BECAUSE YOU SERVED

Welcome to the readers of NewsofDavidson.org.

My name is Staff Sergeant Bryan D. Hall (U.S. Army, Ret.). I started my Army career as an infantryman in the New York National Guard. After 9/11, I requested a transition to the regular Army and began a second phase of my military career as a medic.

As an Ophthalmology Tech at Brooke Army Medical Center, I helped treat our brave soldiers who had suffered the trauma of being injured overseas. I assisted the many trained professional military and civilian doctors at the United States military’s premier burn center. Together, we worked to save the eyesight of those who sacrificed for us after being injured from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). I also helped veterans and their families who just needed to update their glasses.

I was subsequently qualified as Combat Medic Instructor and trained thousands of young military recruits at their last qualifying station to graduate from Advanced Individual Training (AIT). I was stationed at the Soldier Medic Training Site (SMTS), Camp Bullis, Fort Sam Houston. A few of my assignments included: Moulage (the art of applying mock injuries to train Emergency Response Teams and other medical and military personnel) Instructor, Live Fire Range Safety Officer, and Land Navigation. This training environment included many simulated and real-life conditions to help make sure our soldier medics could survive and help others return home.

I retired in 2011, and after spending a little while in Texas, I came to Davidson. During my 28-year Army career I was given personal awards and commendations but I am most proud of being named the Soldier of the Year (1987) First Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment (1/69th), New York National Guard.

One of the projects that I am currently working on is the creation of a Davidson Veterans Memorial Monument. I will share news and information about that effort in this column.

I look forward to writing the stories and perspectives of the many brave men and women of all branches of service who gave up time in their lives to make sure we are safe and protected in this country with the proud name of America.

“IN HONOR OF ALL VETERANS WHO SERVED, WERE INJURED, CONTINUE TO SUFFER THE WOUNDS OF WAR, OR MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE”