thedrifter
05-24-06, 07:52 AM
National Naval Medical Center Honors Top Marine
Story Number: NNS060523-16
Release Date: 5/23/2006 8:52:00 PM
By Journalist 3rd Class Matt Bullock, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- The National Naval Medical Center awarded Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee the C.W. Bill and Beverly Young Distinguished Humanitarian Award May 16 here in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium.
Bethesda honored Hagee for the countless hours he has spent visiting injured service members.
"Young Award recipients are not fair-weather friends," said National Naval Medical Center Commander, Rear Adm. Adam Robinson Jr. "They are there through the good times and bad, happy times and sad, and they honestly care for and about the people that they serve. They are patriots. They define loyalty, devotion and duty. This is the inspiration behind the establishment of the Young Award."
Marine Sgt. Dwight Mitchell, who works in Bethesda’s Marine Corps Liaison Office, said Hagee visits the troops about once a week, and many Marines tell him that Hagee genuinely cares about them.
"Most of the Marines laying in a bed on Bethesda’s surgical ward expect to see their family or hospital staff, so they’re really surprised when they see the Commandant of the Marine Corps," Mitchell said. "It’s a big deal to Marines."
Marine Pvt. Matthew Davis, an injured Marine on Bethesda’s surgical ward, said Hagee awarded his Purple Heart, and that seeing Hagee was like meeting a living legend.
"It was awesome," Davis said. "Most Marines don’t get to see him in their entire career. We learn about him in boot camp and see pictures of him in the chow hall. I never thought I would ever meet him. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life."
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, Bethesda leaders, recovering Marines, and many of the hospital’s Sailors attended the award presentation.
Winter said Hagee personifies the award; he is a strong warrior and a great humanitarian.
"He exemplifies everything you could hope for in a Marine general," Winter said. "He clearly worries, cares about and does all he can to help Marines, especially in a time of need."
Congressman C.W. Bill Young and his wife Beverly applauded Hagee’s commitment to the injured service members. Young said Hagee’s accomplishments are noteworthy, but so, too, are the efforts of the countless staff members working at Bethesda.
"Hagee is an excellent choice for this award," Young said. "But you can pick any doctor, nurse or corpsman in this hospital and give them the same award."
Bethesda has treated more than 2,000 injured service members since the global war on terrorism began, most of whom are Marines and Navy corpsmen.
Ellie
Story Number: NNS060523-16
Release Date: 5/23/2006 8:52:00 PM
By Journalist 3rd Class Matt Bullock, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- The National Naval Medical Center awarded Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee the C.W. Bill and Beverly Young Distinguished Humanitarian Award May 16 here in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium.
Bethesda honored Hagee for the countless hours he has spent visiting injured service members.
"Young Award recipients are not fair-weather friends," said National Naval Medical Center Commander, Rear Adm. Adam Robinson Jr. "They are there through the good times and bad, happy times and sad, and they honestly care for and about the people that they serve. They are patriots. They define loyalty, devotion and duty. This is the inspiration behind the establishment of the Young Award."
Marine Sgt. Dwight Mitchell, who works in Bethesda’s Marine Corps Liaison Office, said Hagee visits the troops about once a week, and many Marines tell him that Hagee genuinely cares about them.
"Most of the Marines laying in a bed on Bethesda’s surgical ward expect to see their family or hospital staff, so they’re really surprised when they see the Commandant of the Marine Corps," Mitchell said. "It’s a big deal to Marines."
Marine Pvt. Matthew Davis, an injured Marine on Bethesda’s surgical ward, said Hagee awarded his Purple Heart, and that seeing Hagee was like meeting a living legend.
"It was awesome," Davis said. "Most Marines don’t get to see him in their entire career. We learn about him in boot camp and see pictures of him in the chow hall. I never thought I would ever meet him. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life."
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, Bethesda leaders, recovering Marines, and many of the hospital’s Sailors attended the award presentation.
Winter said Hagee personifies the award; he is a strong warrior and a great humanitarian.
"He exemplifies everything you could hope for in a Marine general," Winter said. "He clearly worries, cares about and does all he can to help Marines, especially in a time of need."
Congressman C.W. Bill Young and his wife Beverly applauded Hagee’s commitment to the injured service members. Young said Hagee’s accomplishments are noteworthy, but so, too, are the efforts of the countless staff members working at Bethesda.
"Hagee is an excellent choice for this award," Young said. "But you can pick any doctor, nurse or corpsman in this hospital and give them the same award."
Bethesda has treated more than 2,000 injured service members since the global war on terrorism began, most of whom are Marines and Navy corpsmen.
Ellie