STORIES OF INTEREST

To the Editor,

            My National Guard Unit was recently activated for mobilization to Iraq.  I am also a recent college grad, and have only been working at Towson Sports Medicine, of Orthopaedic Associates since January, so on top of the natural concerns that accompany being called to duty, I worried about how my employer would react.  I knew I would need them to be flexible in the areas of hours worked and time off in order for me to set my affairs in order before my leave.  I would need time to plan my wedding, which had been set for this summer, but would have to be pushed up.  I would want to see my parents and extended family in Maine, along with my grandmother who has been ill.  In addition to my personal affairs, I had obligations as a Sergeant to keep my soldiers informed, and help them through struggles they would face during the activation.  All of this would take time and effort, and the question of how I was to get all of this done while maintaining my responsibilities at my new job made my head spin. 

            I sat down with my boss, Kevin Crowley, the day after I received the phone call from my Guard Unit to talk about these issues.  His first response was “whatever we can do to make this easier for you, just let me know.”  I immediately found my co-workers; Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, PT Aides, Tech’s, and Physicians, to be overwhelmingly helpful.  Everyone went out of their way to help me accomplish the things I needed to do.  My wife and I planned our wedding in three days, and had the most beautiful wedding we could imagine.  When we returned from our short honeymoon, I was amazed to find that my co-workers, who again, I had only known a very short time, had gone out of their way to get us an extremely considerate wedding present. 

            Shortly after the time I took off for my wedding, I was given time off to go to Maine.  I got to go to the wedding of one of my best friends, see my grandmother, and spend time with all the people important to me who I will be thinking about during my deployment.  I’m writing this letter to thank Towson Sports Medicine for making all of this possible.  I have never worked with such a wonderful group of people.  They have made a huge difference in my transition to active duty, and have relieved a tremendous amount of stress on me and my family.  And to make sure I don’t leave anyone out, I would also like to thank Dr. Schlosberg, and the staff at Eastpoint Mall Family Dentistry.  This country is made great by people who are willing to look out for one another and make the little sacrifices that make such a difference in the lives of others. 

To all of the employers, health care workers, creditors, landlords, and businesses that have gone out of the way to help those of us who have been called upon: Thank You! 

Sincerely,

Sgt. Wes Hartley