FORT SILL, OK- Over 65 Soldiers, staff and family members of Reynolds Army Health Clinic gathered together at the Fort Sill Buffalo Soldier Trail on Mar. 28 to participate in a two and a half mile walk to honor Lt. Col. David Cabrera and Staff Sgt. Christopher Newman, the first Behavioral Health Service Members Killed in Action in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2011. Held annually at various military installation around the world since 2012, this was the inaugural memorial walk for Reynolds Army Health Clinic and Fort Sill.
Two officers at Reynolds have a special connection to the memorial walk and worked to bring the tradition to Fort Sill. Capt. Alexandra Noack and 1st Lt. Kathryn Frank share a common bond with Lt. Col. Cabrera as they are both clinical social workers the same medical specialty as Cabrera.
“As behavioral health professionals, it is important to recognize and honor the healthcare professionals who have come before us. Commemorating them is not only a sign of respect, but it also provides a sense of hope for each of us, that we will not be forgotten,” Noack said. “As a fellow social workers Lieutenant Frank and I wanted to honor not only Lt. Col. Cabrera but others in the Behavioral Health field.”
At points along the route memorial boards were set up to highlight the life and career of each of the memorialized individuals. The start and end point of the walk honored Lt. Col Cabrera with the second board honoring Staff Sgt. Newman further down the trail. Two other Soldiers were on the trail as well. The third board honored Maj. Jose Velazquez who was a social work officer that was killed in a vehicle accident earlier this year just outside of Fort Drum. The final board highlighted Spc. Jose Perez who was a combat medic assigned to the 75th Field Artillery Brigade here at Fort Sill who died in Iraq in 2003.
“We know that there are many other Soldiers who have sacrificed everything for our freedoms,” Frank said. “We wanted to honor two that have a connection to those that are walking here today. March is Social Work Month and we want to hold this annual memorial walk to remember all Military Social Workers who have lost their lives not only in the line of duty but at home as well.”
“We were honored by the turn out and support from our Reynolds family and especially our great Behavioral Health team we have here,” added Noack. “We look forward to the Memorial Walk next year and hope we have an even better turn out.”
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