Photo By Jeanine Mezei | Carol DiRaimondo and Col. Eric S. Edwards, Evans Army Community Hospital commander,...... read more read more
They make the visit to Fort Carson every two years – a trip to see how their son is remembered and celebrate his memory.
Carol and Tony DiRaimondo still live in Simi Valley, California, where their son, Sgt. Michael DiRaimondo, grew up and enlisted in the Army in 2001 with dreams of becoming a firefighter paramedic. On Sept. 27, 2018, Fort Carson was honored to receive them at the DiRaimondo Family Medicine Clinic.
“This is an incredibly important event because we take a minute to reflect on the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Col. Eric S. Edwards, commander, Evans Army Community Hospital. “He was a remarkable individual.”
Filled with determination, a selfless heart and a caring spirit, Sgt. DiRaimondo was the embodiment of an outstanding Soldier who made his family proud.
“He is always around us,” said Carol DiRaimondo, who fondly remembers Michael and the presence he exuded. “It’s been difficult, it’ll be 15 years in January. We remember the Michael when he was little, the Michael when he was growing up and the Michael who wanted to be in the military.”
Michael DiRaimondo was stationed at Fort Carson and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2003 with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Determined to become a flight medic, he completed his training right away and joined the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) during his deployment.
“If there was a high time in his life, it was the day he earned his wings,” said Tony DiRaimondo, Michael’s father and a veteran who served during the Vietnam War. “He always knew what he wanted to be, to help people in need.”
His lifesaving actions during a downed CH-47 Chinook accident in November 2003 were recognized, during which he treated 13 injured Soldiers and was later awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and the Air Medal with Valor. He died Jan. 8, 2004, near Fallujah, Iraq, alongside eight other Soldiers when onboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a MedEvac flight.
In May 2004, Fort Carson named its newest medical facility the “Sgt. Michael Anthony DiRaimondo Troop Medical Clinic,” which later expanded and was renamed the “DiRaimondo Family Medicine Clinic.”
“I like to think that Michael watches us as we do our daily duties and I feel like we use our healing hands and compassionate hearts to see every Soldier,” said Erin Smith, the clinical nurse in charge of the facility who has met with Carol and Tony (DiRaimondo) during three visits. “They just want to know we are taking care of Michael, of his legacy. We hope we make them proud every day.”
The DiRaimondo family presented the clinic team with a framed picture of Michael in a helicopter during his deployment to Iraq, in which he is seen with an endearing grin during the height of his life.
“We’re extremely grateful for the both of you being here today and your constant communication and contact with Fort Carson, especially our great medical providers,” said Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen, deputy commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. “Mike comes from three generations of veteran service so we are honored to have you here, and we’re grateful for all that you do for our nation.”
Michael DiRaimondo’s memory lives on with The Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in January 2004 by Carol and Tony that raises money to provide scholarships to individuals in southern California who want to become paramedics. In April 2004, the Military Order of the Purple Heart also named its Conejo Valley chapter in California the “Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter.”
In keeping Michael DiRaimondo’s memory alive, Tony and Carol plan to continue celebrating his life and service here at Fort Carson.
“As long as we live, we plan on coming back here,” said Tony DiRaimondo.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2018 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 296086 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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