Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sarah McClanahan | Service members participating in Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) gather books to...... read more read more
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BARLOW, KY. (June 22, 2019) - The success of a mission sometimes depends on the cooperation between groups of people working together towards the same goal. The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation Tri-State Innovative Readiness Training 2019 mission is no exception. The goal of the DAEOC Tri-State IRT is to train military members while providing crucial, no-cost medical, dental and optometry services to the local community.
Active duty, National Guard and reserve Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers who are participating in this mission have provided and received tremendous support from the citizens of Barlow, Ky. and surrounding communities throughout the duration of this mission which began on June 12.
“In order for us to successfully serve the community we have to be able to take care of our members and we couldn’t have done that without our community partners,” said Navy Cdr. Deborah Collins, commander Expeditionary Medical Facility Great Lakes One, Chicago, Ill. “Although the community is bringing us patients, we also need them to get the mission done.”
On a recent evening after the clinic doors were closed an Airman suffered an ankle injury that would require him to use crutches for a few days. After stopping at a few stores with no luck finding crutches, the Airman and his co-workers called the Daystar Community Program for one last shot at finding what they needed.
After walking through the doors they were greeted by Sherry Miller, mother of a Navy SEAL, and supporter of the U.S. military. Miller is an advocate for the citizens of Cairo, Ill., where she is the director of the Daystar Community Program, a program she has been affiliated with for 29 years.
“I’m willing to help anyone if I can, if it is within reason and there is a need,” said Miller.
When Mrs. Miller was informed who the group was and what the group was looking for she didn’t hesitate when pulling out four sets of crutches. The Airman picked out a pair and Mrs. Miller donated them without question. This act of donation ensured that the mission could continue with minimal delay and the Airman would be back serving the Barlow community.
Mrs. Miller spoke about the roots of her generosity and her penchant for charity.
“When I was a child, my grandfather and my parents were always helping people and I served as a candy striper in the hospital,” explained Miller. “When I was a child my family had rental properties and always gave back to the people they rented to whether it was buying ice cream on Sunday or giving the children a quarter.”
The act of giving back to the community, here, for military members is more than providing medical, dental and optometry care.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Emily McWilliams, client systems technician assigned to the 181st Intelligence Wing, Terre Haute, Ind., spearheaded a book drive at the temporary health clinic in Barlow that raised money to buy books for Cairo Junior/High School in Cairo, Illinois.
“We were able to purchase 61 books for Cairo and donate them to the library,” explained McWilliams.
“I think it’s really important to give books to the kids in Cairo because if they don’t have any resources how are they supposed to learn,” said McWilliams. “I think it is really good for us to get out in the community and make an impact other than the medical impact we are making.”
The act of giving back is one that could have lasting benefits to everyone involved and most definitely keeps the mission, whatever it may be, moving in a positive direction.
“When we come back the community will hopefully remember the impacts we have made on these communities,” said McWillams.
DAEOC Tri-State IRT 2019 is a joint service medical exercise that provides real-world training to service members and dental, medical and optometry services to members of the community.
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2019 17:27 |
| Story ID: | 328806 |
| Location: | BARLOW, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Military and Community Come Together to Support IRT, by MSgt Christopher Schepers, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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