Photo By Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues | Cpl. Sara A. Medina, from Aurora, Illinois, deployed to Kathmandu, Nepal with Joint...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – On April 25, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Nepal. April 29, the U.S. military deployed a 20-person Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team. Since then, approximately 900 U.S. military and civilian personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps contributed to the Nepal relief efforts under the auspices of Joint Task Force 505.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck May 12 and as JTF 505 personnel continued to provide humanitarian aid, a UH-1Y Huey helicopter, with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, crashed eight miles north of Charikot, Nepal, that afternoon.
Onboard were two Nepali soldiers and six U.S. Marines. One of these Marines was Cpl. Sara A. Medina, a combat photographer assigned to Marine Corps Installations Pacific while serving with JTF 505.
As a combat photographer, Medina worked tirelessly to provide the world with high quality imagery of the ongoing disaster response.
Her photos will last forever, and like her photos, so will the impression she made on her fellow Marines.
Below are the responses Marines gave when asked “Who was Cpl. Sara Medina to you?”
“Cpl Medina was my soul mate, she was my better half, she was my everything. There wasn't a single activity we didn't do together. She changed me for the better. Before I was dependent upon alcohol and lived sedentary. After she came into my life I wanted to change for the better. I'm happy to say I am still sober to this day almost two years strong. Sara was my queen and I treated her as such. I did everything she needed she never had to worry about anything. The kind of love we had for each other is a love rarely found by human kind. Rest in peace Sara I will always love you my queen. We were to get married when she returned from Nepal and surprise everyone.” -Sgt. Devon Henderson, Cpl. Medina’s fiancé and airborne and air delivery specialist.
“I deployed with Cpl. Sara Medina Cpl. Sara Medina to Korea last year, and was blessed to be able to work with her frequently. Cpl. Medina was a go-getter, always motivated and always smiling. She was a wonderful Marine. Medina was on the Nepal mission for exactly what she joined the Marine Corps to do - to help others in a remote region who are in great need. She selflessly risked and sacrificed her life so that others might be saved - what a testimony of service before self and what an honorable memory. May Jesus be the almighty comforter those who are mourning their loss, and we pray for His peace that passes all understanding. Semper Fidelis Medina, I'll see you guarding Heaven's gates one day.” -Capt. Caleb Eames, public affairs officer.
“Cpl Medina you are a rock star, one of the coolest and strongest NCOs I've had the privilege to work with. It seems every deployment I went on, you were there as well, taking charge of the combat camera section. You are incredibly hard working and devoted to your Marines. We will all miss you but never forget you. Semper Fi Marine.” -Staff Sgt Joseph Digirolamo, combat correspondent.
“Who was Sara to me? I've known her since we were both Marines awaiting training at the Defense Information School together. We were stationed together at Quantico together. We traveled together. We celebrated each other's birthdays. She helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. We got stationed overseas and even met the loves of our lives at the same time. I can't explain how excited I was to come down to Okinawa for this upcoming Memorial Day and our significant others to each other. She was a dear friend, a comrade, a great listener, a confidant. But most importantly, she was a sister. I know it sounds strange, but she’s called me “brother” and I have called her “sister” almost as long as I’ve known her. I never had siblings growing up, but she is about as close as I've had to one. I was lucky enough to watch her grow so much over the last 4 years. I'm older in age but she was always much wiser than me despite her young, joyful, beautiful soul. She was always someone who I could count on to give me sound advice. She never took the shortcut or easy way out, and I think that is what I admired most about her. She was a great Marine with strong convictions, willing to do anything necessary for those in need. When her Marines came up to Iwakuni for Friendship Day, she checked in on me, asking about her ‘minions’. There were many times she set me straight in life, but I never felt like she looked down on me. Her concerns were always genuine. I never saw her quit, though there were times where others would have. She was a very strong, assertive lady. She always gave her best. She had a wonderful sense of style and amazingly diverse taste in music and art. Something about her made me feel at peace. She was a blessing to this world and those of us who got to be her friends gained something irreplaceable in our lives. If you knew her, it was impossible for her not to leave a trace on you. I know I will remember her and honor her memory for the rest of my life. She is and always will be my sister. There is no part of me that doubts she is in a better place now. My heart goes out to her friends and loved ones but I couldn't be prouder of her giving her life to help others. She was the true definition of a Marine. No greater friend. No worse enemy.” -Sgt. Mitchell Flowers, combat camera production specialist.
