining 3 floors are ADA adaptable.
This is one of the great rooms, one soldier thought his quilt would look good there. (Remember this is decorating purposes only - his quilt went back to him at 17:30 pm SHARP!)
By putting it in that room tho - he got a lot of complements and comments!
Yes - thank you - I did eavesdrop *grin*
This is us with two hospital Chaplains. They were giving me a hard time - wondering where a chaplain could get a quilt or two. I told them I had NO idea.... but might work for chocolate...
These two hoodlums - um I mean soldiers - stole my camera...
Actually these guys were awesome and very fun to hang with!!
There was a band to play for us.
Guess what was played the most?
"First to Fight for the right,
and to build the nation's might,
and the Army goes rolling along......"
So each room can hold 2-4 people, and the beds are fully covered, but we thought hanging a quilt at the end of the bed would look very nice. Again - decoration - the Quilt of Valor stays with its soldier... we just wanted it to look pretty.
This is our new Chaplain! Well, I guess he is not considered *new* anymore - 90 days in now!
Don't these barracks look more homey than you would expect barracks to look? I think it is such a nice way to honor our vets!
One guy shared his QOV journal - and you can tell a man decorated this room... he put the journal on the washer.... ;-)
This one wanted to draw attention to his closet. No more living out of his duffle. But just so you know - that quilt DOES NOT live there.... decoration.......
I hope you enjoyed seeing the new location of the WTB. And where the majority of our Quilts of Valor live. Again, I just want to let you know - this was decoration. Each owner of his quilt was so tickled to show them off, and help decorate for this occasion. And the Chaplains were happy to show off what their offices were involved in.
Thanks to all of you who help cover our wounded soldiers, you are amazing, and you should seriously feel good about your efforts. Maybe not just good, but awesome!! If I were with you I would share a piece of my Dove Dark Chocolate ( and I don't share well) and tell you Thanks!!!
What a beautiful building. The quilts look fantastic. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, great sharing! I think the size of the building both demonstrates the scope of need and overwhelms my heart at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt's so very amazing what a quilt will do to a room... it becomes "home" immediately!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you are doing, Alycia!
*reaching for a tissue*
That is a fabulous facility! I agree, it's a wonderful way to honor our troops and give them a place to stay that has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Wish there were enough quilts for every soldier (Chaplains included). Working on getting that done.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tour, hugs to you for all you do for our guys. c
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for sharing all the photos. You are so lucky to be close to a base/facility where you can visit. This new barracks looks like the one my son-in-law stayed in when he was stationed at Ft. Eustis in Norfolk, VA. Glad to see more of these around the nation.
ReplyDeleteNow, I can see why your quilt pantry is empty! I am delighted to see the quilts in the rooms. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is Army too and we are stationed at Ft Bragg,NC.
ReplyDeleteHappy Veteran's Day!
What a great post. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts, and they certainly make the barracks look like home! Whoop whoop!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an uplifting post! Whoop Whoop to you for caring & sharing with our servicemen & women!
ReplyDeleteFun post :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Alycia! So glad to see some of the quilts "at home". They really do warm up the rooms.
ReplyDelete