Sep 28, 2012 - Kaiserslautern American

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HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?

September 28, 2012

Volume 36, number 39

POW/MIAs remembered at ceremony by Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs As Airmen and Soldiers stood in the cold, they stretched, warmed their hands and hydrated to prepare for a run. A man’s voice came over the loudspeakers. “Physical fitness is key; it’s a part of staying resilient and it’s what got prisoners of war through hard times,” said Col. John Shapland, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander. “What a great way to start today — a run to honor those who came before us.” Airmen from the 435th AGOW and other squadrons participated in a 5K run to honor POWs and those missing See REMEMBER, Page 7

Photo by Phil A. Jones

Surgeon general visits KMC Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services surgeon general, greets a wounded warrior during her Sept. 20 visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Benjamin also visited the United Service Organizations at the Ramstein Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. She took an office call with Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, on the day the 21st TSC conducted suicide training, including a health fair, as part of the suicide prevention stand-down day. The surgeon general’s tour gave her the opportunity to observe the hard work of the U.S. service members who ensure wounded warriors receive world-class care.

MWD reunites with handler during bedside visit

TIP OF THE WEEK Reflective belts can save your life! During hours of darkness and/or inclement weather, be reflective! Be safe! Arrive alive!

spleen removed and suffered two broken bones in his right-rear foot, the young German shepherd appeared uninjured as he eagerly made his way bedside. Although his handler wasn’t initially aware of his visitor, JaJo licked his outstretched hand and was ready to jump up and share the bed. Moments later, the Soldier’s eye opened and the Soldier became alert enough to give his friend a loving cuddle. See REUNITED, Page 17

Photo by Capt. Leslie Keller

JaJo rests his head on the hand of his injured handler in the intensive care unit at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. JaJo and his handler were injured by blast injuries sustained in Afghanistan.

LIFESTYLES

W

hen an injured military working dog handler regains consciousness from a blast or other incident downrange, the first thing they ask is, “How is my dog?” A Soldier recently injured in Afghanistan asked that same question in the intensive care unit at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

When the patient’s nurse told him JaJo (pronounced “zsa-zso”) was being treated for injuries at a nearby military veterinary clinic, but was doing fine, she said a tear of relief rolled down his cheek. Only one day after surgery, JaJo, with a bandaged foot and shrapnel wounds visible across his body, was allowed to visit his handler and friend — an infantry Soldier recovering from the same incident. The Soldier’s name is being withheld for patient privacy reasons. Although JaJo had half of his

NEWS

by Chuck Roberts Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs

Flu vaccine available in KMC, Page 3

Introducing the KMC’s newest residents, Page 26

406

As of Sept. 25

663


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