Weightlifter Excels in Iraq

By Army Sgt. Paul Evans 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq, Sept. 6, 2011 - Kentucky Army National Guard Sgt. Corey Blankenship often spends his time here occupied with very weighty issues. Kentucky Army National Guard Sgt. Corey Blankenship, a human resources specialist with 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, works on his bicep curls at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Paul Evans  Blankenship, who hails from Corbin, Ky., is a weightlifter who motivates himself and others to stay in shape through his one-hour, twice-daily workouts."You've got to make it part of life where you stick to it ... but you get lazy sometimes. I've always got someone to work out with me for motivation," said Blankenship, who's assigned to 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Blankenship is a human resources specialist, and he's known to lead by example both at his military workplace and in the gym. "I like to consider Sgt. Blankenship as the backbone of the section. He brings the knowledge and leadership to the section when I can't and keeps them active in their duties. He'd be tough to replace," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Terry Roark, Blankenship's supervisor. Altogether, Blankenship has some pretty good statistics to show for his exercise regime: he can bench press 455 pounds, bicep-curl a 225-pound-bar and squat about 500 pounds, just to highlight a few of his impressive feats. He also follows a strict, low-carbohydrate diet. Besides spending two hours in the gym daily, Blankenship tries to include about 30 minutes of cardio work twice a week, either running or bike riding. He said consistency "is about the only way" for people to stay fit in top physical condition. Blankenship, who's married with a daughter, joined the Army in November 2006, he said, because he was bored with civilian jobs. "I had a lot of friends in the Guard pulling me towards joining," he said, "and the idea of getting college benefits was cool." Blankenship has held three jobs during his military service, to include infantryman, diesel generator mechanic and human resources specialist. He also attended schools for air assault and rappelling. This is his first deployment. Stateside, Blankenship works full-time as the human resources NCO at Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 149th Infantry Regiment, in Barbourville, Ky. Blankenship also attends Columbia Southern University, where he's working to earn a bachelor's degree in human resources management. Serving in the Army offers many rewards, Blankenship said. "Aside from friends and camaraderie," he said, "there's always something new... whether it's getting to travel, go overseas or attend interesting schools, the opportunity is always there to do something big." �

Pema is waiting for your helping hand

Pema is 30-year old lady from Leh, Ladakh, with four children, who recently underwent a urinary bladder reconstruction operation in the Department of Urology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. She had a diseased urinary bladder which was small in capacity and could not store urine due to tuberculosis of the kidney and bladder. Her left kidney was also diseased and non-functioning due to tuberculosis. Her right kidney was also obstructed due to tuberculosis and this was also set right surgically.

Pema had urinary incontinence and she was always wet and stinking with the smell of urine. Her clothes were always wet due to dribbling of urine without her knowledge. It was an embarrassment for Pema to meet her friends & family, and she could not move out of her home. She then decided to come to CMCH for further treatment. Dr Kim Mammen, Professor & Head, Department of Urology, CMCH

, and his team of doctors and Nurses performed reconstruction of the urinary bladder using an intestinal segment and increased its capacity to store more volume of urine for curing her urinary incontinence. As she was recovering from this major surgical procedure, she developed weakness of all her four limbs due to tuberculosis affecting a portion of her brain, making her unable to walk and use her hands. She is on treatment for her TB and on rigorous physiotherapy and rehabilitation therapy to get the function of her limbs back to near normal. Doctors, Nurses and Physiotherapists at the CMCH are working very hard to get Mrs Pema back to normal. Her husband went back to Leh, Ladakh, to sell all the jewelry and household assets to bring some more money for Pema’s treatment. The hospital authorities have subsidized her treatment and given her a lot of financial assistance, writing off a significant portion of her escalating treatment bill.

Her total cost of treatment would come to Rs 2.5 Lakhs. Pema and her husband had come to CMCH from Leh with only Rs 30000.00

 and nothing more. This was the maximum amount they could collect from contributions from their family and friends. Kind hearted philanthropists and well-wishers can help this poor and truly deserving lady by sending in their contribution to the Medical Superintendent, CMCH, by a crossed cheque in favor of “CMC Ludhiana Society” with PEMA’s name and C/O Urology Department mentioned at the back of the cheque, along with a covering letter. All contributions are exempt from income tax under Section 80 G of the Income Tax act. 

Dr Kim Mammen,

Professor & Head, Department of Urology,

Christian Medical College & Hospital,

Ludhiana-141008, Punjab.

Mobile: +91 9814034185.

