Naval Hospital personnel return from deployments

A poster bearing this checklist was the first thing that Lt. Joseph Brown saw as he stepped into the Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) concourse Feb. 1. Brown was one of seven Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Branch Health Clinic medical personnel coming home from a seven-month deployment with Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Kuwait.

Holding the sign was his wife, Lt. Accursia Baldasano. Brown's 17-month-old son, Tye was in the arms of Naval Hospital Jacksonville Executive Officer (XO) Capt. David Miller. The XO, other hospital staff and some very excited family members were on hand to welcome the Sailors home. In this case, the XO had the added pleasure of wishing one of those Sailors Happy Birthday. Brown was celebrating his 38th that day - probably a birthday he'll always remember.

Baldassano said she was definitely ready to have her husband home. While he was away she had single-handedly prepared for their impending transfer to Guam. This was in addition to fulfilling her present duties as a nurse in the hospital's Endoscopy Suite and being a devoted mom. When Brown left, Tye wasn't walking yet and the family still had a house. Now, they are temporarily living out of the family RV and his wife is more than ready for Brown to resume his duties as dad and husband. Brown seems more than up for the job.

Lt. Accursia Baldassano (holding poster) lights up as her husband, Lt. Joseph Brown enters the airport concourse after seven months deployed to Kuwait. With her (left to right) are Naval Hospital Jax Executive Officer Capt. David Miller holding Brown's son, Tye and Capt. Denise Graham, director, Ancillary Services. Photo by HN Leeann Lowman

Baldassano wasn't alone in her joy at having a spouse return home. Despite the rigors of deployment, hours of air travel and being outfitted in those head-turning desert cammies, Cmdr. Elizabeth Jensen, after a big hug and kiss, was greeted by her husband, Carlos with the words "You look sexy!" Jensen is a nurse practitioner in Naval Hospital Jacksonville's Family Medicine Department.

Johanna Adkinson was there to welcome home her husband, HM1 David Adkinson who served as a general duty corpsman at EMF Kuwait. At the naval hospital, he works for the director of nursing services. Johanne said it had been a long seven months.

David had experienced deployment before during the first gulf war but this was a new experience for Johanna as it was his first since they have been together. She said such a separation is difficult for the spouse and their children. The Adkinson children, Thalia, Rachelly and Johanna were in school that afternoon but Johanna said they were very anxious to see David. She summed up her own feelings saying, "I'm very happy he's home."

Cmdr. Elizabeth Jensen is welcomed home with hugs and roses by her husband, Carlos. Photo by Loren Barnes

Also on hand to welcome home these Sailors were members of the Patriot Guard Riders of Jacksonville who saluted the Sailors as they exited the airport.

The Kuwait group was one of two teams to return from supporting the war on terrorism. On Feb. 2, 18 hospital personnel were greeted by a crowd of excited family members and friends at the NAS Jacksonville Air Terminal. They were the latest group to complete a five-month tour delivering medical care at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detainee hospital. The hospital has been providing the bulk of the staff at the facility for over a year now and that mission continues.

HM2 Wilmary Billups sheds some tears as she's reunited with her son, Donovan upon return from seven long months deployed to Kuwait. Billups works in the Naval Hospital Jacksonville's Radiology Department. Photo by Richard Wiggins

Because of the selflessness of our Navy medical personnel and willingness of their families to endure, Navy medicine is able to support our forces around the world. Because of them when the call "Corpsman Up" goes out, the loved ones of America's bravest can rest assured that the very best of medical care is on the way.