Blog Post

Walter Reed Closes After A Century of Service
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on July 27 2011

Today, after 102 years in service to our nation's wounded warriors, Walter Reed Army Medical Center held a closing ceremony as the military prepares to move hundreds of patients to new and refurbished facilities in Maryland and Virginia. Since September 11th, Walter Reed has treated more than 18,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Next month, Walter Reed’s hospital operations will transition to the National Naval Medical Center and to a new facility at Fort Belvoir. IAVA issued the following statement marking the end of an era at the historic hospital:

"For more than a century, Walter Reed Army Medical Center has helped our nation's wounded warriors and their families put their lives back together after war. The staff there have been providing critical care to recently wounded veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, treating over 18,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines after their life-changing injuries. IAVA salutes the service and dedication that the service members, doctors and caregivers at Walter Reed have provided to our community. With the transition to Bethesda, it's all the more imperative that our nation's leaders ensure that continuity and quality of care for these men and women is not interrupted. IAVA will continue to talk with our national membership to ensure that the transition runs as smoothly as possible."

IAVA's Senior Policy Advisor Todd Bowers, a Purple Heart veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, had the opportunity to represent IAVA's more than 100,000 members at the closing ceremony today in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, Todd spoke to CNN about the unique role that the doctors, service members and caregivers at Walter Reed have played over the past decade in the lives of the thousands of wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? Join the conversation about Walter Reed closing and share your own experiences at the hospital with fellow veterans inside Community of Veterans.

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