By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, January 31, 2013
A Warrior Transition Brigade Soldier received the Purple Heart in front of Family, fellow servicemembers and Army National Capital Region leadership Jan. 24 in Wallace Theater.
Cpl. Kevin Tyler, WTB, received the honor for injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device struck a vehicle he was traveling in during a battle in Afghanistan in Sept. 2010.
Maj. Gen. Steve Jones, Joint Task Force, National Capital Region, medical commander, presented Tyler the Purple Heart during a quarterly Town Hall meeting for recovering Soldiers.
Jones applauded Tyler for recovering and redeploying after the attack.
“It’s very important that we take the time to recognize Cpl. Tyler for his service in Afghanistan,” Jones said. “It’s also important for us to recognize that there are quite a few Soldiers like Cpl. Tyler who serve, that are wounded in action and Soldier on because they want to stay with their unit just like Cpl. Tyler did.”
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action, according to purpleheart.org. It is specifically a combat decoration. Tyler, a New York native, enlisted into the Army in Sept. 2009 after a friend inspired him to pursue the career.
Tyler deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. His mission was to assist the Afghanistan National Army in establishing a secure and stable sector.
On Sept. 18, 2010, while on patrol, Tyler’s convoy was hit by a complex ambush initiated by an IED that struck his vehicle. Tyler sustained severe back pain and a concussion. Despite his injuries, Tyler finished his deployment.
“It’s a real demonstration of the dedication of the Soldiers that we have in our Army today,” Jones said. “It’s great that we take the time to recognize him.”
Tyler arrived at Fort Belvoir after his deployment and an assignment in Italy. He’s still recovering from his injuries and said Belvoir provides a relaxed and helpful environment for wounded Soldiers.
“I don’t want to disappoint anybody, my Family or my wife, I can’t let them down, so I keep trying and push on,” said Tyler. “It’s really easy going here. They give you a lot of down time to recover.”
After the Purple Heart ceremony, Jones led a Town Hall meeting for Tyler and other wounded Soldiers.
The discussion served as an opportunity for servicemembers to meet leadership within the Joint Task Medical Region. In addition to Jones, other panel members included Col. Donald R. West, Northern Regional Medical Command commander, Col. Michelle M. Fraley, National Capital Region Warrior Transition Brigade commander, Col. Gregory D. Gadson, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander, Col. Charles W. Callahan, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital commander, and Lt. Col. Carl A. Curriera, Warrior Transition Battalion commander.
The panel answered questions ranging from medicine to post updates. Jones hosts the town hall quarterly to address the concerns of Soldiers. He and other panel members encourage servicemembers to voice their thoughts.
“The comments that you offer give us an opportunity to make sure that the government is in a position to maintain that solemn oath of providing outstanding warrior care,” West said.
