This one's made of the right stuff

Meet Army Sgt. Jennifer Watson:

The emergency-room trauma call and the medical staff's immediate action upon his arrival is only a memory to her now; sitting quietly at the bedside of her brother-in-arms, she carefully takes his hand, thanking him for his service and promising she will not leave his side.
He is a critically injured combat casualty, and she is Army Sgt. Jennifer Watson of the Casualty Liaison Team here.

Although a somber scene, it is not an uncommon one for the Peru, Ind., native, who in addition to her primary duties throughout the last 14 months, has taken it upon herself to ensure no U.S. casualty passes away alone. Holding each of their hands, she sits with them until the end, no matter the day or the hour.

"It's unfortunate that their families can't be here," said Watson, who is deployed here from Fort Campbell, Ky. "So I took it upon myself to step up and be that family while they are here. No one asked me to do it; I just did what I felt was right in my heart. I want them to know they are heroes.

"I feel just because they are passing away does not mean they cannot hear and feel someone around them," she continued. "I talk to them, thanking them for what they have done, telling them they are a hero, they will never be forgotten, and I explain my job to them to help them be at ease knowing the family will be told the truth."

...

Not surprisingly, Watson's dedication to duty and her hard work have not gone unnoticed. She has touched the lives of all those who she has come in contact with, to include the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group commander, Col. Mark Mavity.

"Sgt. Watson's story is one of the most compelling here in the Med Group," said Mavity. "She is a Soldier's Soldier who combines an unparalleled level of compassion and commitment to our most grievously wounded warriors with amazing professionalism each and every day.

"What is truly incredible is that she is a personnelist by training but with the heart of a medic who has taken it upon herself to hold the hand and keep a bedside vigil with every mortally wounded Soldier who has spent their last hours within the AFTH," continued the colonel. "She will not let her brave brothers or sisters pass alone. This is a heavy burden to bear and at great personal emotional cost to Sgt. Watson, but she is unwavering in her final commitment to these Soldiers. You don't have to look any further than Sgt. Watson to find a true hero."

I suggest you pass this one on to friends, families and anyone else.

That's an order.

With much appreciation to ConfederateYankee.

Comments

[Mommynator]

Make sure to read this with a box of tissues at hand. Or two.

[chuck aka XtnYoda]

The Biblical "Feast of Trumpets" started on the first day of the seventh month. It is on that day of a baby's development in the womb of it's mother that the ears are opened... or if you will, the baby can actually hear.

Hearing is the first of the five senses to be operative... it is also the last sense to be operative as one dies.

I always explain this to families as their loved one dies... "Speak to them, tell them how much you love them... they can hear you."

"God... bless Army Sgt. Jennifer Watson's heart... on second thought... you have blessed her heart... so... God... thanks for letting us see how you have blessed this one."

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

Aye, aye Sir!

Done.

This is the type of humanity, compassion and honor that our enemies cannot understand, always underestimate and is no small reason why we are able to win any war that we commit to fully.

Thank You Sgt. Watson for your service.