Senator Tours Walter Reed Rehab Facility, Visits With Travis Woods’ Family

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Barrasso presented a Wyoming-made purple-heart quilt on Monday evening to U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Woods. Woods is a Wyoming wounded warrior currently recovering from injuries at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC.

 

Woods was critically injured after a bomb went off under his truck during a convoy in Afghanistan on Jan. 15, 2007.

 

“Sergeant Woods is a living hero,” Barrasso said. “His perseverance through these tough times is a testament to the strength of his character. I pray for his continued recovery.”

 

The quilts were made by the Purple Heart Quilters of Casper. The hand-stitched purple quilts were blessed at a service at the Shepherd of the Hills Church in Casper on Oct. 21.

 

Barrasso attended the church service in Casper and said he would deliver the quilts to our wounded warriors at Walter Reed, including this first one to Woods, a former resident of Guernsey, Wyoming.

 

“The service was a very moving experience, and I am honored to have been part of it,” Barrasso added. “Our wounded warriors have given so much of themselves for our great nation.”

 

Woods has undergone 75 different surgeries since he was injured in January. Woods and his wife, Stephanie, visited with the senator for about 30 minutes. The Army sergeant recounted his near-death experience for Senator Barrasso and explained the extent of his injuries.

 

Senator Barrasso also took a tour of a brand new rehabilitation facility at Walter Reed Medical Center called the Military Advanced Training Center (MATC). The 31,000 square foot facility offers cutting edge rehabilitation services to our nation’s injured warriors.

 

“The Advanced Training Center is an incredible addition to the existing Walter Reed facility. It will go a long way toward getting our military leaders back to a healthy life. Even further, it will revolutionize how patients are rehabilitated after losing a limb, improving their quality of life.”

 

The $10 million center houses 15 specialties, including physicians, nurse care managers, therapists, psychologists, social workers, benefits counselors, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs representatives. It opened its doors on Sept. 13, 2007.