Comments for Words fail me

Words fail me

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:01:54 -0600

Here's a soldier, who, when her time comes, will be piped into Heaven by a huge side party. I know, I'm mixing Army and Navy images there. I think I just met a future commander of Guardian Angel Command - or ANGCOM as it's known at Castle Argghhh! H/t, Miss Ladybug.JOINT BASE BALAD — 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....

Comment from SSG Carleo, Sean on 2009-07-17

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:38:44 -0600

I have served at Joint Base Balad twice within 2years! This is a great story, and my heart goes out to all of our wounded heroes!!! To Sgt. Watson you truely are an Angel! I have been in that Hospital many times during both of my tours, and have volunteered there as well! You are doing a great job and just wanted to let you know that someone here in the states appreciates all that you and everyone in the Medical dept. does!!!! I will be headed back in 2010 for an escort mission...so if I have to go while over there.....I wouldn't want anyone else to hold my hand!!!!
God Bless!

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-07-16

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:32:07 -0600

Ma Sands - I chose to highlight the positive, rather than shine a light on the possibly negative.

Instead, I'm doing that journalist thing - asking some questions before I go there.

Comment from Ma Sands on 2009-07-16

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:42:29 -0600

She IS a sweet lady.....but --and I did study the article and the comments carefully before commenting -- is there not something far more needful than leaving this earth with no human companion? Did not chaplains who know this, used to be the ones who were "there" for those soldiers.....?--wondering in grief

Comment from Cricket on 2009-07-16

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:31:31 -0600

I don't think she will end up with a massive case of PTSD. As tragic and horrific as battefield conditions are, I think death is the point where heaven and earth meet and transcend the cares and burdens of this world. For this young lady to hold their hands and tell them they are not alone...she is helping their families. Hers is the errand of angels, and I believe that she will be blessed for her unselfish love to be there when the family can't and there is no time.

Comment from FbL on 2009-07-16

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:07:03 -0600

She is definitely a warrior of tremendous strength and courage.

The last few weeks there have been many casualities, and so a number of the Soldiers' Angels in my circle have been directly impacted by them, either because the KIA was a soldier/Marine they adopted, or because they have been ministering to the families after the death. The accumulation of these last few weeks has stressed and pained beyond belief, though their contact has been from a distance. Strength such as this young warrior has is astonishing.

Comment from AFSister on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:23:17 -0600

*crying*
I have no words, just tears of thanks.

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:09:07 -0600

Sergeant Watson,

Please excuse me, I seem to be having a defect in my eye...can't seem to see too well just now, must be the dust in the air....that's it...dust in the air.

-30-

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:54:06 -0600

Yes, the chain (Of Command) is blind.

Yes, she is doing wondrous things.

She is setting herself up for some _massive_ PTSD sometime down the road. I've known a Nam Nurse or 2 and a Donut Dolly or three. This girl....scratch that....Soldier...yes, that's better, is setting herself up for a _big_ heap of PTSD.

She will have a massive welcome at Fiddler's Green, that is for sure; I only hope that she lives a long and _peaceful_ life before that time comes.

Comment from Jess E. Weiss on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:10:15 -0600

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Comment from BillT on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:57:16 -0600

...though her rank will make it more of a challenge to get through the system.

If she isn't recommended for the BSM, the chain is blind.

If she is recommended for the BSM and it's downgraded to a Green Weenie (or worse, an AAM), the chain is blind.

I concur with John. She undoubtedly knows that the "V" device is awarded for action in combat, and would be mortified to see it on anything she received for performing quiet acts of human kindness. The "V" device won't make her actions any more laudatory, and the absence of one won't make them any less so.

Comment from Chapwolfe (SA Rose's Dad) on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:32:23 -0600

I'm just a law enforcement Chaplain, so I know I have no say so, but...

I hereby propose a honorary MOS change to the Chaplain Corps and an honorary field promotion to the rank of Captain.

May God return unto her the blessings she has been to others.

Comment from harleycowboy on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:56:19 -0600

I've got no words either. Only tears

Comment from brat on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:46:00 -0600

She absolutely gives special meaning to "service..."

Bless her.

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:54 -0600

Incredible story. She'll have a crowd waiting to greet her when she crosses over.

Comment from GunnNutt on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:37:13 -0600

God has truly touched Sgt. Watson's heart and made it Army STRONG. How else could she possibly bear the pain of watching so many heroes pass from this world? An award for valour would be more than appropriate for this beautiful warrior.

