Military Awards

On Sunday Trent and his buddy SGT Parson were asked to come out to the unit for something. They asked them to bring their family as well. We left church early so we could make it out to Camp Williams by 3:30. We got there with plenty of time to spare and it true military fashion waited, and waited, and waited....for like a hour and a half. Both Trent and Parson's 6 years were up in May, so they don't drill every month any more (yipee!) and so we had to wait for final formation for the awards to be presented. Both Chris (SGT Parson) and Trent were awarded the same thing. Trent and Chris have become great friends over the course of 6 years that they've spent together. Often riding out to drill together, they also did a lot for the unit together.....they had a few nick names in the unit, one of which is the twins (the other is fat boys). So it seemed very appropriate that they receive their awards together. I didn't get very many pictures as my camera was dying AND I got the honor of presenting Trent's awards to him and pinning my husband's ribbon on to him. That was such an honor for me! Oh...maybe you want to know what he was awarded.....The Meritorious Service Medal. If you want to learn more about it go here. I truly didn't know much about it, and when I asked Trent about it he kinda just shrugged it off, but it truly is a honor to receive this medal!

I don't know if you can see it very well or not...but they are both trying so hard not to crack up. When 1st SGT Sterling was reading the award, he was having the HARDEST time not dying in hysterical laughter. Trent, Parson, and Sterling (aka Crazy) have worked together for many years, in many different roles. 1st SGT is a newer role for Crazy and both Trent and Chris have teased him about it....that and he's really short...and he's bald...oh did I mention that he's crazy?! They have great respect for him and I know Trent misses working with him and his commander, CPT Steffel. His unit is getting ready to deploy again in January and after the ceremony CPT Steffel and SGT Sterling came to me and Sarah (Chris's wife) and asked us what it would take for them to take those two with them over the "pond" Sorry boys, you can't have him! There is no amount of money on this earth that is worth having my husband gone for another 18 months! Trent respects these men so much that he's actually considered going with them....that's when I ask to have the divorce papers handy :) I never want to have to repeat what we went through while he was in Iraq. Anyway....sorry this is getting long.

Just a little about his medal that he got...he was awarded it for "meritorious service in the performance of your duties as a Combat Medic Instructor Non Commissioned Officer and Squad Leader. Your ability to work independently together with your sound judgment [that's where Crazy lost it] played a critical role in the success of the unit and the Combat Medic Transition Team. Your conduct and enthusiasm [once again trying SO hard to stop laughing] toward your leadership responsibilities brings great credit to the unit, the Non Commissioned Officer Corps, and the Utah National Guard, and the United States Army." That was taken directly off the award he received.

And this is his other award, presented from his unit, the 144th ASMC (area support medical company) We are so proud of you Trent and the service that you gave!

This is the medal he received:

Meritorious Service Medal Awarded by United States of America Type Medal Eligibility Military Personnel Only Status Currently Awarded Precedence Next (higher) Purple Heart Equivalent Meritorious Service Medals: Joint Service, Branch Service Next (lower) Air Medal Meritorious Service Medal ribbon