Photo By Douglas Stutz | Gone But Never Forgotten...Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class James Treece, Individual...... read more read more
On a sweltering summer day in volatile Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman, then an deployed emergency physician, met Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long, attached to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.
Two days later, Bitterman saw Gallinger-Long again.
For the last time.
The 19-year old from Cornelius, Ore. was killed in action in the Marjah District of Helmand on August 11, 2011.
His name is one of 57 etched on Naval Hospital Bremerton’s (NHB) ‘Hospital Corps Heroes' Wall of Honor’ that was the site of the command’s solemn Memorial Day remembrance ceremony on May 24, 2019.
“I met Gallinger-Long at Camp Bastion,” related Bitterman, NHB commanding officer, “he was an impressive young man and outstanding Hospitalman.”
The British-run Camp Bastion was co-located with Camp Leatherneck and the site of the Joint Operating Base Camp Bastion Role 3 hospital. A typical day in the emergency room had those on duty handling multiple life, limb, and/or eyesight threatening trauma cases.
Bitterman noted that the 97 percent casualty survival rate of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan along with Operation Iraqi Freedom, although an unprecedented high mark, did come at the tragic cost of those like Gallinger-Long killed in the line of duty.
“It’s those two-three percent who didn’t make it back that keep you up at night. It’s fitting that we are here in his memory and all of the others here on this wall. Our heart goes out to all who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and way of life,” added Bitterman.
NHB’s ‘Hospital Corps Heroes' Wall of Honor’ was unveiled on May 22, 2015, and represents the names of those United States Navy hospital corpsmen killed from the battlefields of Iraq to the firefights in Afghanistan. The etched names like Gallinger-Long range from age 19 to the oldest at age 37.
“We’re here to remember the fallen and to recognize their service. NHB is unique in having one of the very few hospital corpsmen memorials in the entire world. It’s a tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters, a lasting memory for all eternity,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Cameron Wink, master of ceremony for the remembrance.
The wall was a culmination of a fledgling idea by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Michael Nakamura and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Derrick Ward, joining other hallowed displays at NHB for hospital corpsmen who have received the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and those listed Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA).
Wink explained what is now known as Memorial Day was initially established as Decoration Day after the Civil War for family and friends to visit and adorn the graves of those lost in that conflict (1861-1865).
“As time went on, the observation became known as Memorial Day. In 1971, Congress declared it an official holiday set to fall annually on the last Monday in May,” said Wink, encouraging all those in attendance to place a poppy or flower on the memorial.
Memorial Day provides America the unique opportunity to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The list is long.
- 291,557 combat deaths in World War II
- 212,938 deaths in our American Civil War
- 53,402 deaths in World War I
- 47,355 deaths in the Vietnam War
- 33,746 deaths in the Korean War
- 8,000 deaths in the Revolutionary War
- Well over 6,900 fatalities since Sept. 11, 2001, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Freedom Sentinel, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
“Remember the wise words of Gen. George Patton who said, ‘it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God such men lived,” concluded Wink.
| Date Taken: | 05.24.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2019 16:51 |
| Story ID: | 324020 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 213 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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