Photo By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster | Spc. Adam Schweitzer and Spc. Vanessa Trinidad, patient escorts with C Company/205th...... read more read more
Medical care is a necessity for the local nationals around Logistical Support Area Anaconda.
Soldiers with the C Company, 205th Area Support Medical Battalion, escort patients from entry control points on the LSA to the hospital where they receive care.
"I was excited when I found out my job was going to be patient transport," said Spc. Vanessa Trinidad, a dental technician with the 205th. "I see children that have been injured because of car explosions and you realize that it is happening right outside the gate to children, women, and Iraqi soldiers."
Trinidad deployed with the 205th under the impression she was going to be doing dental technician work or act as a combat lifesaver. She didn't know until she arrived at Anaconda that she would be escorting patients.
Spc. Amber Lunt, a member of the 205th for approximately four years, was originally in supply. When she arrived in Iraq, she was assigned to do patient administration, but became an escort because she was interested in seeing another side of the job.
"We've brought in a lot of children to receive medical care and it's always rewarding when we see how grateful the parents are," Trinidad said. "One of the emergency teams brought in a child who was run over by a vehicle. When he finally made it out of the hospital, we had to bring in the parents to pick up the child. They were so happy and the mother hugged us."
The language barrier doesn't stop the Iraqi people from expressing their gratitude.
"The children, when they get happy, they will communicate something to their mother to translate to us, either I love you or thank you," Lunt said.
"The kids and the adults, when they thank us, it gives me a better idea of what we are doing here," Lunt said.
Although the patient escorts don't provide emergency medical care, they are the direct link to the patients. The escorts are the face of the Army the Iraqis see on the way to the hospital.
The escorts try to give the children little things to make their stay more comfortable, something as small as a blanket can make them happy.
Escorts work with interpreters at the gates to help Iraqis find missing loved ones or help them to get the care that they are looking for. In extreme cases the team is ready to provide care if the situation demands it.
"This has made me want to change my job in the military. It makes me want to become a medic because I want to treat people," Trinidad said. "I see how grateful they are to the people transporting them and it's really rewarding but I would like to switch my MOS (military occupational specialty) and do more."
Lunt explained that doing a job like this puts life into perspective. She said that some people take life for granted, but seeing the local nationals made her appreciate the things she has.
"The hospital receives donations, so we give the kids gifts," Lunt said. "We are winning hearts and minds."
The patient escorts have found something redeeming in their work. Capt. Dennis McWherter, a platoon leader with C Co., said his people love what they do.
"I see how much our unit has come together to help everyone. Whether it's the Soldiers or the Iraqi citizens it gives us a reason for being here," Lunt said.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2006 07:39 |
| Story ID: | 5358 |
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| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 16 |
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