“Sara Medina was an unexpected friend who could put a positive outlook on anything. She went out of her comfort zone to make me appreciate being out of mine. I will never forget her and neither could anyone who has ever had the pleasure of her company.” -Sgt Erica Kirsop, combat correspondent.
“Medina was a prideful woman who cared about the outcome of every task given to her. She's someone who wasn't afraid to ask for advice to better herself.” -Sgt. Anthony Kirby, combat correspondent.
“Medina and I bumped heads a lot back in the unit. At times I hated her but it’s only because she corrected me a lot. She was one of the only NCOs you would ever see at the barracks actually cleaning during field day and not just watching. She was a very down to earth and approachable person...She was an amazing example of what an NCO should be.” -Cpl Justin Shearshills, supply administration and operations specialist.
“Sara Medina was one of the best female Marines I knew. She was open minded and quick to help out any individual in need. She was funny and witty. And yet she wasn't afraid to tell others how she felt.” -Cpl. Audra Davidson, administrative specialist.
“I loved that she had her priorities straight. She knew when to work, when to have fun, and did both with unflagging enthusiasm. She was smart, she had spunk, and we could talk for hours. At DINFOS she was the first lance corporal to yell at my private first class self. She and her attention to detail called me out on not caring enough about dryer lint, it's so funny if think of that. She became a great friend, an accomplished artist, and always was the best dressed at the party. She will be so very missed.” -Cpl. Diana Sims, combat photographer.
“Cpl Medina came to our unit motivated, inspired, and optimistic. She had a passion for photography and a desire to develop in her MOS and as a Marine. She inspired her fellow Marines not only in her section, but throughout our unit. She truly cared about the Marines and her job. I knew that as she progressed throughout the ranks, she would further develop her strengths and be an outstanding leader that would only push our Combat Camera field in a stronger direction. I wish I could have had the opportunity to work with her again and see the kind of Marine she grew in to. But I know that I will see the effects of her leadership from the Marines she mentored and left behind to watch over our Corps and Country. I keep her on my mind and in my prayers every day. It's now a part of who we are.” -Sgt. Britni Garcia Green, drill instructor.
“Cpl. Medina, was an amazing person, she helped me cope with being pregnant with twins as a young Marine. Always told me I would be a great mom and Marine. She was always helping me, always smiling and always happy to see me. When I heard she was gone I was devastated, she was family. Working in the Combat Camera office we all bumped heads. But she was a prime example of a person not just a Marine. The world has lost a gem.” -Cpl. Chantelle Henderson, supply administration and operations specialist.
“I owe Sara a lot. She gave me the heads up on the MSG program before I left Okinawa. She's a great person to have around. I am sorry for your loss.” -Sgt. Henry Antenor, Marine security guard.
“We all lost a piece of our hearts. A piece of who we've all become because of Sara. Whether it was from her kind words or being there to lean on, she was one of those friends that you find once in a lifetime if we're lucky. And we are all lucky. The world was a better place because we were fortunate enough to have known her and the Corps is a better Corps because she served.” -Lance Cpl. Danielle Kyle, combat photographer.
“Cpl. Sara Medina was more than an NCO and more than a Marine. What I'll always remember her by was her infectious attitude and zeal for life. She would do everything she could to help someone regardless if she knew you for 10 years or 10 minutes. I'll remember her as someone who earnestly wanted to make the lives of the people around her better. It did not matter how long you knew Sara, you could tell instantly that something was different. She was simply put a positive light in a world that can so often be too dim. My deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones. Semper Fi.” -Sgt. Timothy Lenzo, combat correspondent.
