For some of those working on the National Intrepid Center of Excellence on the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center campus, the job is more than a job—it’s personal. The 72,000-square-foot center, funded privately by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, is the first to focus on the research, diagnosis and treatment of military personnel suffering from brain injury and psychological health issues. It is scheduled to open next summer.

Rendering courtesy of Smith Group

National Intrepid Center of Excellence Location: 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD Roofing: Installed a Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane roof. Commonly referred as TPO, this rubber-like material can be recycled. General Contractor: Turner Construction

“When a soldier has his brain damaged in combat, there’s not a lot of great research on how to fix the brain, so to speak, so this building is dedicated to figuring out how to fix soldiers’ brains,” said David Wysong, project manager for Turner Construction Co., the general contactor.

For Wysong, Chuck Wagner and many of the others leading this project, the job is personal, as well as professional. Some of the subcontractors have made personal commitments to helping wounded veterans in other areas of their lives and feel indebted to these American heroes; others have personal relationships with wounded veterans. And individuals in each of these companies have given a lot of heart, soul and sweat to make this project come together in half the time it would have taken for a similar government-funded job.

“Everyone associated with the project has given a little bit—donated some money or time,” Wysong said. “Turner is making an in-kind donation in that we didn’t price this as a commercial job. All of the subs are in the same mode, helping us provide for the soldiers, giving us their best prices and then some.” The budget for the project is $70 million, but Wysong said it would be significantly more than that if all the donated services were registered.

The facility will be noticeably different than traditional military medical facilities—starting with glass walls and an open design. Wagner Roofing installed a 20-year TPO Cool Roof system, which has helped the building in becoming LEED-certified.

As Wysong explained, a portion of the building is dedicated to looking inside soldiers’ bodies with equipment such as MRIs. Another part will be dedicated to physical research, where they may, for example, put a soldier on a piece of equipment called a Solo Step to evaluate how he or she walks. One machine, called the CAREN (computerized rehabilitation system) is a 180-degree domed space that will allow patients to exercise muscles and relearn skills. The center will operate as an out-patient facility, and patients will work with their primary care facility to map a plan of diagnosis and recovery.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund continues an effort begun in 1982 by Intrepid Foundation founders Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. Between 1982 and 1999 the Fishers made contributions to the families of hundreds of military personnel lost in performance of their duty. Zachary’s nephews, Arnold, Richard and Tony, have since taken over the mission. The family also started a separate organization, the Fisher House Foundation, in 1990, to house families of hospitalized military personnel. Three Fisher Houses will be built to complement the Intrepid Center. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund was started in 2000 under the auspices of the Intrepid Museum Foundation and established as an independent nonprofit in 2003. The fund has provided nearly $75 million to support the families of U.S. military personnel lost in service and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans.

“It’s rare in today’s climate that people do the kinds of things the Fisher family has done,” Wysong said. “They’re completely altruistic.”

To donate, please visit www.fallenheroesfund.org.