Center for the Intrepid

A crowd of more than 3,000 broke into loud applause that ran for several minutes Monday as wounded veterans at Brooke Army Medical Center were introduced at the opening for the Center for the Intrepid.

The emotional outpouring began after the ceremony outside the 65,000 square-foot, $50 million rehabilitation facility began just before noon.

Television personality Rosie O'Donnell met with wounded troops prior to the ceremony.

"I'm humbled by the whole experience," she said. "It's humbling to be in their presence."

Asked if the soldiers discussed the war O'Donnell said "Today is not about politics or the war."

Bill White, President of the Intrepid Foundation, kicked off the ceremonies from the dais next to Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain.

Before the ceremony, McCain said more facilities like this would be needed.

"The government should do whatever is necessary, but I also think it's very appropriate that the American people make contributions, and all of us are very touched by that," McCain said of the privately-funded project.

"I'm not going to get into some sort of controversy today, my friend, over what should be funded by the government or not. I'm sorry but that's not what I'm here for," McCain said.

McCain did take issue with Clinton's assertion that Bush should withdraw all troops before end of his term.

"We need to accomplish the mission,"Americans would support an open-ended commitment, one perhaps running 5-10 more years if we can show success."

Author: Sig Christenson