Florida Council presents gift to deployed reservists

Brevard County Florida Civilian-Military (CivMil) Council boardmembers, Mr. David Spain and Mr. Kendall Moore (middle and right), presented a check for $1,500 to 920th Rescue Wing Commander, Col. Steve Kirkpatrick (left), April 24 for Rescue Wing Reservists who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Twelve of the Air Force Reservists arrived home safely after completing a six-month deployment to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. The reservists originally deployed with 13 Airmen, but one team member, Senior Airman Diane Lopes, was severely wounded during a September mortar attack and evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Md. where she continues to undergo physical therapy for her injuries. Airman Lopes sent a video message to her fellow Airmen here to watch while they enjoy a welcome-home celebration at a restaurant local to Patrick Air Force base with their families.