Posted on 08/05/2005 5:37:15 PM PDT by SandRat
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 5, 2005 — A reservist's commitment to volunteer service has garnered her a top Army and national honor.
Spc. Megan McCartney, Army National Guardsman and combat medic-in-training from the 232nd Medical Battalion here, is the Army's recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award.
The prestigious award is given annually to five enlisted service members – one E-5 and below from each military branch – for their off-duty volunteer service in the community.
McCartney, part-time member of the Louisiana Army National Guard and full-time emergency medical technician for a civilian hospital, is not just the second reservist to ever receive this honor, she is also the third soldier medic in four years to earn the award, according to Joe March, a legion spokesman.
“The fact that soldier medics have been recurring recipients of this award is a testament to the quality of soldiers volunteering to serve as combat medics today,” said Lt. Col. Brian Kueter, 232nd Medical Battalion commander. “Service before self is part of the combat medic culture, and McCartney is a prime example of that commitment.”
McCartney is not only continuing a trend for combat medics, she is starting a legacy at her Guard unit – the 769th Engineer Battalion in Baton Rouge, La. The Army recipient of the 2003 award, Sgt. Jacob Witte, was also from the 769th.
“The battalion is very family- and soldier-oriented,” said Capt. Nicole Townley, 769th Engineer Battalion personnel officer. “We concentrate a lot on community service. McCartney is a great example of that; she's always helping out the community and the unit.”
McCartney said her dedication to her community originates from her military commitment. As a heavily involved member of the Color Guard, she is a familiar face at hometown events such as Veterans Day ceremonies and Fourth of July events. She also is a volunteer recruiter and visits local high schools and community events in uniform to help enlist new soldiers.
“I volunteered to do a deployment in Afghanistan,” McCartney said. “The experience made me feel more like a
soldier. I like to let people know the military is a great place to be.”
McCartney also has pitched in to help her unit get ready for inspections.
“She came in during her personal time to assist the full-time personnel,” Townley said. “She was not paid for doing this; she did it from the kindness of her heart and for the betterment of the organization.”
A former supply specialist, McCartney put her skills to good use after Hurricane Ivan last year. She assisted in distributing supplies and hundreds of gallons of water to victims of the natural disaster.
McCartney's mother, Terri Deville, said her daughter has always been driven to excel.
“She's always been a giver, never a receiver,” Deville said. “Even as a small child, she was never any other way. I'm just bursting with pride. I feel like she's deserved something like this all of her life.”
On her part, McCartney attributes all of her accomplishments to her love for the military and her community.
“I love being a soldier,” she said. “And I love helping people. That's why I want to be a medic in my military career as well as my civilian one.”
McCartney will take a break from her medic training to take her mother on an all-expenses-paid trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, for the American Legion's 87th annual National Convention Aug. 19 to 25 where she will participate in the legion's parade and attend the legion's National Commander's banquet as a distinguished guest.
“Spc. McCartney's continuous volunteerism and commitment to the betterment of this unit and community are unmatched,” Townley said. “I cannot think of a soldier more deserving of recognition for her accomplishments both as a soldier and a citizen.”
The American Legion is a community-service organization with nearly 3 million members in about 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide, according to the legion's Web site.
Spc. Megan McCartney, Army National Guardsman and combat medic-in-training from the 232nd Medical Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, administers an IV to her classmate, Spc. Evelyn Reyes. McCartney is the Army recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. U.S. Army photo by Elaine Wilson
MEDIC PING
bump
My son is part of Medical 232nd. Just landed in Ft. Bragg for 13 weeks (more) medical training.
Thank him for his service from me.
As an American Legion Chaplain, a former Army National Guardsman and Marine, I'm so proud of people like that. And I'm glad that the Legion is honoring them in this way. My post is run by former enlisted people. I'm so happy to see them get recognition like this.
Once a medic, always a medic! So others may live!!
Class of '82
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