Soldier gets purple heart
Sgt. Lyle Dillie
EAMC public affairs office
Fort Gordon, GA "The Signal"
Another Soldier was recognized May 19 for giving part of his being to the nation.
Spc. Dave Orlandini received the Purple Heart Award from Lt. Gen. David Melcher, deputy chief of staff, G-8, Lt. Gen. Joseph Yakovac, military deputy/director, Army Acquisition Corps, and Brig. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, commanding general of the Southeast Regional Medical Command, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, and chief of the Army Medical Corps.
“It is an award that is well earned when one is wounded,” remarked Schoomaker, “but it’s not anything someone goes after.”
“Soldiers who give a part of themselves in service to the country are doing among the most important duties and services to the nation,” he said.
Orlandini, a 91W health care specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 278th Brigade Combat Team, deployed in November 2004. On March 20, he was traveling in a convoy from Forward Operation Base Speicher, Iraq, when his Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck was hit by an improvised explosive device. Orlandini received a blast injury to his left ankle, yet continued to medically assist his fellow Soldiers. One of his friends didn’t make it as a result of the explosion.
“It is an honor and humbling just to be a part of a ceremony like this,” said Melcher, “We are so thankful, that we are able to recognize a Soldier that has served in such a distinguished manner.”
Injured troops make DC pilgrimage
Sgt. Lyle Dillie
EAMC public affairs office
Fort Gordon, GA "The Signal"
A group of Soldiers made a pilgrimage of sorts recently, designed to heal their souls while their wounds also healed.
From June 7 to 9, the Army Chief of Chaplain Office and Eisenhower Army Medical Center Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care sponsored a trip to Washington, D.C., for nine Soldiers injured in Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
“This program is a designated offering that is supported by Army Chaplains worldwide,” said Chaplain (Col.) Mark Fritch, chief of DMPC and Southeast Regional Command Chaplain, “to support wounded Soldiers from Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.”
“The purpose is also so Soldiers can find comfort for healing through the outpouring of faith given by the Chaplain community,” he said. Chaplain (Capt.) Steve Munson and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brad Fipps organized the trip. Early on June 7, the chaplains and Soldiers left for Washington.
The next morning they arrived at Arlington National Cemetery to pay respect for the fallen and learn how their fellow Soldiers are honored. Lori Calvillo, Arlington National Cemetery public affairs office, prepared a personal tour through Arlington with Tom Stoppard, Arlington’s historian.
Stoppard took the group down the road from the main building to a small spot at Arlington to show where their fallen comrades are buried.
“In these three rows there are 141 now, with eight or nine more scheduled,” he explained, “right now there is about 10 percent from the Global War on Terrorism buried here. The other 90 percent choose to go back where they are from, where their family is at.”
After witnessing the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the group got a glimpse inside the guard station. There Staff Sgt. Angel Espanda, relief commander, 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Old Guard, showed the group tricks to get the uniform to look nice and the procedures for guarding the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Moving on, they went to see the “Faces of the Fallen” exhibit being showcased at Women in Military Service for America Memorial. More than 1,300 artistic portraits were on display honoring servicemembers who have died in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Many of the Soldiers on the trip recognized and gave stories about individual Soldiers in the portraits.
After touring Arlington, the Soldiers dined at a restaurant across from the Capitol. The restaurant was filled with prominent businessmen, dignitaries, congressmen and senators.
Congressman Mike Rodgers (Mich.) and Congressman Dan Boren (Okla.) noticed the Soldiers’ arrival, and came over to thank them for their service and sacrifice. They asked if the group needed any help to make their stay in Washington special. Rodgers invited the Soldier to his office and arranged a personal tour of the Capitol Building.
Bypassing all the lines in the Capitol, Lauren Battaglia, an intern for Rodgers, gave them a tour of the historic building. The tour ended with a spectacular view of Washington from the office of the Speaker of the House, where Rodgers rejoined the group.
Asked why he was so excited to help ensure the group was taken care of during the trip, he replied, “These Soldiers are part of a long line of Americans who have made sacrifices to protect the freedom of our great democracy. Giving them a tour of the nation’s Capitol building is one small way to express the gratitude of America, and an opportunity to let them see democracy at work.
“It is my hope that when these brave men walk the halls once walked by our founding fathers, they will know that their sacrifices are recognized and never forgotten by this nation,” he said.
At the end of the tour the Soldiers were given a chance to meet their congressmen from their home state. The Soldiers enjoyed the trip to the nation’s capital.
“Experiencing our nation’s capital on my own would have taken years,” said one Soldier, “It was worth every moment we spent, just seeing history.”