Vietnam Vet Regains Long-lost Bronze Star

By Jane Gervasoni U.S. Army Public Health Command ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Aug. 30, 2011 - More than 40 years ago, Army 1st Lt. Robert C. Berkshire earned a Bronze Star Medal for valor during his service in Vietnam. Army 1st Lt. Robert C. Berkshire takes a break during his deployment to Vietnam in 1970. Berkshire recently received a new Bronze Star Medal -- the original had been stolen along with his duffle bag at the end of his Vietnam tour of duty -- to replace the one he'd earned more than 40 years ago. Courtesy photo  On his way stateside following his Vietnam tour of duty, Berkshire's duffel bag was stolen -- in the duffel bag was his Bronze Star. He never saw his medal again.After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1971, Berkshire never said anything to his family or friends about the loss of his award. However, about a year ago, the subject of his military career came up while he was talking with David Kurk, a friend and fellow civilian employee in the laboratory at the U.S. Army Public Health Command here. Berkshire told his friend about the loss of his Bronze Star and showed him the award certificate. Berkshire explained that in June 1970 he and his platoon had flanked and destroyed an enemy position. Under heavy enemy fire, he'd also directed a medical evacuation of two wounded platoon members. Kurk was determined to see if he could help his friend be recognized for his heroic actions during the operation in Vietnam and replace his stolen medal. Working with Berkshire's daughter, Alyson Berkshire, Kurk took action to have his friend recognized. "No one in the family had heard about Dad's Bronze Star," Alyson said. "My parents have always been my heroes, and I wanted to make sure Dad could be honored as one." Working with Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald C. Ecker, the Public Health Command's command sergeant major, Alyson and Kurk provided the paperwork necessary to secure a replacement Bronze Star. Lovetta Britton, the command's protocol officer, arranged a surprise award ceremony. On Aug. 17, Army Brig. Gen. Timothy K. Adams, commander of the Public Health command, hosted the award ceremony to honor Berkshire's heroism. Berkshire was told his daughter was receiving an award, and that he was invited to participate in the ceremony. During the ceremony, Adams turned to the Army veteran. "I understand you were in the Army and served in Vietnam," he said, "and I heard that you also lost something." Berkshire, still unaware of the surprise presentation, thought Adams was referring to his recent hip surgery and replied, "Yes, I lost a piece of my hip." Adams then told Berkshire he'd receive a new Bronze Star Medal to replace the one stolen from him more than 40 years before. "Your service to our country should be remembered and celebrated," Adams said. "It is my privilege to give you this award for your service." Berkshire said he was stunned by the commander's words and the standing ovation from friends, family and co-workers at the award presentation. "For you and everyone else to work so hard in replacing the medal that was so precious to me and that I thought I would never see again, I was basically speechless," Berkshire said to the general. "Please accept my deepest gratitude for your gracious act." Ecker summed up the event's purpose. "When an act of selfless service to our nation has been fulfilled, it is never too late to render honors and gratitude for the service," he said. �

Biographies: Army Brig. Gen. Timothy K. Adams Related Sites: U.S. Army Public Health Command

Soldier Excels in Decontamination Field

By Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry 120th Public Affairs Detachment CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind., Aug. 26, 2011 - Indiana Army National Guard Spc. Michael Clayton, a chemical operations specialist with the 438th Chemical Company here, brings nearly 10 years of experience to an emergency response organization that trains to contend with nuclear, chemical or biological incidents. Indiana Army National Guard Spc. Michael Clayton, a chemical operations specialist with the 438th Chemical Company based at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., brings nearly 10 years of experience to the 19th Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, an emergency response organization that trains to contend with nuclear, chemical or biological incidents. U.S. Army photo  Clayton also is assigned to the 19th Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package. He is a member of the 19th's decontamination team that treats survivors of chemical, biological or nuclear attacks."We run [survivors] through our decontamination line to clean them up, [to] make sure nothing is on them," Clayton said. Clayton's supervisor, Army 1st Lt. Jason Moore, said the specialist's 5-foot, 7-inch tall, 150-pound frame packs a lot of knowledge. "He probably knows everything there is to know out here" about decontamination, Moore said of Clayton's expertise. The 438th's troops, he added, lean heavily on the soldier. "He's helped me a lot," Moore said. "He makes me better and those he works with better, because he shares his knowledge and his talent." Clayton, who hails from Indianapolis, enlisted in the National Guard in January 2002. For three years he worked full time with Indiana's 53rd Civil Support Team, which helps first responders contend with nuclear, chemical or biological incidents. The 19th, which has been training since March, is here undergoing its mission-ready certification process. "The way I see it, we're going to do really, really well," Clayton said. "The way we've been setting up and working well as a team -- because we're a chemical unit, we already have decon[tamination capability] -- so it's made everything easier." Clayton said he enjoys serving in the National Guard. "It's outstanding; I love it," he said. "Every day we've been doing this, I wake up [and] I'm ready to go."

