Fort Hood Brave Remembered with Memorial

Hall of Remembrance Opens at Fort Hood | Thank You For Your Service

By Joy Pariante
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 – The survivor outreach services center here officially opened the Hall of Remembrance Jan. 11 to honor all those affiliated with Fort Hood and surrounding Texas communities who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.

Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, looks at the pictures hanging in the Hall of Remembrance honoring those who paid the ultimate price. The hall was officially opened to the public Jan. 11, 2010, and honors the fallen with a Central Texas or Fort Hood affiliation. U.S. Army photo

A private opening, featuring the photos of fallen heroes displayed across a wall, was held Dec. 22, with 189 family members of the fallen in attendance.

The first opening, with a roll call of all the servicemembers on the wall, was for honoring and healing, officials said. The public opening, they explained, was to promote awareness of the survivor outreach services program -- known as SOS -- and to acknowledge the community’s support in making both the hall and SOS headquarters possible, said Janeth Lopez, SOS program manager.

“This is the result of a commitment to keep a promise,” said Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood. He quoted from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which explains that promise: “‘Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.’”

SOS provides surviving families with a connection to their Army family for as long as they want it and with whatever support they need, Lopez said. This includes programs such as financial counseling, support groups and grief camps for children. SOS staff members also make phone calls to families, send cards and publish newsletters to keep family members connected. They also reassure them that they’re remembered and will be cared for, Lopez said.