62nd MED BDE CSM: The HHC, 62nd Med BDE spent months training for our deployment. We conducted a casing ceremony, flew to Af-ghanistan, had another ceremony with the unit we replaced, then we got to work. Every day we deal with the stressors of life in a combat environment. Yet, we are not the only ones affected by deployment. There are the families left behind who continue with their own lives and daily tasks minus a valued family member. They support the deployed and support each other, bearing as great a burden as their loved ones. Then there are the Soldiers who picked up the slack when we left. Not only do they continue to perform their jobs, they picked up the tasks that we once performed. Our deployment is a team effort that would not be possible without everyone doing his and her part. I submit that the entire 62nd Med Team is fighting the war in Afghanistan, not just those of us in theater ... and I thank all of you for watching our backs. CSM Rogers

62nd Med BDE Commander Hello from sunny, dusty, and breezy Bagram Airfield. We had a great right seat/left seat ride with the 30th MEDCOM, who took very good care of us while we came into country. Our Transfer of Authority ceremony went very well, with our Sol-diers standing tall and looking great in formation despite the hot morning. You’d be proud to see your 62nd Med Soldiers over here. The teamwork is outstanding and morale is high. The food is good, and there is a lot of camaraderie as we eat chow to-gether, walk to and from work together, and challenge each other during PT. Although we miss all of you back home, the days are busy and focused on our mission to save lives, reduce suffering, and protect the health of the force. Have a safe and enjoyable summer. COL Schneider

Welcome and Farewell: the Army’s Natural Cycle SPC Amanda J. Donatelli

Under a canvas blanket, we gathered for the Transfer of Authority from the 30th Medical Command to the 62nd Medical Brigade. Ever so proud we stood to wel-come our new mission, our beginning, in this foreign land. The time has come for yet another transformation. As one commanding unit departs, another rises to the occasion, standing in anticipation for the task at hand. On a concrete surface there are two formations. The incoming 62nd Medical Brigade, Proud and Steadfast, is mirrored by the 30th MEDCOM. The soldiers are rigid, eyes forward; stoic. In the background an Army band is welcoming the many guests in attendance. The feel of change and excitement linger in the dry air. As the se-quence of events unfolds, there is a quiet enthusiasm amongst the participants. COL Nishimura and CSM King march in step to the stage. They are intently and gingerly casing their colors for the long journey home. As their col-ors prepare for departure, our colors prepare for the mis-sion ahead. COL Schneider and CSM Rogers uncase our colors with precision and zeal. SPC Harrison maintains his composure as he stands unyielding to the unventilated area. He stands firm as his hand holds a precious ornament: the guidon. Secur-ing the premises are our Guardian Angels; Soldiers who dawn their gear and prepare for any event that may come. As the ceremony continues, MG Richardson imparts words of wisdom and support to the departing and arriving Sol-diers. His words eloquently spoken of the leadership among the geographically dispersed. COL Schneider’s re-marks of the Army Values are inspiring. She has guided us into this deployment with poise and eagerness. We have accepted the challenge.

HHC, 62nd Medical Brigade Family Readiness Group

July 2013

Hello and greetings from Bagram, It is my honor and pleasure to address you as the 1SG of HHC 62nd MED BDE/TF MED-A. The Commander and I are proud of the motivation and enthusiasm each Soldier has shown in our transition to TF MED-A. From the professionalism shown doing the left right seating to the discipline and bearing demonstrated during the Transfer of Authority (TOA) cere-mony. As we undertake this tremendous and important mission it is important to remember and thank you, the family and loved ones in the rear. Without your continued support and encouragement none of this would be possi-ble. On behalf of the Command team we thank you for all you do for the Soldiers of TF MED-A. “Proud 7 Out”

HHC, 62D MED BDE arrived to Bagram eager to assume the TF MED-A mission. Each and every Soldier has ex-hibited strong professionalism, situational awareness and a positive attitude during this transition. I have no doubt these actions, along with the ongoing support from our family and friends of the Rear-D team will carry us through a successful deployment. The 1SG and I are proud to be leading the HHC team and look forward to hearing about the great things you continue to do state-side. As you enjoy your FRG BBQ, please know we ap-preciate your efforts and your support to the Soldiers of HHC, 62D MED BDE/TF MED-A. “Proud 6 Out”

