As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we invite you to reflect on its meaning and remember those who have died in service to our Nation.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Medical Corps officers go where our Nation needs us. We honor all MC officers who died while in service and highlight three Army physicians who died while serving in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
COL Brian Allgood: Orthopaedic Surgeon, killed in action on January 20, 2007 in Baghdad at age 46 in a helicopter crash while assigned to the 30th Medical Brigade.
MAJ John Pryor: Trauma Surgeon, killed in action on December 25, 2008 in Mosul at age 42 in a mortar attack while assigned to a Forward Surgical Team in the 1st Medical Detachment out of Fort Totten, NY.
MAJ Mark Taylor: General Surgeon, killed in action on March 20, 2004 in Fallujah at age 41 in a rocket attack while assigned to the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.
Reflecting on the service and sacrifice of these three Soldiers and that of the other men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice reminds us of the caliber of people we are privileged to serve with. And reminds us that our patients are deserving of the best medical care possible, whether at home or deployed. It strengthens our resolve to work tirelessly to improve our Army Health System and to collaborate to meet the challenges presented to Army Medicine in today’s volatile environment.
We thank all of our MC officers who are forward-deployed or covering the wards, EDs, and ORs over the weekend so that others may enjoy the holiday.
Combat Ready Care … This We’ll Defend