Press Releases

January 13, 2011 - On Tuesday, Congressman Steve Womack participated in a tour of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Row after row of selfless soldiers, who’ve served their country without reservation, makes for an eye opening afternoon as the congressman points out.

“It was a very moving experience and illustrates the true cost of freedom. To observe the tremendous hardship that has been inflicted on America’s brightest is truly heart breaking, yet at the same time, seeing them demonstrate a sense of pride is refreshing to the soul. That is part of the genius of America.” 

“Anytime you take this country’s freedoms and opportunities for granted, one stroll down the wounded warrior’s ward at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will fix that. It was an opportunity that I wish all of my constituents could have experienced. It’s a sobering reminder of what it takes to live in a free country like we do.”

During Congressman Womack’s time on the WRAMC campus, he met a young soldier, 25-year-old Specialist from Alpena, Arkansas, David Bixler. SPC Bixler was seriously injured in an explosion while serving his country in Afghanistan.

SPC Bixler was assigned to the 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division when he was wounded.  He’s married to Stephanie Bixler and they have a young daughter, Elaine.

According to the congressman, it is soldiers like SPC Bixler who keep our country not only safe and secure but above all, free.

“Here’s a young man who was just doing his job - looking out for the welfare of his fellow soldiers - when he was terribly injured in an explosion, not unlike many of his fellow soldiers and marines who were similarly victimized by enemy combatants. Their stories depict the cost of freedom. Their recoveries credit our nation’s resiliency.

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