Interacts with Afghan children in Balay Kalay

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Trident Villanueva, with the New Jersey National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, interacts with Afghan children in Balay Kalay, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2011. The infantry unit provided security for the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team. (DoD photo by Spc. George Hunt, U.S.

State Level Haematology Quiz held at CMC

CMC Ludhiana and Patiala to represent Punjab 

Ludhiana, 26^th August, 2011 : On behalf of the ISHTM (Indian Society of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine), the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh State level quiz was held in CMC Ludhiana.  Six different medical colleges with post graduate courses from CMC Ldh, DMC Ldh, GMC Patiala, GMC Amritsar, Adesh Institute Bhatinda and RPG medical College Kangra participated in the quiz.

In closely contested competition, Drs Neha Talwar, Navin Mathew and Jessita from CMC Ludhiana were the winners and Drs Kavita,  Vivek Rana and Amit Madaan from Govt College, Patiala were runners up. DMC Ludhiana got third prize.

This was conducted as part of the 1^st National Haematology quiz for post graduates.  The state and zonal co-ordinator Dr Naveen Kakkar said that the unique nature of the quiz was that it was a 3 member team with post graduates from medicine, paediatrics and pathology.

The national co-ordinator Dr M Joseph John, Associate Professor & Head of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at CMC Ludhiana commented that the goal of initiating this event at the national level was to increase the awareness of Haematology as a sub-specialty among the students and the 3 member team would stress on the importance of clinicians and pathologists working together to render the best care for the patients.

The winners and the runners up would be taking part in the North Zone competition on October 5^th in PGI Chandigarh.  The grand finale would be held at the same venue during the national ISHTM conference on 11/11/11 at 11 am. 

Soldier-songwriter Serves in Afghanistan

By Army Pfc. Christopher Holton Task Force Duke KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Aug. 19, 2011 - A soldier serving in Task Force Duke here leads a double life. Army Pfc. Zachary William Charles Short strums his guitar in the motor pool at Combat Outpost Herrera, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2011. Short, under the stage name Zac Charles, has written and recorded several country music songs. Courtesy photo  In his Army life, Pfc. Zachary William Charles Short is a combat medic with the 1st Infantry Division's Battery A, 1st Battalion, 6th Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. But the 22-year-old native of Bend, Ore., records music under the stage name Zac Charles, and his single "Until I Get Home" became the third-most-requested song on country music radio stations in the Elizabethtown, Ky., area. This is an accomplishment in its own right for any aspiring musician, but judging by the number of fans he's amassed, it may be only the beginning of Short's musical journey. Short said he began writing music at age 12, and that he grew up listening to country music artists such as Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Jeremy Camp. Like that of many other artists, he said, his music reflects his life experiences. "I write about things I see and feel around me," he explained. I think music turns out better that way." Short said he put his music career aspirations on hold when he joined the Army at age 19 to support his family, because his wife and son are the most important aspects of his life. "My wife has been a big inspiration for a lot of my songs," he said. But today, his military duties and missions come first, he added. "It has been interesting to see my military career form," he said, "and I have learned so much." Writing and playing music in Afghanistan helps to lift his and other soldier's spirits, Short said. "My morale has improved greatly being able to do music out here," Short said. "I have also had the opportunity to improve the morale of the soldiers around me. On many occasions, a bunch of us have sat around at night after missions and sang a few songs." Short said his music serves as a constant reminder of how much he loves and misses his family. "I wrote ["Until I Get Home"] when I was away from my wife, and it reflects on the feeling I had then," he said. While in Afghanistan, Short acquired another supporter: U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Bova, a Houston native and fellow soldier in Battery A. Bova said he became an instant fan after hearing Short's music. "He could be an instant star in the world of country music," Bova said of Short's potential. "He just needs to be heard." Upon returning from deployment, Bova plans to be part of Short's public relations team. "Good Morning America" producers, he said, have expressed interest in having Short appear on the program. Bova said he hopes Short can obtain a record deal, "so people who haven't heard him can, and so his fans can hear him more often." Short said he plans to record some tracks in Nashville, Tenn., shortly after he returns to the United States from Afghanistan. "I've got a good studio lined up, and I'll be excited to start recording," he said.

Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force