Ft. Benning hospital b'day present: $350 M

Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning. (Courtesy) President George Bush on Monday granted $350 million dollars for a new army hospital in southwest Georgia, as the facility it will replace commemorates its 50th anniversary. The funds for Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning are part of an emergency Iraq War funding bill. Hospital Director Colonel Harry Warren says the center plans to open a traumatic brain injury clinic for wounded soldiers:

"In fact, we already have funding before the new hospital for an outpatient clinic along these lines, actually, next month."

Army officials say repairs are being made to the present facility, which is beset with rusty plumbing, an underpowered electrical system and a leaky roof. The hospital serves the region, and will continue functioning until the new, 500,000 million dollar facility is built over the next four-to-five years.

Rep. Sanford Bishop, 2nd Cong. Dist. (in suit), Maj. Gen. Walter Wojdakowski, and Martin Army Community Hospital officials wield ceremonial swords to cut a 50th birthday cake. (Dave Bender)

An influx of some 30,000 troops, families and dependents is expected when the Army's Armor School at Fort Knox moves down to Fort Benning as a part of the Base Realignment and Closure program (BRAC).

Click here for more GPB News coverage of events at Fort Benning, and here for more on the BRAC plan.

House ok's Fort Benning hospital funding bill

Martin Army Community Hospital (Courtesy)

Fort Benning's aging Martin Army Community Hospital will be rebuilt to the tune of $350 million, if a vote approved by the House last week passes a Senate vote and is signed into law by President George Bush.

Army officials say the facility suffers from significant infrastructure problems, among them a corroded plumbing system, an overtaxed electrical system and a decaying roof.

A hospital spokesperson says they want to build a traumatic brain injury clinic, for troops wounded in battle.

Officials say a new facility would serve some 100,000 soldiers and dependents in coming years, as part of the national Base Realignment and Closure program.

The bill also includes funding for medical facilities at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kansas.

The bill now faces a Senate vote.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of events at Fort Benning, and here for more on the BRAC plan.