Photo By 2nd Lt. Jenna Lenski | Volunteers with the Salvation Army distribute water and Popsicles to participants of...... read more read more
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VOLK FIELD, Wis. – Various entities worked diligently together to provide moral support during training on disaster relief efforts at the Patriot 2014 exercise July 22-24 at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis.
The Red Cross, Salvation Army and military chaplain corps were among those entities that provided simulated disaster responses during the exercise. They were also responsible for the real-world mission of keeping participants of the exercise well hydrated and in high morale despite the heat and exhaustion.
“Keeping a person in good spirits, keeping them happy and focused keeps them in the fight,” said Capt. Joseph Friedman, a chaplain with the 164th Airlift Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard.
Friedman said that his primary mission as a chaplain in this exercise is to take care of his troops by ensuring that they are physically and mentally able to rotate back into the fight. Donned with a pouch of lollipops attached to his web belt, Friedman was focused on building relationships with his Airmen before the disaster portion of the exercise commenced.
“The calming role that a chaplain can have allows the entire operation to proceed much more efficiently. You’ve now taken what could have been a real disruption out of the way by calming them down,” he said.
The Salvation Army was close to the action as well. While there, they passed out water, juice pouches and Popsicles to the participants in an effort to keep them hydrated and happy. Throughout the duration of the exercise, the Salvation Army provides support during the disaster simulation, while working closely with the Red Cross.
Terri Leece, the Disaster Services Director of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Division of the Salvation Army said, “It’s good for the volunteers to see the different scenarios that they could respond to and how that coordination works. This also gives them a better understanding of what the military does, and you guys will also have a better understanding of what we can do”
Adding to the support of the military exercise was the Red Cross, whose mission is to provide disaster relief at home and abroad. In a tent next to the expeditionary medical support area set up by the military, the Red Cross will train by providing medical attention, supplies, sustenance and moral support.
This is the first time that the Salvation Army and the Red Cross will fully exercise their assets and capabilities to help support the training of the Soldiers and Airmen at the National Guard’s Patriot 2014 exercise.
“In a real-world situation, we would all be working together anyhow. So, if we can train together, that makes it even better,” said Leece.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2014 19:28 |
| Story ID: | 136939 |
| Location: | VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WI, US |
| Hometown: | LA CROSSE, WI, US |
| Hometown: | MEMPHIS, TN, US |
| Hometown: | MILWAUKEE, WI, US |
| Hometown: | TOMAH, WI, US |
| Hometown: | VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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