By SSG Emily Anderson, WTC Stratcom
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Medal of Honor recipient SFC Leroy A. Petry receives a photo and citation from Army Secretary John McHugh as Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Petry's wife, Ashley, applaud during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon.
As AW2 continues to provide top-notched assistance and to advocate for severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families, wherever they are located, regardless of military status, the proof of seeing Soldiers surviving and thriving will become more evident.
Medal of Honor recipient and AW2 Soldier SFC Leroy A. Petry—a recent example of a severely wounded Soldier surviving, adapting, and overcoming the tragic situation which caused him to lose his right hand and being shot in both legs—induction into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony hosted by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta at the Pentagon yesterday, proves life does not end once a Soldier is wounded, ill, or injured.
“To have that bullet go through both my legs and not hit any arteries or bones, just to take tissue and muscle it was, it was pretty amazing. It was a miracle,” Petry said during a news briefing at the Pentagon, last week. Petry continued by talking about two more miracles he experienced that day. One of a grenade going off about an arms distance away and walking away with only “shrapnel here and there and a prosthesis hand.”
“I was overzealous that I got two miracles in one day,” said Petry. He also said the third miracle was that the two guys that were next to him were alive, well, and that “their Families did not suffer the loss of them that day.”
One attendee at Petry’s Medal of Honor Ceremony, AW2 Director COL Greg D. Gadson said he felt very privileged to be in attendance. “It’s extremely humbling to be in the presence of leaders paying respect and tribute to SFC Petry. Members of the Cabinet, Members of Congress, a lot of people recognizing such an honor shows significance.”
“In my mind, in events like these we take time to focus on such tremendous acts which are really done every day by Soldiers and service members of all braches. They may not all turn out to be Medal of Honor events, but they highlight the sacrifices and dedication our Soldiers take,” explained Gadson.
During the Medal of Honor Ceremony, President Barack Obama also recognized SPC Christopher Gathercole, a Ranger who did not make it back from the daylight helicopter assault mission where Petry was severely wounded.
“These types of ceremonies underscore Family,” Gadson said. “It was nice to see the President recognize the brother, sister, and grandmother of the specialist because he didn’t make it and made the ultimate sacrifice, his life.
“Although we focus on the Soldiers, there’s a Family that supports that Soldier behind them. It’s a rippling effect that most don’t have appreciation for,” Gadson added.
The hardest part of the recovery and rehabilitation process may be different for everyone. It may not always be the physical, but mental aspects that play a major role in a Soldier’s progression. AW2’s dedication to providing personalized support continues to foster the long-term independence Petry and other severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families deserve.
