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EOD Sailor Awarded Purple Heart
(April 24, 2011) | 
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April 19, 2011 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Todd E. Hammond shows his Purple Heart medal to his two-year-old daughter as his wife looks on. Hammond was presented the medal for wounds received in action while serving in Afghanistan. |
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BETHESDA, Md. (NNS - 4/21/2011) -- An explosive ordnance disposal
(EOD) Sailor was awarded a Purple Heart medal during a ceremony
aboard National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Md., April
19.
Rear Adm. Frank A. Morneau, deputy director for
Expeditionary Warfare Division (N85B), presented the Purple Heart to
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Todd E. Hammond, in
recognition of injuries he sustained while serving in Afghanistan.
"The selflessness of this wounded warrior and what he has done
for this country will never be lost or forgotten," said Morneau. "We
know that you are going to continue to serve with the brilliance,
the professionalism, the valor, and fidelity which has distinguished
your service to our country."
During the ceremony, Hammond
was joined by his wife, Christine, their two-year-old daughter,
Samantha, and his mother, Janet. Additional relatives and members of
his EOD family also attended the event.
Hammond was wounded
April 6, by an improvised explosive device. He sustained injuries
that required the amputation of his right leg below the knee and
severely injured his left leg.
Hammond spoke about the
outpour of support he has received since his injury.
"Most
people would think that losing a limb wound be a horrible
experience, but in some weird way it actually has been one of the
greatest experiences of my life," Hammond said. |
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Hammond is enrolled in Navy Safe Harbor, the Navy and Coast Guard's
wounded warrior support program, which provides non-medical care to
seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families.
"Navigating the waters of recovery following a serious illness or
injury often is overwhelming for a service member and his or her
caregivers," said Chief Master-at-Arms Master Douglas Garner, a surge
team member of the Navy Safe Harbor program at NNMC. "Questions about
pay and benefits, travel orders for family members, and employability
muddy the waters of the recovery process; and while providing bedside
care for their loved-ones, families often don't have the resources or
time to manage these concerns. Navy Safe Harbor helps wounded warriors
focus on getting well while we strive to handle whatever accompanying
non-medical issues may arise."
Hammond said he is anxious to
return to his unit.
"I wish more than anything I could be back in
Afghanistan right now with my team doing what I am supposed to be doing
instead of sitting here," said Hammond, who has served his country for
16 years.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration
being awarded. Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, it was
designed by Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution.
Initially, it was only awarded to soldiers serving in the Army.
Eventually, President John F. Kennedy extended the medal to cover all
service members in all future wars. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan
extended eligibility to service members wounded or killed by
international terrorists' attacks. | |
Article and photo by Zona T. Lewis
Navy Safe Harbor Public Affairs
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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