Community Corner
JBLM's Warrior Transition Battalion Teams With Habitat For Humanity
This past week, the soldiers and volunteers with the local organization built homes in South Tacoma for low-income residents. Working and contributing their skills is key to the soldiers' recovery, Army officials say.
In 2011, leukemia prevented Sgt. Fred Prince from doing his duty.
The soldier underwent chemotherapy, and the treatments drained away the muscle mass he needed to serve.
Recovery, as well as regaining his fitness, was difficult: “Everything I had, I had to build back up,” he said.
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The Army eventually transferred him to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Prince enrolled in the sports programs to get back in shape, and with the battalion's support, he has gone sailing, fishing, horseback riding and more.
And you can add construction to his active lifestyle.
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This past week, Prince was one of several WTB soldiers who volunteered to help build homes in South Tacoma.
JBLM's Warrior Transition Battalion and volunteers from Habitat for Humanity labored over three days building houses for low-income families. The build is part of the annual partnership both groups have enjoyed the past four years.
The Warrior Transition Battalion is one of 29 such units created in the Army since 2007 to provide medical care and support to wounded, ill or injured soldiers.
Suzanne Ovel, public affairs specialist of the Warrior Transition Battalion, said the unit's primary mission is to “help soldiers heal” and prepare them for returning to either the military or civilian life.
Most of the JBLM soldiers get actual medical treatment at Madigan Army Medical Center, but the Warrior Transition Battalion encourages the soldiers to go to the appointments and take treatment.
The program provides transportation to medical appointments and provides support to the soldiers' families. Soldiers in the battalion meet to discuss and design plans for their transition, dividing long-term goals into three month increments.
Ovel said the partnership with Habitat for Humanity gives the soldiers something to contribute to society while they recover, and that sense of accomplishment is key.
“We look forward to this build every year,” said Sue Potter, Director of Development and Communication for the Tacoma/Pierce County branch of Habitat for Humanity.
She also said Habitat for Humanity is glad for the chance to bond with and support the soldiers while they recover.
“They work really hard all day long, and have fun doing it,” she said.