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Story by: Emily Greene
Military Health System Strategic Communications
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - “I looked up and saw firefighters and soldiers on the roof of the Pentagon, amid smoke and fire, unfurling our flag. It was then that I knew our nation was still there; I knew we would be strong and move forward as one.”
On September 11, 2001, Army Maj. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, U.S. Army deputy surgeon general and 23rd chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, was working at the Pentagon when she heard a loud booming noise.
“I said, we’ve been hit. This is it,” Horoho recounted in an interview published in the memoir Soldiers to the Rescue, The Medical Response to the Pentagon Attack.
Moments before, she had watched the second plane strike the World Trade Center in New York City on television and immediately prepared herself for the worst.
Throughout the rest of that day, as she led efforts to provide medical relief to those injured in the attack on the Pentagon, Horoho said she was reminded of the inherent strength and character of her countrymen. Ten years later, she still holds vivid memories of the day.
“My belief in our country was re-enforced, as people pulled together in the midst of tragedy to do what needed to be done and to support one another,” Horoho said. “I knew our world would probably never be the same; the attackers had tried to take away our freedom and everything it means to be an American. But, this is something others may not understand about Americans; despite all our differences we Americans will always unite in times like this.”
While the fires raged and smoke filled the Pentagon, Horoho said she was proud to be part of a team of people helping to care for the injured.
“It was wonderful how quickly people pitched in and just started working. The response of medical people was tremendous. We had physicians from Walter Reed, Bethesda, all civilian hospitals in the area, as well as students from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,” she said.
Looking back, Horoho’s intuition about the impact of that day has proven correct. The world has changed. Within the military medical community there have been dramatic changes and developments in health care before, during and after combat.
“I would say, in almost every facet of health care we have learned lessons on and off the battlefield,” Horoho said.
Horoho said huge strides been made throughout the system, from readiness training and prevention to trauma and rehabilitation. Just as important, a diverse medical team including active duty, reserve and National Guard service members as well as civilians has worked in concert to constantly improve the quality of care provided to service members and their families worldwide, she said.
“When we say we will never leave a fallen comrade we really mean it,” Horoho affirmed. “We learn something every day and we will always look for ways to improve.”
Currently serving in Afghanistan, Horoho said she is surrounded by poignant reminders of the events of 9/11.
“Growing up in my military career I never thought I’d be in Afghanistan,” she said. “Being here brings home memories of that day. To me this is an amazing opportunity to face so much evil and to turn it into tremendous good with all that is being accomplished in this country.”
As she, alongside the rest of the nation, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, Horoho said she remembers the day as one which brought out the very best of America. She said she is exceedingly proud to be working alongside today’s service members.
“Seeing so many young men and women fighting the hard fight to make a difference in the world is, for me, a very humbling opportunity,” she said. “We could not be more proud of our medical team – reserves, guardsmen and civilians – who have shown such dedication to supporting our warfighters and their families. My hope is that this 9/11 we celebrate being Americans and our strength as a nation.”
Horoho has been nominated for the position of commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Command/the surgeon general, U.S. Army.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2011 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 76759 |
| Location: | FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 521 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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