345th Combat Support Hospital heads to Iraq

The ceremony featured several speakers including Brig. Gen. Margaret Wilmoth, commanding general, 332nd Medical Brigade, Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) and other city and state representatives.

Several members of the Jacksonville Jaguars and The Roar were also on hand to greet the troops.

The guest speaker for the event was retired Army Capt. Jonathon Pruden, who was one of the first improvised explosive device casualties while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and who now works for the Veteran's Administration and the Wounded Warrior Project.

"I'm here today to tell you that the sacrifices you will be making for the next year are not in vain. Whatever your views are about the war, you're here today and that makes you heroes. You are prepared to serve and sacrifice so others can live. You will profoundly impact countless lives, Iraqi and Americans. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for people like you." said Pruden.

Col. Danny Baldwin, commander, 345th Combat Support Hospital, assures family members that his Soldiers are trained and ready to deploy.

"As we were driving one day while patrolling in Iraq, the whole world suddenly exploded. When I tried to use the brakes, I realized my legs weren't working. My team got me to the closest medical unit and applied basic lifesaving techniques. I was then flown to the combat support hospital. As soon as I reached the hospital, I was rushed into surgery.

For the next 48 hours, they kept me alive and did two more surgeries to stabilize me. I also received 12 units of blood and from what I heard, there was not enough blood, so hospital staff members donated to save my life. I am forever grateful to them for donating so much of themselves," Pruden continued.

"Without the Soldiers at combat support hospital, I would not be alive today. Thanks for all that you will do. And, to the families here today, thank you so much for your sacrifices and allowing your loved ones to do so much good."

Col. Danny Baldwin, commander of the 345th Combat Support Hospital also praised his troops. "Soldiers of 345th Combat Support Hospital, you've gone and done so many big training events to get yourselves ready for this mission that we're about to go on. To our family members, I assure you that the Soldiers of 345th Combat Support Hospital are trained and ready to take care of American Soldiers and save lives and come back safely to you," he stated.

Members of the 345th Combat Support Hospital stand as dignitaries are recognized during the ceremony. The unit deployed to Iraq Sunday morning.

Brig. Gen. Margaret Wilmoth, commanding general, 332nd Medical Brigade, also praised the unit. "It's been a long year of training. You have not let anything deter you from the mission of getting to this day so you can go and take care of our wounded Soldiers," said Wilmoth. "You would not be here today without the support of your families, colleagues and your employers. The past year has only been the beginning for you are about to fulfill your commitments to our Army. You are going to provide high quality medical and nursing care to our wounded warriors. There is no higher quality in our Army."

She also stressed that the Soldiers need to write their mothers and that the families should bond together and join the family support group.

The unit drills at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at NAS Jax and is comprised of Soldiers from all over the country. "As a combat support hospital we do everything that a civilian hospital does. We have surgeons, nurses and medical support staff and do everything that a civilian hospital does. A lot of these Soldiers are volunteers who are going back for a second time. Doctors are only required to be overseas for 90 days at a time, so many are choosing to go back for a second tour," explained Maj. William Ritter, the unit's public affairs officer. "This unit mobilized in 2003 at the beginning of the war so some of these soldiers have been there before."

After the ceremony, the Soldiers spent time with their families before flying out early the next morning.