“Cpl Medina was such a selfless person. She was always trying to groom me to become an NCO. I never felt ready for that responsibility yet but with the tasks she gave me and I would complete them and build my confidence. I hope to become the NCO she was. It was my last day in my shop the day before I left Okinawa and it was also my birthday. She told me to come in so everyone could see me off. She surprised me with a cake. Without a doubt the best birthday I had on Okinawa. I remember pulling pits with her when on range. It was monsoon season, so that month brought the most rain out of the average year in Okinawa. Well on qualification day it was sunny and everything. We set up the pits because we are shooting in the afternoon. As soon as we are done setting up it was getting dark and cloudy and really windy. Then it just unloads buckets of rain. We put the targets up and two seconds later our able target just blows away somewhere to the mountain side. We just looked at each other and laughed. It was one of those moments we just had no clue what to do and we just laughed at the bad situation. We were wet cold and lost a target. Oh well. She was such a great person she will be deeply missed.” -Lance Cpl. Tyler Dietrich, combat photographer.
“To me Medina was my comedic relief. She was the friendly face at the Photo Front Desk who welcomed a pointless joke or 10 to break up the busy workday of the shop. She was the friend who showed up for birthday parties without having to be reminded what day they were or where they were going to be. Medina was the first to respond when I needed a dancing partner to go out on any random night. She was the woman I envied for having a remote start Monte Carlo that was warm and ready for work while the rest of us were still digging our cars out of the snow. She was no bullshit. She was the one to represent the underdog Marine or anyone who was being wronged. She was the one to bluntly stand up for her friends, knowing instinctively that they needed her too. She was Mediiiiiiina. She mispronounced our last names which became our loving nicknames. She was the infectious laugh that warmly filled the room. She was my sister. She is my sister. She will be missed.” -Lance Cpl. Rachel Ursery, combat photographer.
“There are really no words to describe the amount of loss I feel in my heart right now. Sara Medina was an amazing person, friend and Marine. She was the type of friend who would buy you a plane ticket home to surprise your mom on her birthday and expected nothing in return. She was spunky, sassy, and one of the most amazing people I've ever met; my kind of gal. I think that's why we got along so well. She will surely be missed.” -Lance Cpl. Lahmia Hegwood, combat camera production specialist.
“There really aren't words to fully describe the impact that Cpl. Sara A. Medina had on the lives of everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. I don't believe that we will ever be able to accept that she is no longer with us. She had a certain kind of spunk I have never seen in anyone before or since, and that will probably never be matched. She was the kind of person everyone looked forward to seeing, with a smile and sense of humor that could bring life and joy to any situation. She was always mature well beyond her young years, and she never hesitated to impart her level-headed wisdom to anyone in need. And she would tell them what they NEEDED to hear, even if they didn't want to hear it... the mark of a true friend. Medina was the most passionate person I have ever met, in everything she did. From her dedication to her friends and family, to how she excelled at photography and being an all-around Marine. Sara was always moving forward, and I never heard her give or accept a single excuse. She had such an intense sense of duty to her country and her Corps that it is almost fitting that she left this Earth to join the ranks of our fallen brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Cpl. Sara A. Medina leaves behind many broken hearts, but her legacy is immortal.” -Lance Cpl. Amanda Hosford, combat photographer.
“She was a great Marine, awesome person and a cherished friend. She will be missed.” -Sgt. Manuel Estrada, combat correspondent.
"Medina was the first real friend I had at Quantico. She was always there for me in my time of need and always held me to a higher standard than what I had for myself. That's what I loved about her. She would see what you were capable of and wouldn't want to hear any excuses as to why you weren't performing at your best. She also had a great eye for fashion. Because of her I now know never to judge an article of clothing by its appearance before I try it on. I can't count how many times she would say an outfit would look amazing on me and I would think it was hideous. And then I would try it on and I would fall in love with it! That's the type of person she was. She could get you to step outside your comfort zone, and once you did you were enjoy life." -Cpl. Tatiana Herrera, field wireman.
