Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, spends time with...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Senior leaders from the Pennsylvania National Guard visited injured Soldiers undergoing medical treatment at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia Oct. 23.
The contingent, led by Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, spent time with some of the more than 20 Pa. Guard Soldiers with varying injuries sustained while serving our nation in the WTU where they are treated and healed.
“It is important for our leaders to stay connected with our service members wherever they are: at training, during exercises, while on deployment, and especially at the WTU for those who were injured during their service,” said Carrelli.
Pennsylvania’s senior leaders spent time with their fellow Guardsmen, checked on their progress and well-being, and enjoyed a pizza lunch with them. The WTU at Fort Belvoir is one of 14 in the nation where Soldiers can recover from medical issues. Many are Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers returning from deployments.
“By personally visiting these Soldiers, we can see firsthand how they are doing and specifically address any support issues they may have encountered during their treatment. It’s also an outstanding opportunity to remind them that Pennsylvania is proud of their service and grateful for their families’ sacrifice defending our freedom,” added Carrelli.
A WTU is designed to ensure that healing is the first priority for injured soldiers and provides high-quality living conditions, prevents unnecessary procedural delays, and facilitates their physical, mental and spiritual healing process.
“I like to come down and check on our Soldiers, pray with them if I have the opportunity, and be a listening ear. When I don’t have senior staff with me they tend to be a little more open about their struggles,” said Chaplain Lt. Col. Schaun Myers, state support chaplain, who acts as an informal liaison between WTU Soldiers and Guard leadership.
Regular visits are a great way to let WTU Soldiers, who often have injuries that prevent driving, know someone in Pennsylvania is concerned about them according to Myers.
“The fact that we can send our senior leaders down here and show some love is encouraging for the Soldiers. In the Pennsylvania Guard from the top down we’re a big family and we care for each other,” he added.
According to Sgt. Maj. Theresa Morton, chief medical NCO at Fort Indiantown Gap, who is currently in recovery from back surgery following an injury, the worst thing about being in the WTU is not being able to drive or go home which is a blow to her independence.
“They try to make sure you’re staying active and engaged, so they have resources here and we’re required to do 150 hours of activity,” said Morton.
The WTU has a range of activities for recovering Soldiers to engage in that accommodate all levels of physical ability and help build camaraderie while the treatments, which can take months, run their course.
“I was happy to have the opportunity to come down and talk with them and see how they’re doing and how they’re being taken care of,” said Carrelli.
Other senior leaders on the visit included: Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Buchanan III, Pennsylvania’s senior enlisted advisor; Maj. Gen. Timothy Hilty, assistant adjutant general; Brig. Gen. Mark Schindler, deputy adjutant general, Army; Brig. Gen. Mark McCormack; and Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dale Bevans.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Lt. Col. Keith Hickox (717) 861-6254, or e-mail ng.pa.paarng.list.pao@mail.mil
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2019 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 349070 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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