Courtesy Photo | Capt. Dennison Segui and Bravo Company medics evacuate a casualty.... read more read more
By Sgt. Ashley Voss
2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Div.
BAGHDAD -- At the blink of an eye, I became the mom. It is a role that was intrinsic, though I have no children of my own. I heard myself reminding them to wear ear plugs, and to drink enough water. I laughed inside as I asked if they had packed enough socks or instructed them on what dosage of medication to take for their illness. I listened to their frustrations and fears and attempted to remain strong. My heart hurt as their hearts hurt.
The most surprising of emotions was worry. Each time a soldier left the gate, I worried. I slept less there than I have ever in my life. Every bump in the night jolted my heart to a state of awareness that took an hour to recover from. It was an emotion that seemed ridiculous as those Soldiers are some the most capable, and bravest men I have ever known. They are a fantastically trained force, unbelievable in their ability to endure, sustain and overcome.
They are the soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, and for one month I had the privilege of being one of their medics. I was the lone female at Forward Operation Base Yusifiyah, Iraq; a situation that made some unnecessarily concerned as I can assure you that I was treated with the utmost respect.
Upon arrival in Yusifiyah, I was given the tour, which included a walk around the facility which was once allegedly a potato factory. The entire camp spanned the area of approximately two football fields. One half of the area is occupied by Iraqi army soldiers while the other is occupied by Bravo Company. The soldiers of Bravo run a vigorous rotation of guarding a variety of established check points, patrolling and securing the gates.
The aide station that was my home is nothing short of a miracle. Since their arrival in October, the Physician's Assistant and medics who run the aid station had seen ninety-four trauma patients by the time of my departure in mid-January. These patients included US Soldiers as well as Iraqi Army Soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Their injuries were generally due to shrapnel from mortars or IED explosions, with most casualties evacuated to obtain surgical treatment once stabilized.
Based on the number of personnel and equipment available, it is amazing that this medical team has had the success that they have. They are a truly gifted group of people and it was an honor to work with them. There are memories that I never want to forget and those that I can't forget, regardless of my effort to try. There are images that become a part of a person's eyelids; traumatic injuries of soldiers, 15-year-old detainees found with equipment to build explosives and children victims to improvised explosive devices, set up by their neighbors, intended for Soldiers.
The men of Bravo Company have seen more tragedy than a person should have to see in a lifetime. They have lost fellow soldiers, they have risked their lives to save others and each day they continue. They attend a memorial, wipe their tears, and the next day they head out on patrol or to pull guard at another check point. They are the epitome of the American Soldier. They are the source of my pride in the Army. They are heroes.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2006 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 5335 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 518 |
| Downloads: | 309 |
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