Wounded Airman meets doctor who saved her life

Air Force Space Command News Service ^ | 12/07/2005 | 1st Lieutenant Tracy Giles

[steel_resolve]

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.—More than five months, 8,000 miles and countless prayers led up to an unlikely reunion Dec. 2.

Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and Maj. Paul Morton first ‘met’ June 25 on a hot summer day in Kirkuk, Iraq, that Major Morton described simply as chaotic. In contrast, the two met again Dec. 2 on a cold winter day in the relative calm of the Black Forest Animal Sanctuary in Monument, Colo.

Five months ago, Sergeant Dana, a former 21st Security Forces Squadron dog handler here, hovered near the edge of death after taking the brunt of an improvised explosive device detonation from directly underneath her Humvee seat during a convoy patrol near Kirkuk Air Base. The sergeant received the Purple Heart July 22.

Major Morton, a 10th Medical Group emergency room physician stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., was one member of the twenty-person-plus Kirkuk medical trauma team who helped save her life that day.

Major Morton said Sergeant Dana’s lungs were severely injured and she had massive internal bleeding requiring 19 blood transfusions to keep her alive.

“Our entire team thought she was going to die,” Major Morton said.

Sergeant Dana was lifted into a Black Hawk helicopter and evacuated to Balad Air Base, Iraq, accompanied by Major Morton and a team of medics.

“The helicopter ride was the scariest 45 minutes of my life and career,” Major Morton said. “Jamie almost died multiple times, and I remember myself vividly praying. I’m amazed to see her alive today.”

Major Morton and Sergeant Dana have been in touch via e-mail for the past month, but this was the first time since Iraq they had been able to meet in person. Upon seeing each other the two embraced, and Major Morton said, “You look a lot better than the last time we met.”

Sergeant Dana doesn’t remember much from the first meeting other than a split second of confusion and asking to see her military working dog, Rex, who was with her in the blast.

During the helicopter flight, Major Morton said his team of medics almost lost her. “She had an inner strength and something deep inside of her to stay alive that was outside of this world,” he said.

Shortly after the IED attack, word spread quickly back to her family, friends and coworkers here. They set up a Web site dedicated to supporting Sergeant Dana, took donations and offered many prayers on her behalf.

Today, the Web site has received more than 360 heartfelt messages of encouragement and support from family, military and civilian friends around the world.

That support remained constant throughout her critical days at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, into the painful months of recovery and surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Md., and through her homecoming here.

“Jamie’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous,” said Major Paul Cairney, 21st Security Forces Squadron commander. “She is very blessed to be alive.”

Sergeant Dana is by no means fully recovered but hopes remain high for her continued improvement. She walks with a cane and takes medication daily for pain. Her life has been forever altered, but many have been inspired by her true, fighting spirit.

Her strong will is clearly evident today—she is determined to live life to the fullest, move forward, attend veterinary school and pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She also plans to continue to volunteer, much as she did before the attack, and care for the horses and animals of the Black Forest Animal Sanctuary.

“I love working with animals,” she said. “They are a major part of my life, and I don’t want to give it up.”

Despite all she has been through, she says she has no regrets. “I wanted to be a part of it, and I would go back to Iraq in a heartbeat if I could,” she said.

“I want to support the troops and recognize the men and women who are putting their lives on the line every day and dying for our country,” she added. “And I want to thank my family, friends and the Air Force who have all been behind me every step of the way.”

[Paradox]

Despite all she has been through, she says she has no regrets. “I wanted to be a part of it, and I would go back to Iraq in a heartbeat if I could,” she said.

“I want to support the troops and recognize the men and women who are putting their lives on the line every day and dying for our country,” she added. “And I want to thank my family, friends and the Air Force who have all been behind me every step of the way.”

I am in awe of these people. Simply in awe..

[BillF]

Thanks for posting this great article.

[Paradox]

Airman meets doctor who saved her life

MONUMENT, Colo. (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and her former military working dog, Rex, met Maj. (Dr.) Paul Morton at an animal sanctuary where the sergeant volunteers. Major Morton helped save Sergeant Dana's life after an improvised explosive device detonated under her Humvee near Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Major Morton is with the 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Sergeant Dana is with the 21st Security Forces Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo)

[BillF]

Inspiring story about an AF woman who spent months at Walter Reed. She was injured near Kirkuk AFB, the base that my brother went to.

LF, she loves animals and hopes to become a vet.

God bless all our troops and the doctors, nurses, and other medical personel who work so hard to help them.

[Doogle]

Despite all she has been through, she says she has no regrets. “I wanted to be a part of it, and I would go back to Iraq in a heartbeat if I could,” she said.

..now think back folks, is this the first time you heard this type of sentiment from our current crop of military people?. Yes we hear about injuries and death, as war will always bring....but their commitment to victory and to their fellow fighting Americans has never been stronger and will always make me proud and ever supportive in ALL they do.

Doogle

[BillF]

"Nothing will stop the US Air Force" bump for this inspiring story about a former Walter Reed patient.

[BillF]

We hear positive comments about the Iraq mission from Walter Reed patients every week as we counter Code Pinkos, who are doing an obscene anti-war blood dance to torment our war-wounded heroes, but the media won't play those positve comments up.

See most recent report here: Walter Reed, Week 33: FREEPERS 29, ICE COLD PINKOS 11 (Join Us Tonight, Dec. 9!)

Earlier reports can be found from among this list of search results.

Thank you for your service. Thanks for my freedom.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

I am in awe of these people. Simply in awe

Some peole would have you believe that the greatest generation has come and is now dying off.

Ronald Reagan like to say "You ain't seen nothing yet!"
I agree with the Gipper, the best is yet to come.

[El Gato]

One thing that folks can do, especially those in the central and north Texas areas is to go to www.klif.com for the "We Got Your Back" campaign. This is spearheaded by Daryl Ankarlo, who spoke at the second Crawford FReep. You have until 7 PM CST tonight to donate. They have an 800 number to call. (1-877-4DFWAID). They take most credit cards. The money goes to the families of deployed troops. You can donate new toys as well. The money will be used to buy toys for their kids, or to help with other expenses as required. Each case is handled individually by local volunteers, including Mrs. Ankarlo!