Courtesy Photo | Spc. James Gale, a medic with the 1/10th Mountain Division's 1st Battalion, 87th...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Matthew Gregor
1-10th Mountain Division 1-87 Infantry Division
KIRKUK, Iraq - A chance encounter with coalition forces and an injured Iraqi villager recently provided a chance for the Soldiers to treat the villager with first aid he would otherwise not have available.
Soldiers from the 1-10th Mountain Division's, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, were patrolling through villages in the Kirkuk area of northern Iraq – assessing the area for security issues and other problems that need to be resolved.
Because most Iraqi villages lack medical clinics or hospitals, Soldiers ensure a medic travels with them to each area visited, available to administer first aid to citizens in need.
"We will travel to villages throughout our area of operations, assessing the availability of water, electricity, education and other important services – with the ultimate goal of helping to provide them with anything they need," said Capt. Johnny Giroux, 1-87 Inf. "As we make our assessments, we ask the citizens if anyone in the area is in need of medical attention, and our unit medics will aid them in any way that they can."
The Soldiers encountered a man who had injured his hand two weeks prior to their arrival while working with machinery on his farm.
Lacking access to local medical care, he wrapped his injured hand the best he could and continued to work – not wanting to spare even a single day as he works to provide for his family.
Spc. James Gale, medic for 3rd Platoon, assessed the farmer's injury and began first aid.
"The man was initially reluctant to be examined, but he was happy to be treated when he realized we only wanted to help him," said Spc. James Gale, medic for Company A, 1-87 Inf. 3rd Platoon. "I cleaned, treated and redressed the wound; then gave him extra supplies and information on follow-up care."
Military medics are trained in a variety of first aid techniques which are valuable in any situation, whether it be combat related or not. Sgt. Michael Goolsby, Company A, Senior Medic, oversees all tasks his platoon medics respond to and takes care to ensure they are fully trained and ready to respond to any kind of medical crisis.
"The extensive training that medics receive helps prepare them for any situation they might encounter."
The Soldiers feel that actions such as Gale's are important as they try to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
"When we come searching for their problems, trying to help them in any way that we can, it helps them realize that we have only their best interests in mind," Goolsby said. "We are here to help the Iraqi people and we want them to know that."
"It's a great feeling to help people in need, and then return to base knowing that we as American Soldiers care for the Iraqi people," added Gale.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2008 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 15529 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 459 |
| Downloads: | 424 |
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