CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION, S.D. – Vivid green prairie grasslands starkly contrast with tan gravel roads that sprawl across 5,000 square miles that make up the fourth-largest Indian reservation in the U.S.
Colorful rooftops cover houses settled quaintly next to the Cheyenne River Health Center. A traditional Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe mural depicting Native American braves on horseback wearing customary garb is displayed in the main entrance.
Tradition and pride whisper through the halls.
The Colorado Army National Guard’s 928th Area Support Medical Company had the opportunity to walk these halls while participating in Golden Coyote Exercise June 9 through June 16.
First Sgt. Mark Vasquez said as part of their annual training, the domestic operation allowed Soldiers to provide basic medical, dental and ancillary care to over 160 local Native Americans, here and at surrounding satellite clinics.
Vasquez said Soldiers were able to address health issues ranging from dental care to diabetes awareness and treatment.
“Our X-ray technicians were the busiest of our group and had the most interesting patients,” Vasquez said. “They not only shot X-rays, but also performed (in conjunction with Indian Health Services medical personnel) some MRIs and ultrasounds. There were many opportunities for our medics to learn something new.”
Spc. Aaron Tyler, an X-ray technician for the 928th Area Support Medical Company, said he was able to work with ultrasound technicians for the first time in his medical career while at the health clinic. He said he’ll never forget the experience and impact it has made on his life seeing the human body through the ultrasound.
“I was able to see a beating heart of a fetus at six weeks,” Tyler said. “Being able to see life at such a beginning stage was special and the most memorable part of the training for me.”
Soldiers received a broad spectrum of training ranging from medical treatments to nutrition. They also had the opportunity to be part of an impromptu menu-building task for the Cheyenne River Youth Project, a center for youth and families that encourages healthy choices and life practices.
Soldiers’ civilian skills were also incorporated into helping the community members of Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
Sgt. Peter Hecker, a combat medic for the 928th ASMC, who also works on building food literacy programs for children, said he was able to bring his civilian skills into play while working with 1st Lt. Matt Elden, a dietician for the 928th ASMC and Spc. Rachel Beverlin, a fellow combat medic, who is going to school to become a dietician.
Hecker said the teen center presented them a menu and asked what they could do to make the menu healthier. They wanted to avoid processed and refined foods and make meals as natural as they could. By incorporating what was local to the reservation and the community, the Soldiers were able to bring a fresh perspective to the menu.
“Seeing the 928th Soldiers is incredibly impressive and just shows the testimony of the value of the National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Dana M. Capozzella, commander of the Colorado Army National Guard. “You never know when you are going to need to draw on your civilian skills, as well.”
Vasquez said it was gratifying to see Soldiers treating and caring for members of the community.
“This is what many of our Guard Soldiers enlisted for and they look forward to these opportunities,” he said.
Spc. Elizabeth Schenk, a combat medic for the 928th ASMC, said she will never forget the experience of being immersed in a different cultural within the borders of the U.S. She said having the opportunity to participate in a sweat-lodge ceremony and meet D-Day veteran Chief David Bald Eagle, a 95-year-old Airborne veteran who jumped into Normandy during World War II, was humbling.
“A lot of the locals were very receptive in explaining what their culture is,” Schenk said. “As a female, where it is not typical of their culture to be in ceremonies such as a sweat lodge, they invited us in as Soldiers.”
“Meeting Chief Bald Eagle was an awesome experience,” Vasquez said. “Being Airborne (myself) I have a high respect for Chief David Bald Eagle as a person and a former Airborne Soldier. He is the last of many great men who sacrificed so much and are still alive to share it with us. We sat with him for a couple of hours and listened to him speak about his experience in World War II and here at home.”
Vasquez said the cohesion among the tribe and Soldiers created a more meaningful experience; and reaching out to a community who are not always able to have the opportunity to receive care readily proved an incredible training event.
“I feel honored and humbled to see how much everyone cares for the community and getting treatment to those who don't always have access,” Schenk said.
“To see the Soldiers in action never once complaining and being grateful for the opportunity to support the Cheyenne River Indian Community was more than I could ask for,” Vasquez said. “They truly made this the best annual training event I have been to in a long time. I look forward to doing it again with the Soldiers of the 928th. This is a great group of Soldiers."
Capozzella said it’s crucial for Soldiers to have the opportunity to train in these types of settings and maintain their medical skills, since approximately 80 percent of COARNG Soldiers are traditional Guardsmen who wear their uniforms one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2015 13:29 |
| Story ID: | 153948 |
| Location: | CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Medical team gets a cultural experience while supporting communities, by Kristin Stoneback, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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