NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Chris Cassidy returned to Brooke Army Medical Center with gifts from outer space Sept. 22.
Visiting for the third time, Cassidy, former Navy SEAL brought back mementos that flew on board the Space Station to its recipients at the Center for the Intrepid. The items returned included a unit patch, a Purple Heart medal, a BAMC T-shirt and a BAMC medallion.
He first visited BAMC in March 2012 and then made his second visit via teleconference from the Space Station in May 2013 while he was orbiting 260 miles above Earth at a speed of 17,000 miles an hour.
"It was amazing to have Cassidy visit us via teleconference last May when he showed us the items he had taken into space for us, to make that trip and to see the weightless environment was pretty amazing," said Col. Kyle Campbell, BAMC commander, as he spoke of Cassidy's virtual visit in the auditorium of the hospital.
He also stressed the conversation he had with Cassidy prior to the ceremony that "the key message is not about facilities or about the braces we [CFI] make, but it's about the men and women we put into those braces that makes the difference."
"These are the men and women that represent less than one percent of the American public that have stepped forward, raised their right hand and said they will defend our Nation," he said. "I thank our wounded warriors and Chris Cassidy for being here to honor these men and women and taking the time to return the objects from space."
Cassidy, who is known for his huge support for the wounded warriors, opened the floor with a joke. "All of your rehab would be whole lot easier in zero gravity," he said, chuckling with the warriors and staff. He went on to say that returning to BAMC and seeing the progress of the warriors he met two years ago was exciting and amazing.
"My personal mission is to share the excitement and enthusiasm [of my experiences in space] with every group I can, particularly for me to be back here at BAMC to share them with you guys," he said.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Ben Eberle, who met Cassidy in 2012, was the first to receive his item. An avid flight space enthusiast, Eberle was astonished of his returned unit patch he gave a couple of years ago.
"This is such an honor, it really is," said Eberle as he received his unit patch plaque from Cassidy. "This means so much to me. This is out of this world." Eberle also gave Cassidy, with his unit's consent, the last unit patch to show him appreciation for the support he gave to his unit when he took the patch with him to space.
"Thank you. Your support is so much appreciated from me and my unit," said Eberle.
Eberle lost his right hand and both legs when he was hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan while on a dismounted patrol in Nov. 2011.
The Purple Heart Medal was also returned to the Military Order of the Purple Heart members followed by the returned BAMC T-shirt worn in space and a BAMC medallion, which floated weightless in space.
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