EMDG Airmen�Integral To Medal Ceremony
(January 10, 2011) |
|
|
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (1/4/2011) --
Working as gently as they could, Airmen
of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group
intensive care and in-patient care unit,
helped ready two injured soldiers for a
Purple Heart ceremony, Jan. 4.
Airmen at the Air Force Theater Hospital who provide
emergency care to stabilize and prepare servicemembers injured in the U.S.
Central Commands area of responsibility for future medical
attention take pride in what they do.
"All members
in the intensive care and in-patient care unit play a part
in the response to trauma in the facility and 'rise to
whatever and whenever the occasion' to treat wounded
warriors," said Maj. Charlotte Knight, 332nd EMDG intensive
care unit and in-patient care ward flight commander who is
deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
|
|
Senior Airman Greg Rodgers, left, 332nd
Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron
medical technician, visits recent Purple Heart
recipient U.S. Army Cpl. Paul Vanlinder, Charlie
Company 1-21 Infantry Battalion, Jan. 4, 2011.
The Fulton, N.Y., native was admitted to the
intensive care unit here after being involved in
an improvised explosive device attack near Abu
Sayada, Iraq. Rodgers is a native of Little
Rock, Ark., and is deployed from Lackland Air
Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff
Sgt. Keyonna Fennell) |
U.S.
Army Lt. Col. Robert Forte, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade,
25th Infantry Division deputy commander, presented the
Purple Hearts to 1st Lt. Corey Bunch, a Brooklyn, N.Y.,
native, and Cpl. Paul Vanlinder, a Fulton, N.Y., native. The
soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry
Regiment, were injured just days earlier in an improvised
explosive device attack.
"I am incredibly honored
(to present the medals)," Forte said. "They risk their lives
every day to do the missions required of them and are the
very best America has to offer."
The two soldiers
were on their way to train members of the 20th Iraqi army
brigade when they were attacked near the city of Abu Sayada,
45 miles northeast of Baghdad. Forte, a Clifton Va., native,
was grateful for the care his Soldiers received from
hospital medical staff.
"The Air Force's care for our
Army patients has been transparent ... it was smooth and no
issues occurred," he said. "Our guys are getting good care."
Airman 1st Class Anastacia Barela, 332nd Expeditionary
Medical Operation Squadron aerospace medicine technician who
is deployed from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., provided care
for the two Soldiers and was glad she could contribute.
"I hate seeing our service members get hurt this way, so
we make sure they are comfortable and can call their family
or unit as much as possible," the Clovis, N.M., native said.
"I'm proud of them, and it's an honor to not only witness,
but be part of the ceremony."
Knight, a native of
Florien, La., helped to stabilize the Soldiers' condition to
prepare them for the event and was happy to see the two
receive their medal.
"I actually responded and
provided primary care to one of the members yesterday,"
Knight, also an Adjutant to Brook Army Medical Center, said.
"It makes me proud to witness them being recognized for
their ultimate service to our country." |
|
By USAF Sr. Airman Tong Duong
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article |
|