Comment from AW1 Tim on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:07:54 -0600

She truly is a sister to everyone there. She's simply doing the one thing that God asks of us all. Love your neighbor as you would yourself.

More than any medal (although i support that idea fuly) she needs a school named after her, so that kids will learn her name and story.

respects,

Comment from joyce on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:00:04 -0600

as the other mom commented---we are so thankful someone like this is there where we can't be. amazing story. an amazing calling.

Comment from Glenna on 2009-07-15

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:56:08 -0600

An absolutely incredible person!

If her stint in the military was soley that of being by the bedside of these critically wounded soldiers until they pass on.........this would be a heart wrenching and full time job in itself. What strength and compassion in this young woman. God love her.

I think the word "invaluable" falls short of how AMAZING she really is.

Comment from Barb on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:53:06 -0600

I'm sure she'd rather get what Argent wished for her, than any medal. She is an angel indeed, and God bless her for it.

Comment from Miss Ladybug on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:27:20 -0600

As I read that the other day, I couldn't help but wonder if - in the same situation - I would have the strength to do what she does. I haven't been faced with much death or dying, in the immediate sense, especially, and I haven't quite figured out how to deal... She is a special soul, indeed.

Comment from RetRsvMike on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:05 -0600

concur with Jack. make it Bronze, and put a V on it. there is more valor in her actions than i could ever hope to muster.

Comment from Oldloadr on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:41:31 -0600

John, your title fits... that's all I can say...

Comment from Jack on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:53:44 -0600

John (both of you) - I think the "V" needs to stay.

Comment from D. Ratzlaff on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:35:20 -0600

I am a mother of a young soldier, who has had 2 tours in Afghanistan. He is scheduled to go next year on a 3rd. I thank you with all my heart ,for being with these beautiful boys and girls,because us mothers can't be.

Comment from Grumpy on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:19:52 -0600

I am totally blown away, this is a Soldier's Solder, like a wing man. She is on the toughest battlefield of life. There are no medals which adequately measure her service to this Nation. If you look with your soul's eye, into the future, hopefully a long time from now, you begin to see the picture. You see, it is now her turn to go to the "Fiddler's Green". The men with the bagpipes getting warmed up, everybody is gathering around the gates, here she comes. Then, you hear a voice from "On High", *"Alright people, make a hole. Let her in. SGT Jennifer Watson, WELCOME!"* (Cheers) "SGT, you didn't forget, we don't forget!", from all those at the Green.

Comment from Argent on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:12:53 -0600

What a wonderful Lady. May she never have any work to do.

Comment from BillT on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:11 -0600

Boq -- her wings are there, and not hidden. You just have to look closely, with your soul's eye...

Comment from R Jewell on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:03:49 -0600

Thanks to John's post, members of the American Legion and VFW in and around Sgt Watson's home town of Peru, In. have been made aware of her actions.

Knowing them as I do, I can imagine she'll get quite a homecoming when the time comes.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:32:02 -0600

John (NTA) - I'm thinking a Bronze Star (without the V Device for Valor, it's essentially an MSM for a combat zone).

Officers who do their jobs well in combat zones (who may never have fired a shot) get them, I see no reason Sergeant Watson shouldn't be considered for one - though her rank will make it more of a challenge to get through the system, perhaps.

I dunno. I suspect that what she does is reward enough for her, and a boon beyond imagining to those she helps.

That might be overkill - but putting her in for that might make the MSM easier to get through the mill.

Comment from Cricket on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:19:24 -0600

I often wondered if someone was with our mortally wounded heroes; being with them in their final moment. Love. There is no MOS for that...God bless her and keep her.

Comment from Boquisucio on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:18:23 -0600

Though she herself may have her boots firmly on the ground, I think I can glean her angel wings from under her ACU's.

Comment from John (not the armorer) on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:51:23 -0600

Her actions merit an award of some sort. A non-combat equivalent of the Silver Star, if there was such a thing Maybe a MSM?

May God bless her in her future endeavors, and may the memories of the suffering of those she consoled be outweighed by the memories of her selfless actions.

Comment from Tim on 2009-07-14

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:44:08 -0600

Simply amazing. That's a story that's heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. It seems that every week we find out about something incredible that one of our brave troops has done, and you just have to marvel at it all. Every time I think I could not be prouder of our heros, they do something even more impressive. God bless them all.