For The Catastrophically Injured
15th Year of Volunteer Service to Community
OPERATION TOTAL RESTORATION
Gene Vance Biometrics Experimentation Center
Camp Dawson, Kingwood WV
Biometrics refers to metrics related to human characteristics. Biometrics authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance.
The Department of Defense Biometrics Task Force (redesignated as THE DEFENSE FORENSICS & BIOMETRICS AGENCY -DFBA) Gene Vance Biometrics Experimentation Center, Camp Dawson, houses the biometrics experimentation capabilities and communications vehicle and is a staging point for Tactical Network Topology Biometric Experimentation events . (click to view images)
A plaque honoring Vance's life and service hangs in the Crystal City conference center.
Deputy Director CAPT Mike Lilienthal accepted the plaque on behalf of the BTF, recognizing the sacrifice and bravery of SSgt. Vance.
Deputy Director accepts plaque commemorating SSgt. Gene Arden Vance, Jr. at building dedication. General James Hoyer presided over the ceremony.
Troops have been training at Camp Dawson since the summer of 1909, and many of the various components of active and reserve forces continue to use what has grown into a more than 4,000 acre training center today.
Gene Vance jR. day
Morgantown, West Virginia
Honoring the legacy of American soldiers who returned home from the longest ongoing war in US history, remembering the fallen and supporting the wounded
A new day in the United States of America called The "Gene Vance Jr. Day" was founded in Vance's hometown. It was created by the Gene Vance Jr. Foundation with support from officials representing the State of West Virginia, City of Morgantown, West Virginia Army National Guard, West Virginia University, business and media organizations to honor the legacy of American soldiers returning home from the longest ongoing war in US history. Framed by Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day in the United States, the day is observed annually in Morgantown on May 18.
Gene Vance jR. Foundation
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Vance’s brother in-law, Michael M. J. Minc formed the "Gene Vance Jr. Foundation for the Catastrophically Injured" in response to US soldiers returning home from the Global War on Terror with severely disfiguring injuries.
The Foundation established in Vance's honor is an all volunteer, medical humanitarian non-profit organization leading an initiative entitled Operation Total Restoration that marshals the forces of military and civilian specialists to help advance care for the war wounded and traumatically injured.
In 2011, the Naval Medical Center San Diego presented the foundation with a certificate of appreciation for their leader's unyielding volunteer dedication to the advancement of medicine and commitment to education in Vance's name that has elevated the standard of care and expanded treatment options for the community and the United States Navy during a time of armed conflict.
"Your passionate commitment to education has helped elevate the standard of care and expand treatment options within the Community and for the United States Navy during a time of Armed Conflict; serving to directly facilitate the reconstruction and rehabilitation of combat casualties sustained in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Your unyielding dedication to the advancement of Medicine is a direct reflection of your compassion towards the injured, their families, and fellow colleagues; contributing greatly to our mission accomplishment.
You have truly “Made a Difference” through your service of Compassion, Respect and Professionalism"
Department of The Navy - United States of America
SGT Gene A Vance JR FITNESS Center
Afghanistan
The US National Security Agency engraved Vance's name on the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Memorial Wall, which honors the 153 cryptologists who have given their lives in the performance of their duties since World War II.
"The Global War on Terrorism is a new war. It is unlike conventional warfare, it is asymmetrical. It requires the military to think out of the box, to think differently, to develop capability and forces that can adapt quickly to the new challenges of unexpected circumstances.
Vance's skills became vital to operations
against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists.
...his service can stand as an example to the current generation of linguists who are the key to prevailing against the terrorism and instability that threaten America.
In the conflicts that our nation now finds itself in, languages and their key role in understanding and influencing the cultures that they speak for, are essential to our national security."
1) Sam Farr, US Congressman; 2) Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, CA
Cryptography is the discipline concerned with communication security (eg, confidentiality of messages, integrity of messages, sender authentication, non-repudiation of messages, and many other related issues), regardless of the used medium such as pencil and paper or computers. A cryptologic linguist is primarily responsible for identifying foreign communications using signals equipment. Their role is crucial as the nation’s defense depends largely on information that comes from foreign languages.
A revised and expanded English hard cover translation of a French language book Sur les traces d'al-qaida (On the trail of Al Qaeda) was published by Zenith Press.
It was entitled Hunting al Qaeda and was authored by several members of 'Beast 85', the code name of a Special Forces team from the 20th Special Forces Group, which deployed to Afghanistan in May 2002 and had become involved in the incident that claimed Vance’s life...
"...America's strength is built on the quiet individual decisions of hundreds of thousands of Americans -- that America is a society worth fighting for..."
John D. Rockefeller IV
Vance's personal communications with his wife during wartime service were featured in a book by author Andrew Carroll.
Learn about “Million Letters Campaign”
