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.

Florida Council presents gift to deployed Air Force Reservists

Published April 29, 2008
By Capt. Cathleen Snow
920th Rescue Wing

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Brevard County Florida Civilian-Military (CivMil) Council presented a check for $1,500 to 920th Rescue Wing Commander, Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, April 24 for Rescue Wing Reservists who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Twelve Air Force Reservists arrived home safely February 29 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. Airman Lopes was awarded the Purple Heart and continues to undergo physical therapy for her injuries.

The returnees are all members of the 920th Security Forces Flight. While deployed, their duties in Iraq included perimeter security, flightline security and quick-reactionary-force measures.

The Reservists will enjoy a welcome home celebration with their families at a local restaurant with the CivMil gift.

The CivMil Foundation was established in 1999 with a purpose to raise and expend funds exclusively for charitable, benevolent, and education purposes for military and civilian causes to further strengthen community ties.

For more information on the organization, visit their web site at www.civmil.com.