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Nurse, airman proud of supporting others by Cindy Abole Public Relations Rick Bennett loves what he does in the Neurology clinic.   Each month for the past 24 years, Master Sgt. Bennett has exhibited that same devotion and commitment to his job and patients as a flight medic assisting with missions and the Air Force Reserve Command’s 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Charleston Air Force Base.   Sgt. Rick and Julie Bennett Rick, a traditional reservist, worked various missions throughout his career from Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm to support for missions in Somalia and Haiti. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Rick joined a parade of activated service men and women—many from MUSC—to work with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to support the nation’s continuing war on terrorism. Starting in 2003, he served 20 months with his unit assisting with the combat aeromedical evacuation of seriously injured troops from the battlefield to critical care hospitals in Europe and the United States. At the time of his call-up, Rick and wife, Julie Benke-Bennett, Division of Endocrinology, had been married less than three years. Julie’s role as a military airman’s wife was very new. She eventually found strength and reassurance from family, friends and co-workers, plus the 315th Reserve Wing family.      Rick’s work took him to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, which serves as the hub for combat aeromedical evacuations from Iraq, areas around the Middle East and the United States. Like most deployed soldiers, airmen and seamen, he found it a great comfort to be able to receive regular communications from home—usually a card, e-mail or phone call. At one time, Julie had no communication with Rick for almost 10 days.   “I got worried,” Julie said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like for soldiers trying to communicate with loved ones from the battlefields. It’s got to be pretty rough.”   Julie and family members regularly mailed packages to Rick, who customarily shared its contents with his buddies. She packed him some practical items like toiletries, wet wipes, gum/candy, homemade goods, magazines and toilet paper, as well as Frisbees, handheld games and other small toys.      Last Christmas, Rick was one of four recipients to receive a homemade holiday card created and signed by MUSC employees remembering deployed co-workers in December. The simple act left a lasting memory for Rick and other recipients. To him, it showed that co-workers cared and thought of him even as he continued his mission thousands of miles away. Support the Deployee Tree Project Now the MUSC community has a chance to help make a difference for fellow employees and their families who are deployed away from home this holiday season. The MUSC Holiday Deployee Tree project invites participants to take a named star from the decorated Holiday Deployee Tree located in the Children’s Hospital lobby. They may also pick up an empty 12 x 4 x 14-inch care package box and suggested packing list from the project table.   Participants will have a month to gather items and fill their care package. Some suggested items to pack include snacks (chips, nuts, crackers, cookies, etc.), candy and gum, dry condiments and quick protein foods (canned meats, energy bars or non-perishable beef jerky), toiletries, personal care items, socks, reading materials, games, puzzles and phone cards.   Once completed, participants may bring their unsealed package to the 2006 MUSC Veteran’s Day Program by 2 p.m., Nov. 9, Basic Science Building Auditorium. Following the ceremony, the Veteran’s Day committee will take the care packages and prepare them to mail out to MUSC deployed military personnel in time for the upcoming holidays.      For information about the project, call 792-0858. What to send to a deployed service member Receiving a care package from home can be a morale booster for a deployed service member. Before putting together your service member’s care package, check to see if there are restrictions on what you can send. Place items that may spill or leak in heavy plastic zipper-lock bags. Freezer bags work well and your service member will likely find other uses for the bags. Meal enhancers. Anything that can be mixed with MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), such as ramen noodles, seasoned salt, individual packets of mustard, relish, and ketchup. Quick protein. Energy bars, tuna fish, sardines, non-perishable beef jerky, or beef summer sausage. Make sure the meat is labeled USDA Beef. Snacks. Look for small, hard containers of chips, pretzels, and nuts. These are easier to carry than large containers. Avoid bags, which may burst. Candy and gum. Avoid chocolate if your service member is in a warm climate. It will melt in the heat. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, cotton swabs, shaving lotion, disposable razors, shampoo.     Friday, Sept. 29, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.