Warrior Transition

American Legion Post 162 supports WTU

By Andrew Sharbel
Staff writer
Ft Belvoir Eagle

After retiring from active duty, Lt. Col. Charles Voccio, and his wife, Helen, have devoted a lot of time to planning activities, benefits and other events for wounded Soldiers and their families.

As members of American Legion Post162 of Lorton, Va., Voccio has successfully introduced a Wounded Warrior Program to show Fort Belvoir's wounded Soldiers and their families how much the community appreciates all they do.

Since July, each month Warrior in Transition Unit Soldiers and their families from Fort Belvoir have been treated to brunch at a local restaurant.

The Voccios began working with wounded Soldiers about four years ago. Then, they traveled to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit them. But, due to the distance, they were unable to make it up there as much as they wanted.

Voccio said they were able to continue their work when Belvoir started its Warrior in Transition Unit. "We started this program when the Warrior in Transition Unit came here to Fort Belvoir to see what we could do for the Soldiers and their families in the local community," Voccio said. "So, my wife and I established a little program to solicit restaurants in the local area to provide meals and we pick up the tab.

"The area has been very cooperative. On Sunday, we had brunch at the Fireside Grill (in Lorton, Va.) and were able to have 16 Soldiers and their families attend," Voccio said. Voccio added that many restaurants in the Lorton area have been very accommodating and have been essential to the success of the program. Some of these are Vinny's Grill and Pizzeria, Glory Days Grill, Fireside Grill, Domino's and Papa John's.

"We are currently negotiating with Pane e Vino as well," Voccio said. "We try to have each restaurant hold a function once a month to keep the burden on them light," Voccio said. "So far each of these restaurants has been fantastic."
Voccio points out the main goal of the program is to show the community's gratitude for each Soldier's service.
"Unfortunately, we are unable to offer them three-day fishing trips or give them big electronic devices, but we can provide them with love and a great deal of respect from the local community." Voccio said. "So far, it is working."

The Belvoir Soldiers and Family Assistance Center has been extremely happy with the program and its effect on the WTU. "It is an outstanding program," SFAC Human Resources Coordinator Tim Grayson said. "We push it with the Soldiers, because people like Chuck and Helen want to show you that other people in the community want to give back and understand the sacrifices these Soldiers have made."

Family Center Assists Soldiers in Warrior Transition Unit

By Julia LeDoux

Special Correspondent

Ft Belvoir Eagle

Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit at DeWitt Army Community Hospital (Ft Belvoir , VA) will soon be able to make a single stop at the Solider and Family Assistance Center to get the services they or their families need.

The mission of the center is to provide tailored, compassionate and coordinated social services to warriors in transition, retirees and family members, explained Timothy Grayson, a human resources specialist for Fort Belvoir's SFAC.

"We're here to service the Soldiers who are in the Warrior Transition Unit at DeWitt," he said. "This is basically a new program just coming on."

There are currently 42 wounded warriors in DeWitt's WTU, but that number is expected to grow to around 100, Grayson said.

Both Grayson and SFAC director Robin Johnson were hired last fall. Grayson said the center is currently bringing on board a social worker, guidance counselor and an information referral specialist.

"We can function right now, right here where we're at," he stressed from his office in Bldg. 210 on 21st Street. "Any problems that a Soldier may have right now come to me and the director. We're here to assist the Soldier and their family. That's our main thing." '

The center and its staff move to Sosa Community Center in July.

"By December, well have an additional wing built on [Sosa] just for the SFAC," Grayson said. "When a Soldier arrives to in-process, he won't have to go anywhere else. We're not a one-stop shop yet, but that's what we're going to be."

Through the center, Soldiers and their families can obtain support services including family services, money management, child care, budgeting, chaplain's assistance, legal assistance, military personnel issues, logistics, transportation, installation access, benefits counseling, education, employment opportunities, information and referral and more.

"We are a liaison between the Soldiers and the services that are provided by the Army," explained Grayson. "When a Soldier comes to me with a problem, they will not have to go to these different agencies. It's my job to give them a priority appointment so the Soldier does not have to wait."

Grayson can also contact outside agencies such as the Veterans Administration and Veterans of Foreign Wars post on behalf of a WTU Soldier.

"I break it down to find out what the need of the Solider is, whether it is urgent at this time or whether it's some information they are looking for. Once I find out what the WTU Soldier needs, it's my job to resolve that issue," he explained.

Grayson said Army leaders recognized the need for immediate services in one central location for family members and Soldiers for administrative services without travel or having to locate the service.

"The only thing the SFAC does not get involved in is medical issues. That is done by the hospital and the unit they're in," he said.

The SFAC at Sosa will also include a computer center, a lounge, and child care, added Grayson.

"If a Soldier belongs to the WTU, that Soldier's spouse and children have the right to come over here and receive services just like the Soldier," added Grayson, who is a 21-year Army veteran himself.

For more information, call Grayson at 703-805-4409.