$1.00 per attendee can make a difference!

Make sure you present your donation to any ASHES staff or volunteers during the Welcome Reception, Marketplace, or at registration.

This year ASHES will be collecting donations from conference attendees as part of the Hearts and Hand event. All contributions will benefit:

Watch video of the program.

Purpose:

The WFSC provides coordinated services to patients, next-of-kin and extended Family members with a primary focus on Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Warriors. It provides a friendly, comfortable environment in which to take a break, watch a movie on big-screen TV's, play video games, check email or use the Internet, select a book or magazine to read, make a phone call or just grab a cup of coffee.

Wounded Warriors and their Family members visit the WFSC to maintain contact with other military members or extended Family members, to receive emotional support and answers to their questions, and to extend their rehabilitation away from the hospital. The rehabilitation involves learning to cope with war related disabilities as individuals, as couples and as Families.

Background:

As the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) continued, seriously injured Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines were evacuated from the theater of operations to major medical facilities located on military installations. Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is one of the best trauma centers and many of these Wounded Warriors receive their medical care there. Due to the seriousness of their injuries, these Wounded Warriors remain at BAMC for an extended period of time which, in many cases, can exceed 12 months.

BAMC physicians noticed a need for Family members to be intimately involved in the rehabilitation of their sons, daughters, or spouses (Wounded Warriors), and that a vital part of their recovery meant a need to have a “safe” environment away from the hospital. At the physician’s initiative, a committee was established to support Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) troops on their road to recovery. The concept of the WFSC was developed by this committee, led by ACS, and authorized by the Garrison Commander.

On 8 Dec 2003, the conference rooms on the second floor of the Powless Hall Guest House were converted to the WFSC and the doors were opened. On 8 December 2008, through the extraordinary generosity of the greater San Antonio community the doors opened to a new 12,500 square foot facility. The WFSC on Fort Sam Houston is the only one of its kind, offering a safe environment for Military Families to reconnect during medical treatment and restart their lives with the full support of the military community.