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Fort Polk officially welcomes 115th Combat Support Hospital home By ANGIE THORNE After hours editor The 115th Combat Support Hospital redeployment ceremony took place Dec. 9 at 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Field. As the doctors, nurses and medics of the CSH stood in formation on the cold, blustery day, they were officially welcomed home by Fort Polk and their commanding officers. After the uncasing of the colors, Commander of the 1st Medical Brigade, Col. Bruce McVeigh, spoke to those in attendance. “We gather to honor these brave warriors as they return home safe and sound from their year-long deployment in the Afghanistan theater of operation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,” said McVeigh. “Their medical efforts on the battlefield sustained United States and coalition forces as they took the fight to an enduring enemy, pushed to maintain stability and enabled the Afghanistan Army to stand on their own and allow other civilian leadership to form a new government that will attain success long after U.S. operations in that part of the world end,” said McVeigh. He said the CSH’s health care successes helped save thousands of lives and was a true force multiplier on a complex battlefield and liaisons with civic operations and did an outstanding job in their cooperative working engagement. “Though never easy to work with coalition forces, this unit did it with pride, professionalism and dedication saving lives,” said McVeigh. “This CSH took on a mission and had the daunting task of setting up health care in an area that a year ago had nothing. They endured tough conditions at every turn, experienced uncertainty and other challenges, but they did so with an Army Strong spirit and, in the end, made sure everyone came back home. For that, we are all truly thankful,” he said. Col. Patricia Darnauer, the CSH commander, took her place at the podium. She said it was less than two weeks ago that 115th CSH relinquished the mission of providing level one, two and three health service preventive medicine support, while also leading a medical task force more than 400 strong that spanned the southwestern and western regions of Afghanistan. “The warrior medics before you accomplished their medical mission. They treated more than 1,500 in-patients and 15,500 outpatients since the beginning of this year. This year, we created a synchronized medical delivery system supported by a functional task force headquarters that facilitated communication, ensured adherence to standards of clinical practice and provided administrative support to direct reporting units,” said Darnauer. She said she couldn’t help but be incredibly proud of the “magnificent members” of the 115th. “What an inspiring group they are. Our clinicians invested themselves in research and publication, ensuring best practices, case studies and research protocols were documented for our successors. Junior officers and the vast majority of our enlisted members pursued lofty personal and educational goals. In the course of this year, we earned multiple degrees, completed hundreds of hours of college coursework, earned three battlefield promotions to sergeant, reenlisted scores of Soldiers and completed enough education hours to validate every 68 Whiskey for his or her 2012 Emergency Medical Technician certification. The members of this team rose above any personal strife and recommitted themselves to mission accomplishment. To all members of the 115th CSH, thank you again for your steadfastness and professionalism,” said Darnauer. Darnauer then spoke directly to the 115th Families. “You were the foundation upon which our hospital and task force was built. You were our motivation during our separation.” Wendy Branconier, a 115th CSH spouse attending the ceremony, said it was awesome to have her husband home, especially for the holidays. “I feel complete again and the kids are super excited. Spending time with us is his No. 1 priority,” said Branconier. Lelia Payne, another spouse at the event, said this was her husband’s third deployment. “It’s absolutely wonderful to have him home again,” said Payne. Capt. Elvis Gonzalez, a returning 115th CSH Soldier, said that the best thing about his mission was the gratification of seeing the treatment given to Soldiers and nationals, especially the children. “People were treated equally. I’ve seen everyone from surgeons to nurses show their patients how much they cared in the course of performing their duties,” said Gonzalez. “Now that I’m home, I’m enjoying spending time with my Family and relaxing.” Guardian Dec. 16, 2011/11A
12A/ Guardian Dec. 16, 2011 Polk people With Christmas nearly here, Guardian staff asked members of the Fort Polk community, “Do you have a holiday tradition?” Here are their replies: Staff Sgt. Lloyd Terry: “The only thing we really do is have a big family get together to exchange gifts.” Spc. Delana Hefner: “Usually my Family makes Christmas cookies. Sometimes we even do holiday shapes." Spc. Alvin Gordan: “We get together to decorate the Christmas tree and hang lights.” Get started on your Robert Castillo: "My Family is Hispanic, so we do a Christmas Eve dinner and stay up until midnight to open Christmas presents. It's called Buena Noche." NEW YEARS RESOLUTION EARLY No Payments until January Join ANYTIME in December and receive your First Month Free and Free Enrollment There’s no better time... Take the first step to a healthier lifestyle with Anytime Fitness! 1772 South 5th Street • Leesville, LA 71446 (337) 239-3222 LeesvilleLA@anytimefitness.com MORE THAN 1500 CLUBS anytimefitness.com Staff Sgt. Keith Kulczyk : "Every Christmas Eve we open one present and read a Christmas story. We also decorate the tree as a Family." Jubilee Sharpe: "Eat dinner together, open presents, get stockings and decorate. It's just the whole Christmas experience."
Page 1 and 2: Guardian Fort Polk Vol. 38, No. 50
Page 3 and 4: NewScope Briefs 94th BSB CoC The 94
Page 5 and 6: Families of fallen heroes get ‘Go
Page 7 and 8: Exercise tests 1st MEBs DCRF respon
Page 9: Local bakery creates patriotic cake
Page 13 and 14: Bead Heads! Hai r & Tanning Salon T
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Page 17 and 18: Fort Polk celebrates college gradua
Page 19 and 20: Military Police participate in Arme
Page 21 and 22: BILL’S DISCOUNT FURNITURE Hwy. 17
Page 23 and 24: Fort Polk Deadline Guardian www.the
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