Theater hospital wall preserves memory, sacrifice
by Maj. April Conway
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
3/24/2010 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) -- The 20-by 30-foot flag thousands of patients have passed under on their way to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad often is photographed in military circles. But lesser known, though no less poignant, are the walls of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility's recreation room.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of messages have been scrawled on the walls by patients passing through Joint Base Balad on their way to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
From all parts of Iraq and with every imaginable injury, patients spend anywhere from a few hours to a few days here awaiting aeromedical transportation.
The messages, some inked in shaky handwriting, offer thanks to the CASF staff, remembrances of fallen comrades and prayers for the future. The walls are such a historical part of Operation Iraqi Freedom that they're set to be photographically preserved and submitted to the National Museum of Health and Medicine or the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Some planners even have their sights set for a Smithsonian Institute museum.
"Museums are places we visit to learn about history and about human development," said Lt. Col. Connie Day, the chief nurse of the CASF. "These walls offer a snapshot in time that will reflect both in the years to come."
A person could spend hours reading the many notes, such as "R.I.P. PFC Harley Andrews, 11 Sept 06 Ramadi, Sappers in TF Dagger" and "A Co, 1/14th, 25th ID, Angels of Mercy."
More than 23,000 patients have passed through the CASF in just the last three years. The facility started in tents, but in late 2006 was built into a hardened shelter, and leaving messages on the walls began as part of a cathartic process, Colonel Day said.
"As mother of four, it seemed odd at first to hand over markers and say, 'Go ahead. Write on the walls,' but when you take a minute to read, you can feel the pain of people living with loss," Colonel Day said.
Planners are in talks with several museum entities and while the ultimate fate of the walls and their reflection on the history of a war is undecided, the CASF remains an oddly eloquent memorial at Joint Base Balad.
"I truly believe that you'll never truly lead anybody, until you learn to serve. And you'll never truly serve anybody, until you learn there's something more important than yourself."
- Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch, US Army, Vietnam.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany -- Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community gave a few hours of their time to bring just a bit of home to families staying at the Fisher House at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, March 20. Volunteers from the KMC 5/6 organization, along with other units, provided meals from their own kitchens to the families and patients staying at the Fisher House.
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The volunteers unloaded their delivery one after another. The kitchen of the Fisher House soon became filled with an assortment of dishes and desserts. The meals consisted from a whole roast to the most simple, yet heartfelt, tray of cookies.
"The variety of food is really amazing. There's something here for everybody," said Karen Williams-Clarkson from Fairbanks, Alaska. "There's even something for my grandson."
FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- An Army Ranger has died from wounds he received in a conflict in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joel David Clarkson, 23, was seriously wounded in a fierce engagement with a heavily armed enemy force in the Farah Province on March 13. He was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany where he died on March 16.
Clarkson served with served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
He was on his fifth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.
"Sgt. Clarkson was the epitome of the Ranger Team Leader -- he cared deeply for his men, always led from the front, and was at his best when the situation was the most dire," said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. "He is a hero to our Nation, the Army, and his Family."
According to the Army, the Rangers ultimately killed eight enemy fighters during that battle, destroyed their base of operations along with weapons and ammunition, and captured a key leader of the terrorist network, according to official military reports.
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Clarkson is survived by his wife, Cassandra and their son, Orion of Norfolk, Va.; his parents, Steve and Karen Clarkson of Fairbanks, Ala.; and his older sister, Jessica.
It’s also easy to just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Taliban have no rules of engagement (ROE) and they certainly have no regard for life, no matter how young, innocent or precious. The young girl above (approximately 8 years old) and the young boy below (approximately 6 years old) were playing near coalition soldiers that were dismounted in a local village just outside FOB Shank, Logar Province. Someone in the village tossed a grenade over the mud wall sending grenade fragments into these young children.
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The 909th FST, along with the “Charlie Med” team of the 173rd will hold on to these children until they have completely recovered. There is nowhere else for them to go and get this level of medical care.
The letter sat on the dresser for four years.
Robert Gilbert never opened it. He only touched the envelope when he needed to dust around it. He wanted to give it back to his son unopened.
Every time his Marine son was deployed, his son would ask, "You still got my letter?"
His dad never wanted to read what was inside an envelope marked: "Dad, open this if I am wounded. Love, Robert."
The call to open it came March 8.
"Is Robert Gilbert there?" a voice from Marine headquarters in Quantico, Va., said.
"Junior or Senior?" Robert said.
"Senior."
The father felt his stomach drop even before he heard the words: "Your son has been injured in Afghanistan."
