It's obvious from my recent posts that I've been missing my fiance and son and have been wanting to go home. Several of us have been very homesick lately, which is natural. People tend to lose the initial adrenaline, but fortunately for me, several things happened this week that reminded me that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
1. On Thursday I met this gentleman:
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Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff |
As the highest non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces (that means he's the highest ranking NCO in the ENTIRE U.S. military!! Holy smokes, look at those ribbons!!) his role is to advise the Chairman and Secretary of Defense. It's hard to believe that I shook hands and talked shop with him along with other select junior enlisted. He was extremely down to Earth, made jokes, and was very easy to talk to. Everyone did an amazing job presenting their area of expertise. I'm honored to be a part of this team.
My fellow loggie, SSgt Joel Valentine, and I were the last to present the overall aspects and daily tasks of what we do as deployed logisticians in an aerovac squadron. When I think back to what was said -- the astronomical dollar amount that we are responsible for, the medical support that we provide, the management of supplies, equipment, and medications that we ensure are readily available -- I realize now that I've completely undervalued my job.
Sgt Maj Battaglia's reaction totally caught me off guard. Even after hearing the other presentations about patient care, emergency procedures in flight, all of the action down range, he couldn't believe that two humble junior enlisted folks were responsible for managing what's easily perceived as nothing more than a dirty warehouse. He turned to the others and asked them them if they were as appreciative of us as he was sure we are of them. An amazing, amazing moment of a life time that I will never forget.
2. I'm still choked up about what happened today. I was alerted in the morning that the crews needed a specific piece of equipment for a NICU team flying back to the states. We had it, but unfortunately it was due for maintenance. I had to get creative, made several calls until I found one for lone from another unit. Within 20 minutes I was out on the flight line to deliver the equipment, and that's when I saw four medical buses filled with patients waiting to be loaded onto the aircraft that would soon fly to Andrews AFB where they can receive the critical care that they need.
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| Image from usatoday.com |
I have always heard stories. As a loggie I don't work with patients, which is why today was another amazing day I will never forget. As I ran up to the aircraft, individuals were being carried on liters, attached to various pieces of equipment... equipment that the loggies manage. My heart sank, I felt out of breath, and my eyes watered. I couldn't cut in line, so I waited as an entire bus was unloaded. I was in complete awe of the commands being given, the stellar team work, and most of all the positive attitudes of the patients despite their condition. One patient, I was able to read his lips through all the noise of the craft and wind... He said 'thank you' to one of the airman carrying his liter...
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| Image from afscent.af.mil |
I could've cried my eyes out, right then and there, but one of the Majors snapped me out of it and told me I had forgotten one of the pieces to secure the equipment. And I sure did too. I drove back to the unit, came back in 3 minutes flat, and watched another load until I was able to walk onto the plane with my most special delivery.
3. The day couldn't have gotten any better until... Bedbugs. Yes, bedbugs. My neighbor reported having them in her bed, which meant an entire section of our building had to be sprayed and evacuated, and of course, my room was in that section. I was instructed to move all of my things tonight to a different building far away from all of aerovac personnel. I was upset for a quick second, but after a day like today and yesterday I decided not to make a big deal about it and that things can always be worse. Well, it most definitely wasn't worse. I was given a fantastic room. That's all I will say about that lol.
I feel silly for ever feeling sorry for myself out here. Again and again, I've been given the most outrageous opportunities. I've traveled through nearly 10 countries. I've eaten escargot cooked three different ways and schnitzel 500 different ways. I've hiked up to a castle. I've lit candles and prayed in the most historic and beautiful cathedrals. I've looked Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo in the eyes. I've seen the Eiffel tower in the morning, noon, and night. I've ridden a river boat in Amsterdam and in Prague. I've walked the same spring water piped streets that Queen Latifah walked on. I was engaged on a bridge of love in Paris. I have amazing friends who I would literally lay my life for. Through technology I can check on my son and find out he is loving first grade so far. I've met the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, JCS. I work with heroes. And to think, I have only six weeks left to enjoy these opportunities. When I get home, I'm sure I'll find myself wishing I was in any of these said places.
I say I'm blessed all the time, but often times I don't act like it. I tell myself to give praise even when times are hard. We should ESPECIALLY when times are hard. Because I'm learning that it's not the happy ones who are thankful; it's the thankful ones who are happy. In any situation. Exactly where they are. 