The Honor of a Lifetime SPC Amanda J. Donatelli

The room is small yet thankfully air conditioned. Soldiers begin to gather with exchanges of smiles and good mornings. Today is a day for history; it’s the 4th of July. Thoughts of the BBQ yet to come are on the forefront of our minds. Effortlessly we begin to take our places in formation. The room exudes a glow and whispers of antici-pation fill the tight enclosure. We stand shoulder to shoul-der waiting for the familiar call to Attention. As COL Schneider and CSM Rogers walk into the room, there is a confidence about them. They walk proud and their heads held high. The soldiers in this formation are not grim, oh no, on the contrary; we are beaming. CPT Goulet hastens around the room capturing priceless mo-ments. For some of us, this will be our first honor, while others, this will be their fourth or fifth. No matter, for this moment, we are here together, receiving an everlasting memento of our service to the motherland. December 19th, 1942 we were constituted as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 62nd Medical Brigade as the 62nd Medical Battalion Corps. Our colors are the deep maroon and ever so brilliant white. They rep-resent the Army Medical Department to which we serve. Split diagonally to reference the unit’s transition from a Medical Group to a Medical Brigade. The strong gold bor-der is a reminder of the excellence and valor we portray. The Red Cross encompasses a fleur-de-lis. The Red Cross a symbol of the aid and comfort we give willingly and as our duty. The fleur-de-lis, and to me the direct rep-resentation of where we began, indirectly refers to our heri-tage of service during WW II from Normandy to Northern France to the Rhineland. As I look about the room, and as a first time recipi-ent of this honor, I can’t help but smile. I have become a part of history. I look to my right and there beside me are the soldiers who also exude radiance. Their quirky smiles are not discreet. SPC Gamboa and SPC Washington too are first time recipients of this honor. COL Schneider and CSM Rogers go about the ranks and deliver a solid hand-shake and a thank you to every soldier. Not ever so gently, COL Schneider delivers a firm slap to our shoulders leav-ing a gift. I am no longer a slick sleeve. I am now in pos-session of a 62nd Medical Brigade patch on my right sleeve; signifying the service I provide here in Afghanistan. We are Proud and Steadfast. We are America’s Medics. We are the 62nd Medical Brigade. And on this day July 4th, 2013, we received our Deployment Patch.

HHC Command Team CPT Brenda Sumner

1SG Shaun Miles

62nd Med BDE- Spotlight Soldier SPC Derick Breznicki

SPC Breznicki was chosen to deploy with the 62nd Medi-cal Brigade as part of Task Force Medical Afghanistan (TF MED-A) because of his demonstrated abilities, competence, and enthusiastic attitude during several training rotations while working with the Clinical Operations section. Since arriving in theater, SPC Breznicki has taken over the duties of TF MED-A Air Operations- responsibility nor-mally reserved for a senior NCO. He manages all intra-theater air travel for TF MED-A personnel, coordinating with several different services and agencies to ensure a seam-less and joyful travel experience for his clients. SPC Breznicki has also volunteered to compete in the unit’s first Soldier of the Month Board being held in theater and will begin taking college courses this month in prepara-tion to become a Physician Assistant (PA). He has sought additional volunteer opportunities, such as teaching English to Afghan children as part of the Cat in the Hat program, col-laborating with the Korean Hospital to teach English, in con-junction with enhancing his own Korean language skills. He is also seeking opportunities to work at Craig Joint Theater Hospital in order to maintain and improve his medical skills. SPC Breznicki just got married three weeks prior to de-ploying to his wife, Juliet, who currently resides in S. Korea and will join him upon his return. His favorite food at the Din-ing Facility on Bagram is salad and he enjoys working out when not on duty. His personal motto is “Everything happens for a reason,” as it has helped him overcome difficulties throughout his life. SPC Breznicki represents the best of TF MED-A!

What it Truly Means to Celebrate Independence Day SPC Amanda J. Donatelli

The sweltering heat is full force. SPC Breznicki is at the grill turning over an array of delicious meats. The savory aroma culminates in the air. Decorations sporadically yet intentionally placed throughout our humble abode. Chitter chatter and pleasantries are exchanged among the fellow soldiers. There is laughing and happiness as a surprise has been pre-sented. We have ice! Today is Independence Day. We are here away from our families but in this deployment have created a new one. We share stories and laughter even though we are in a place full of turmoil. We are here to fight for our liberties and our freedom while helping those achieve theirs. There may not be fireworks and the cooling delicious taste of a beer, but here we are satis-fied with the BBQ that has brought us all together. Soldiers sit around the few tables we are fortunate enough to have acquired and simply enjoy the meaning of freedom. Corn Hole, Darts and Golf are played under the shade. We are hiding from a relentless sun. We appreciate the time to come out of our hectic offices, take a few swings with a club, savor a juicy hot dog, and engage in fun conversation. We are diligent workers but today is special. It is the day our forefathers fought and won our liberties we so enjoy today. While our 4th of July was a simple a one, we have come to understand the meaning of the holiday. Camaraderie: the spirit of goodwill and fellowship that exists between soldiers to keep us upbeat in a time of war. Here at Task Force Medical-Afghanistan, 62nd Medical Brigade, you will find it three-fold. We thank you for your love, support and well wishes!

Rear-D Commander Rear D would like to send our best wishes to the forward element and to families with Soldiers downrange. On 25 July 2013, the FRG will hold a BBQ at Russell’s landing. On 15 August the FRG team will host a VTC FRG meeting with both the forward and rear elements, and we are currently trying to lock in our FRG contact roster. For anyone not receiving FRG information, please contact myself or my wife, Alexis, at 541-914-9102 or via email at joshua.l.chappelle.mil@mail.mil/ c.alexis.galvan@gmail.com. and we will make sure they get added to the contact roster. Best of luck and see you soon. 1LT Chappelle

Happy Birthday to ALL our July Babies!

-Rear- SPC Dublin– 11 July SPC Acuff– 13 July PV2 Gilson– 14 July SPC Pazmino– 24 July SFC Robinson– 25 July

-Forward- MSG Walters– 16 July SGT Joachin– 20 July 1SG Miles– 22 July SGT Kaneakalau– 27 July LTC Harper– 29 July SFC Warwick– 31 July