When he heard his son received "possibly a mortal wound," he sat on the bed, opened the yellow envelope and pulled out four handwritten pages of spiral notebook paper.
I'm sorry if you're reading this . . .
This week I was interviewed by CNN about the anniversary of the war in Iraq. I was asked a question that is one of the most often asked questions - Was Iraq Worth It. My response was to share this youtube video clip from a trip to DC a few years ago when I was asked without preparation or warning to speak:
Sometimes it just isn't easy getting civilians onboard with simplest of means to honor our fallen and giving survivors even a little ground to remain connected to the soldier they lost. Georgia Bill HB 1012 would amend original legislation I helped with in 2006, and is introduced in our State Legislature by my good friend Billy Horne. Horne called me today and not sure what has happened, but what seemed a no brainer seems to have hit a snag. The bill only allows for the children, sibilings and parents by marriage (step-parents) to also purchase the speciality license plate to honor their family member killed in action. It also would allow the existing family members who can get the tag for free to purchase additional tags if they own more than one vehicle - spouse, mother, father.
The bill is revenue neutral at worst, and actually will bring more money into the state treasury. Yet, today, Rep. Tom Rice, Chairman of the Motor Vehicle Committee House Representatives, allowed other tag legislation to pass on through but did not bring this for consideration. It has sat idle in his committee since February 1. I am extremely concerned about this seemingly lack of concern, or at best laid back approach to honoring the fallen from Georgia, especially our Georgia National Guardsmen and their families. The following link has Rep. Rice's contact info:
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/riceTom/riceTom.htm
You know, I was willing to give a son for Iraq, and America. I have never questioned whether Iraq or America was worth it. I haven't blamed anyone or been bitter. But today, hearing this news, it is very hard for me to control my feelings of whether or not some people get it, especially those who would have to do virtually nothing at no cost to give our Georgia Fallen and their entire family full access to a license plate that identifies us as family of the fallen. At present, the spouse, mother and father get one free. The children, siblings, and parents by marriage are banned altogether. If Mike were here, he would say this "you want me and some of my guys to go have a talk with them dad?" Thing is, I would have to say no because talking is not what would be on his mind when it came to someone messing with his family.
Sorry so long winded, but I just needed to get it off my chest. If you would like to help, make a call to Rep. Rice at the Capitol in Atlanta and ask him to get HB 1012 passed out of his committee, then push it through Rules and then vote for it on the House Floor. I'd consider it a great favor and be in your debt.
Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG
"Countless people are alive, both in the United States and overseas, because of the courage and heroism of the servicemembers being honored at this ceremony."
- Dr. Charles L. Rice, Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Dropping from 10,000ft, they glide in order to land unnoticed. The dogs often carry cameras and are trained to attack anyone carrying a weapon.
“Dogs don’t perceive height difference, so that doesn’t worry them. They’re more likely to be bothered by the roar of the engines, but once we’re on the way down, that doesn’t matter and they just enjoy the view,” said the dog handler. “It’s something he does a lot. He has a much cooler head than most recruits.”
Commandos from 14 countries, including British special forces and Royal Marines, took part in the Nato exercise. The use of dogs in High Altitude High Opening missions was pioneered by America’s Delta Force, which trained the animals to breathe through oxygen masks during the jump.
He’s had several surgeries for his injuries, but Brownlee knows it could have been much worse. The bomber detonated his device in the doorway of a building where the soldiers were staying — had he made it a few feet farther into the building, Brownlee believes the damage would have been greater, maybe fatal.
Brownlee suspects the bomber was startled by barking dogs the soldiers had taken in — an eyewitness reported one of the dogs was biting at the man’s ankles — as well the presence of Sgt. 1st Class Gary Ware, who was walking down the hallway as the bomber entered.
“He may not have expected that. I guess he just freaked out and detonated early,” Brownlee said. “If he had been another 4 or 5 feet inside, it would have done some serious damage.”
Brownlee had just hung up from a phone conversation with his wife and settled in for the night when he heard the explosion that blew through the steel reinforced door to his room. He looked down to see a piece of metal sticking out of his foot.
“I put my boots on, and that hurt like crap, to put boots on over metal that was stuck in bone,” he said.
Initially, the soldiers thought it was a mortar attack. Once they realized it was a suicide bomber, they went into gear to prepare for another attack. Brownlee said suicide bombings often precede a larger attack.
At that point, Brownlee said adrenaline had taken over and though he knew he was injured, he could hardly feel the pain.
