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Something To Be Thankful For... Montpelier Citizen Soldier Retu
This Thanksgiving, central Vermont does have many things to be proud and thankful for, especially in the exceptional people who humbly and unassumingly live and work among us.
One such person is Patty Hartman, 54, of Montpelier. She is a mother, a companion, and a computer programmer for the state of Vermont. She is also a Lt. Col. in the Air National Guard assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing (medical group) that is aligned with FEMA Region I.
Late last year, Hartman got “her call” (one of only two from Vermont) and was deployed on January 3 to the 447th EMEDS Squadron at Victory Base outside Baghdad. Her mission was to provide prevention, primary and medical assistance to the coalition forces. She also volunteered at the Iraqi Community Medical Operations Clinic.
For Patty, who had joined the service at 18 and put in eight years of active duty, and had been on reserve since 1980 (and with Vermont Air Guard since 1987), the call wasn’t unexpected but the hurry to get everything at home setup was the big challenge.
Hartman’s companion Kobe Kelley, a retired Navy man himself, is very supportive. Leaving her two children behind, 14-year-old Anna and 19-year-old Matthew, is more upsetting.
“Once you start to deploy, you are so busy (from 7am to midnight) you don’t have time to think about much except the mission. I was joined by incredible people from all over New England and the Midwest,” explains Hartman, adding “I worked with strangers for four months and made friends for life.”
The degree of professionalism in the squadron was “amazing” and Hartman said “You soon learn to rely on each other.”
During her four months, Victory Base was bombed seven times, and once she had to dive under a table for protection from a nearby blast.
Once, Hartman was able to assist three young Iraqi children who were burned to receive treatment and eventually they were transported to a U.S. Shriners Hospital on a donated plane.
“I learned that just like everyone else, Iraqis love their kids like we do.”
“The support we got from private U.S. groups and young students was truly amazing and meant so much. One of my sisters sent 50 boxes of clothing and supplies for the Iraqi Community Medical Operations Clinic.”
Thanks also to modern telephone technology, Patty was able to keep in touch with her family. “I missed everyone’s (Anna, Matthew and Kobe) birthday in those four months but at least I could call in their birthday wishes.”
“Most of the time we slept in offices and waited for airovacs to arrive. Everything was very efficient and professional. I loved the people I worked with.”
“The real work and heroes were the young kids - the U.S. servicemen and women who were out doing the fighting and peace-keeping - they’re the ones that deserve the pat on the back,” believes Hartman.
The saddest part of the mission was to see the remains of fallen soldiers arriving to be sent home. “It was absolutely horrible. The service procession was very touching, but it really hit hard.”
To everyone’s relief and joy, Lt. Col. Patty Hartman arrived home on Mother’s Day and rejoined her family, and shortly thereafter resumed her work and “civilian life.”
“It was a very positive experience. I would go back if not for leaving my young daughter,” states Hartman. “I was proud to be there and help out.”
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