31st CSH shares war experiences with students

MAJ. DEANNA BAGUE
5035th Military Police Detachment

PHOTOS BY MAJ. DEANNA BAGUE
Spc. Shaun Erickson, administrative specialist, 31st CSH, shows Morehead Middle School seventh grade students Jasmine Alba (left) and Sarah Paiz a banner from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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Students at Morehead Middle School had the opportunity to hear how several Soldiers from the 31st Combat Support Hospital overcame several challenges during their one-year deployment in Iraq.

“You face many challenges during deployment including fear, loneliness and stress. I have been through hard times in my life, but this was the first time that I experienced the real fear of not knowing what was going to happen or if everyone I knew and loved would be safe. You never knew when a mortar might come in or when you would get a flood of casualties,” said 21-year-old Spc. Erin West, a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment A Company, 31st CSH.

Linda Tavizon, a reading teacher at Morehead, wanted her seventh grade students to make several comparisons between the main character in the book, “The Red Badge of Courage” and present day Soldiers.
“‘The Red Badge of Courage’ takes place during the Civil War and the main character is a Union Soldier. The themes of this story are courage and overcoming fears. It was rewarding to see the students explore the comparison between today’s modern Soldier and a Union Soldier during the Civil War,” said Tavizon.

Students agreed that being away from family and loved ones seemed to be the toughest challenge for deployed Soldiers serving overseas.

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Spc. Lindsey Chavis, operating room specialist, 31st CSH, listens to questions posed by Morehead Middle School seventh grade student Joshua Breshears.

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“I learned that it isn’t easy being in the Army with all the confusion and lifestyles Soldiers face. It must be so very hard being away from their families. I mean, it’s not easy trying to schedule a phone call to mom, dad, friends or siblings,” said seventh grader, Crystalyn Leta.

The Soldiers were able to effectively convey that despite the difficult moments they encountered in Iraq, saving lives was very rewarding.

Sgt. Arlethe Rios, a 20-year-old medic, who shared her point of view about her deployment said, “Another major challenge was becoming neutral to what was going on around me. I worked in the emergency room so I had to see all the U.S. Soldiers come in wounded or dead. It was hard to turn right around and treat the Iraqis that had hurt the Soldiers.”

“Soldiers not only fight in battles, but also work in medical sections,” said seventh grade student David Forti.
“Henry (the main character in ‘The Red Badge of Courage’) had a lot of fear and so did the Soldiers. But working in a hospital decreased their fear where as Henry experienced only battles,” said Forti.

Some students became influenced by the heroism and patriotism of these Soldiers.

“Listening to the Soldiers’ experiences in Iraq made me think that someday maybe I would join the Army,” said seventh grader Nicole Medina. “Saving lives is one of the best things you can do in your life. I really look up to Soldiers who went to Iraq.”