“Cpl Sara Medina and I were traveling companions. She wanted to travel and explore the world. We got the opportunity to visit Mexico, Belize, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, and Canada. Sara was and adventures person with a lot a spirit. Cpl. Medina was an outstanding Marine. She led by example, she was dedicated and motivated to advance in her career as a Combat Photographer. She took care of her Marines, she was a great mentor, and she loved to teach Marines the new things she learned in her advance courses. She loved the Marine Corps. Sara was not only my best friend I thought of her as a sister. She was always there for me when needed her even when she was on the other side of the world. She was a loving person always thinking of her friends. I'm going to miss her very much.” -Sgt. Sonia Rodriguez, combat camera production specialist.
“Medina - We were peers and friends, but to me, you were also something to strive for -- a great photographer, a great leader, a great Marine, a great person. I consider myself lucky to have known you, both professionally and personally. Whether it was on an exercise in Korea or a beach trip with the PA/COMCAM crew, you were always an awesome addition and a lot of fun (even if you couldn't figure out how to throw a Frisbee more than five feet). I'm going to miss you, and I'll never forget you. You were and still are a friend and an inspiration. Fair winds and following seas.” -Cpl. Lena Wakayama, combat correspondent.
“Cpl. Sara Medina was my roommate. She was my sister. Medina was one of my best friends. She wasn't like any other friend I've ever known. She was authentic, loving, sassy and sweet. She was the kind of friend that would make you authentic barracks style Mexican food to cheer you up after a bad day. To me, Medina is a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime person. I feel truly blessed to have been a part of her life and she will always be a part of mine. I'll always cherish the chaotic, fun and beautiful ‘Meeller and Medina’ adventures we had. I miss her so much and I will always love her.” -Cpl. Kayla Miller, combat videographer.
“Sara was the kindest person many of us had ever met she brought happiness and a warm touch to dark or scary times in people's lives. She had more talent in one finger than most have in their entire body. She is and will forever be missed.” -Lance Cpl. Chloe Nelson, combat photographer.
“Sara was like a big sister to me… She gave me such a hard time… but she was always a good friend and mentor. Even when I would walk around with a smile on my face she always knew when something was wrong and did whatever she could to make me feel better. We were never super close but she will always be family in my heart. I would do anything for her without hesitation and if I had the chance I just wish I could’ve told her how much of a great person she truly was. She had a good heart.” -Lance Cpl. Austin Schlosser, combat photographer.
“Cpl Medina was a beautiful soul. She embodied what it is to be a Marine, photographer, and friend in the three years that I knew her. It is not to say that we didn't have our ups and downs, but she was without a doubt loyal. I am so grateful for the opportunities I had to be there for her and for her to be there for me. As a Marine, you are sometimes away from your family. Birthdays especially can be tough to experience without family. I will never forget the experience she gave me on my birthday one year and how I felt. She made me feel so special and loved. She took me out to a nice restaurant that I had wanted to go to as a surprise. It seemed like that was her life goal, to make others feel special and loved. Now, if you were in the wrong, she would not hesitate to call you out on it. She wanted to always remain professional and abide by the order. She was upfront about her opinions and had a very strong personality, yet she had a gentle way of delivering it. Medina loved her family, she consistently expressed how she wanted to take care of them and be there for them. She was a selfless person. On top of all the amazing qualities she exuded, she had a natural humor about her, gave great hugs and compassion, great fashion sense, and was sassy. I loved being her friend, and later NCO, I'm so proud of her and all she became, but I wish I could've seen more. She would've been the best mother and best wife. She wanted those things in her future. She was taken away from us too soon, but she will never leave our hearts. Sometimes Marines make the ultimate sacrifice and on top of that she was seeking to help others. In my eyes she is an angel. Semper Fidelis.” -Sgt. Christina Wheeler, combat photographer.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2015 03:54 |
| Story ID: | 164227 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | AURORA, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 3,029 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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