Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Attended the “Heroes of Military Medicine Awards at the Mellon Auditorium on 13th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. I was present because Lt. Col. Nelson Michael (my old friend) was receiving one of the awards and I had been part of the video that was shown at the event that honored him. Nice affair. Inspiring keynote address by Admiral William H. McRaven, Commander of United States Special Operations Command (the group – Seal Team 6 that got Osama bin Laden). Other awardees besides Nelson were USAF Lt. Col. Raymond Fang – Trauma surgeon with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke by video since he is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Also Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Darrel L. Enos – 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion who received it posthumously – killed in action. Entire evening very moving. Special awards to Marine Staff Sergeant Johnny Joseph (Joey) Jones who got his legs blown off while trying to dismantle and IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I was in tears after his speech. Also talks by Gen. Jack Keane (USAretired), Gen. James Amos (USMC). Special Award to Gen Joseph F. Dunford (USMC), Commander of Forces in Afghanistan who spoke in video from Afghanistan. General Amos introduced him. Gen. James Peake, Former US Army Surgeon General and currently Sec. of Department of Veteran Affairs received a special award. He fought as a combat platoon leader in Viet Nam and was highly decorated with Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device and Purple Heart. After war, went to Cornell Medical School, became a cardiac surgeon – quite a guy. I have known him for years. Mistress of Ceremonies was Jennifer Griffin of FOX News Channel. When she called out “notables” in the audience, she mentioned my name. I was embarrassed to be called out together with General McRaven, Amos, Peake and others. The evening made me proud to be an American.