Fort Knox to open long-term rehabilitation center

LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Fort Knox is taking a big step forward this week to help wounded soldiers.

Wednesday afternoon, military officials cut the ribbon on the Warrior Transition Battalion. It will house soldiers who are recovering from injuries or illnesses."

"I got injured in '08," says Sgt. Austin Westerman.

Sgt. Westerman was wounded by enemy fire in Afghanistan.

"I caught scrap metal in my arm, my knee...had traumatic brain injury."

Sgt. Westerman is one of more than 2-hundred soldiers who will move into the new Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Knox.

Lt. Col. Dwight Lewis is commander of the Warrior Transition Battalion. He says, "What we do is we transition them here, meaning that they come and do their health recovery plan."

The complex is equipped to care for the soldiers for up to six months if needed.

"And then after they finish with their transition from the plan then we transition them back home to their hometown if they are reserve or guard or back to the unit if they're active duty," says Lt. Col. Lewis.

The building is named in honor of Sgt. Major William Sumner. Sgt. Major Sumner served in three wars from 1939 to 1969.

Meanwhile, the new complex will be home to more than just Kentucky soldiers.

Lt. Col. Lewis says, "This area here covers a 7 state area."

"You don't realize how much help you really do need so it's very necessary for these people to back you up," says Sgt. Westerman.

Sgt. Westerman is already being treated for the scrap metal that's still in his left arm, but he also likes that his new home offers easy access to everything else he needs.

"I got a case manager, I got the hospital right across the street, we got a bus that can take us right there," says Sgt. Westerman.@

Construction on the Battalion is scheduled to be finished by the end of the month and that's when soldiers will move in.