Eagle BELVOIR
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April 28, 2016
Bullet-pierced helmet returned to Soldier in ceremony at Belvoir By Amanda Stewart Staff writer On Oct. 4, 2012, Staff Sgt. Thalamus Lewis was walking along a roadway in Afghanistan with his unit, clearing the route, when insurgents fired at his head. His helmet saved his life. During a visit to Fort Belvoir April 19, Lewis was presented with that helmet, and got a chance to meet some of the people responsible for designing and producing Army combat helmets and other life-saving equipment. “We are here to thank Staff Sgt. Lewis for your bravery and courage,” said Brig. Gen. Brian Cummings, Program Executive Officer, before presenting Lewis with his bullet-pierced helmet mounted on a plaque. “Thank you very much … and you can have your helmet back,” Cummings said to cheers and applause from the standing-room only audience in the Community Center’s ballroom. At the ceremony, Capt. Alexander Dillon, Lewis’ platoon leader at the time, told the story of what happened that day. Their unit, the 41st Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan., was responsible for checking roadways and villages for hidden explosives to ensure the path was safe for vehicles carrying supplies. Normally, they began clearing routes at dusk, but, on Oct. 4, 2012, they were ordered to begin about two hours earlier than normal, Dillon said. When they entered a village along their route, they encountered enemy gunfire. “Everything happened very quickly. Ten minutes seemed like an eternity,” Dillon said. “I looked back and saw one of our Soldiers laying in the roadway.” Later, Dillon learned that Soldier was Lewis. Lewis, now with the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment out of Fort Stewart, Ga., said he lost consciousness for a brief time and, when he came to, decided not to move. “I just layed there,” he told reporters after the ceremony. “I
Up Front National Prescription Take Back Day
Belvoir participates in National Prescription Take Back Day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can drop off expired, unused or unwanted prescriptions at the Belvoir Main Exchange, 8651 John J. Kingman Road, Bldg. 2321. Info is available from James A. Peters, 703-805-1010.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting is May 12, from 1 to 2 p.m., and 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Urology Clinic, Sunrise Pavilion, 2nd floor. Spouses and partners are invited. For more information, contact Jane Hudak, 301-319-2918, jane.l.hudak.ctr@mail.mil.
2016 Army Birthday Ball
Photo by Paul Lara
Staff Sgt. Thalamus Lewis holds his protective helmet at a ceremony, April 19 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. The protective gear saved his life during a 2012 Afghanistan firefight, and was returned to him after analysis of its effectiveness. lifted my head and some instinct like nothing had happened,” Diltold me just to play possum.” lon said. That instinct, and the helmet, “I was being tough,” Lewis said, probably saved Lewis’ life, Dillon drawing laughter from the crowd said. Medics got Lewis to safety at the ceremony. and found he had a scratch on his The equipment return ceremony head, where the bullet had passed. was organized by PEO Soldier, The bullet entered his helmet on which develops personal protection the right side and exited near his and other equipment for Soldiers. ear. The ceremonies help bring a sense Dillon didn’t know at the time of closure to the Soldiers who are that a bullet had pierced his helsaved by the equipment, said Col. met. Dean M. Hoffman IV, project man“I just knew I had a ringing in my ear and a slight headache,” ager, Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment. Lewis said. “It’s healing for that Soldier Dillon said he was relieved and to be able to see the one piece of amazed to see that Lewis was OK equipment that saved his life,” after the attack. Hoffman said. “He had a little bit of blood on See LEWIS, Page A7 his forehead, but he was looking
Tickets for the 241st Army Birthday Ball celebrating “The American Soldier - Always Ready, Always Leading” go on sale at 8 a.m., Monday. The 2016 Army Birthday Ball is from 5 p.m. to midnight June 18 at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW. Soldiers in the active-duty, National Guard and Army Reserve, Army family members, Army civilians, government contractors, Army retirees and Army veterans can buy tickets. Ticket registration remains open until all tickets are sold, but tickets are expected to sell quickly. Information about ball registration and ticket prices is available from www.2016ABB.com. The ball’s helpdesk is 1-877-614-3581, or via email to helpdesk@ubt.com.
AER
The annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign is open until May 15. AER provides emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their families, mostly from donations to the program. For information about AER and how to donate, visit www.aerhq. org. Belvoir’s AER officer is Toni Cuttino, 703-805-3130, toni.m.cuttino.civ@mail.mil.