A Thank You from the United
States Aviation Battalion BCO 3-3
The United States flag is one of the nation’s most
widely recognized symbols of freedom and liberty. The stars,
a symbol of the heavens, and stripes a symbol of the rays
of light emanating from the sun, is proudly displayed on the
wall, in the lobby, at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center,
Smithtown. The flag, recently presented to hospital administration,
is also a symbol of the kindness and comfort given to U.S.
Army helicopter pilot, Steven Dermer and his unit, BCO 3-3
Attack Recon Battalion, which is the Attack Aviation Battalion
for the 3rd Infantry Division at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.
Steve is Linda Saffer’s, son-in-law. Linda was an RN
in St. Catherine Cardiac Cath Lab when Steve served as a helicopter
pilot in the US Army and was sent to Iraq. Steven has been
in the service since he was 19. He and Danielle Dermer, Linda’s
daughter, were married when Steven was stationed in Colorado
in 1992. They have three children, Scott, 13, Steven, 11,
and Patrick, 3.
Being away and missing birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries
are all part of the job for the military and their families,
but it never gets easier. The staff members in the Cardiac
Cath Lab were touched by the sacrifices made by Ms. Saffer’s
family. To make it a little easier, the Cardiac Cath Lab’s
staff sent care packages to Dermer and his unit on a regular
basis and holidays. Packages filled with foot powder, deodorant,
candy, socks, magazines and other essentials would arrive,
overflowing, for the soldiers.
The American flag was flown from their helicopter over Bagdad
in appreciation of St. Catherine’s and specifically,
for the Cardiac Cath Lab, in honor of the support that was
given to them during their tour. The flag was flown
on the day of the referendum which was a historical day in
Iraq. In appreciation and a thank you for the Cardiac Cath
Lab’s support and kindness, the troop sent the American
Flag, with their signatures, to the hospital.
“The Cardiac Cath Lab recently contributed their time
and efforts in an inspiring and an amazing display of support
to a member of the St. Catherine’s family whose son-in-law
is serving in Iraq. The letters, care packages and encouragement
they’ve given provides us with a simple reminder that
any one of us can bring hope and a smile to the men and women
of the military in their times of greatest need,” said
Sharon Kennish, Executive Director and Chief Administrative
Officer.
Caption for photo:
Left: LtoR: CW3 Steven Dermer, US Army senior
instructor helicopter pilot, and CPT Chad Stover, company
commander for the Attack Aviation Battalion 3rd Infantry Division
at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.
Right: LtoR: Nursing Director Cardiac Catheterization
Lab Donna Forte; Administrative Assistant Carol Melvin; Vice
President of Administration Philip Bruno; Carol Stirnweis
RN; Senator John Flanagan; Executive Director and Chief Administrative
Officer Sharon Kennish; Sr. Vice President and CNO Gara Edelstein;
Ray Bodnar RT, and Lorraine Hicks RN in front of the American
flag, a gift to St. Catherine’s from US Army helicopter
pilot, Steven Dermer and his unit, BCO 3-3 Attack Recon
Battalion. Not pictured: Linda Saffer, RN. |