“My whole focus was, ‘We’re getting attacked. I’m not going to be in the medical center if we’re getting attacked. I can still move. I’m still in the fight,’” he said.
Another attack never came; it was time to assess the damage. There were six casualties and only one fatality — one of the stray dogs who had first spotted the bomber. Another dog was wounded but is on the mend.
Ware and Brownlee were the most seriously injured. Ware was hit by shrapnel in the eye and in the heart. Incredibly, he survived and is recovering.
Brownlee was hit in the foot, upper thigh and neck. A photo of his wound looks like a small crater — the gash in his thigh was about 4 inches long, 2 inches wide and half an inch deep.
Last weekend while my wife and I were returning from a quick shopping trip we saw some flashing lights on the other side of the freeway. Not from a police car or a fire truck. The flashing lights were from large "Am Buses" transporting our wounded warriors to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Navy Medical Center at Bethesda.
Soldiers’ Angels Exhibit Documents Military Heroes and Homefront Patriots
SAN ANTONIO, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Troop support powerhouse Soldiers' Angels is celebrating the grand opening of its first permanent, Angel-managed facility in support of America's service members, wounded, veterans, and their families with what is expected to be the largest exhibit on the war on terrorism since 2003, as seen through the eyes of America's heroes and those who support them.
"Salute to Heroes and Angels" is an exhibit spotlighting America's military men and women who continue to serve in wartime, and the homefront patriots who help ensure they are loved and supported. Framed by 9-foot canvas murals, the installation includes interactive video screens, photos, letters from the troops, stories of fallen heroes, highlights of the dozens of Soldiers' Angels teams and projects, plaques and certificates documenting the organization's impact, and opportunities for visitors to record their own stories on video, join Soldiers' Angels, or request support for a service member or veteran.
Housed in the new Soldiers' Angels permanent facility across the freeway from Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, "Salute to Heroes and Angels" is the first of many events to be hosted in the organization's 3100 square feet of multipurpose space. Co-located with the Soldiers' Angels warehouse and shipping center run by veterans, the space will be used for exhibitions, meetings, concerts, book signings and a developing music therapy program with "Voices of a Grateful Nation."
"Salute to Heroes and Angels" is the centerpiece of a weekend of celebration for nonprofit Soldiers' Angels in San Antonio, including a black tie reception on Friday evening, a barbecue for the wounded and their families at Brooke Army Medical Center Fisher House on Saturday afternoon, and a party at the new shipping facility Saturday night. Throughout the weekend, guests, donors and visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Heroes and Angels exhibit and participate in packing activities at the shipping facility (call 626-529-5114 for more information).
For more about Soldiers' Angels, visit www.soldiersangels.org.
"There is much talk about everything that is wrong with the youth of today. Martin Kinggett however exemplified everything that is right about the young people of Great Britain."
- Platoon Sergeant Jimmy Houston, 3 Platoon, A Company, 4 Rifles.
A soldier was shot dead after making himself a target for Taliban gunmen so his comrades could evacuate a seriously wounded colleague.
Rifleman Martin Kinggett, of A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, selflessly drew fire so members of his patrol could deal with the casualty.
But the 19-year-old was killed by an enemy bullet during the battle near Sangin, Helmand, on Thursday.
Last night his comrades said there was 'no doubt' he had saved lives.
Rfl Kinggett was praised as loyal and enthusiastic, and senior officers said he had found 'his calling' in Afghanistan, becoming 'a rock' to his colleagues.
His family described the teenager, from Dagenham, Essex, as 'a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and boyfriend' and said he was 'our hero'.
Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, commanding officer 4th Battalion The Rifles, said: 'It is typical of him that he fell giving covering fire while his comrades extracted a seriously injured friend in contact.
'His family who he loved so openly and talked of so frequently will be devastated at his loss, but will take great pride that he fell as he had lived, helping his friends.'
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer 3 Rifles Battle Group said: 'Brave as a lion and selfless until the end, he fell to enemy fire while protecting the evacuation of a wounded comrade shot minutes before.'
Captain Ben Shuttleworth, second in command of A Company, said: 'In his final moments, Rifleman Kinggett placed himself in the view of the enemy so that he could return fire as the remainder of his team attempted to evacuate a wounded friend.'
Corporal Brett Campbell, section commander of 3 Platoon A Company, said: 'He showed a great deal of courage and selfless commitment when the patrol was hit, by exposing himself under fire and suppressing the enemy firing points whilst the rest of the section was dealing with the casualty. His action no doubt saved his fellow rifleman in the section.'