My Best Friend is an American Hero!
She is serving in the Iraq war right now, and you all can read this story and judge for yourself:
Article Link:
http://www.adn.com/front/story/351784.html
Medic in Alaska Guard earns Bronze Star
IRAQ: Veronica Alfaro ran through gunfire to help civilian driver.
By JAMES HALPIN
jhalpin@adn.com
Published: March 21st, 2008 04:36 AM
Last Modified: March 21st, 2008 12:09 PM
An Alaska-based soldier who rushed through a blitz of gunfire as she tried to save the lives of two civilian convoy drivers injured in Iraq received the military's fourth-highest combat award this week, according to the Alaska Army National Guard.
Spc. Veronica Alfaro, 23, of Modesto, Calif., was presented the Bronze Star Medal for Valor in a ceremony Wednesday in Iraq, the Guard said. The award was given to her by Vice President Dick Cheney.
Alfaro, a combat medic and driver with Bravo Company, 297th Support Battalion, was confronted by heavily armed insurgents Jan. 15 when driving a gun truck as an escort to the civilian convoy on the main U.S. supply route between Baghdad and Balad, Iraq, the Guard said.
The ambush came just after midnight, according to the award citation.
STRATEGIC DRIVING
Four machine guns lit up the night, with small-arms fire bursting out across the flat landscape from positions concealed behind brush.
Alfaro turned into the fire to protect some of the civilian drivers and give her gunner a shot at the attackers, according to the Guard. A barrage of bullets pelted her vehicle in the process.
She wasn't hit, but the civilian driver of the vehicle ahead of her was. Alfaro grabbed some medical supplies and sprinted to the position, more than 50 yards away from her own, despite the persisting onslaught. Members of Alfaro's crew reported seeing bullets kicking up dust at her feet and tracer rounds whizzing past her head as she ran, the Guard said.
When she reached the wounded driver, she used her body as a shield as she tried to help him, though he later died from his injuries. Moments later, a report of another wounded civilian driver came over the radio, leading Alfaro to hop into a gun truck and rush to the position, where she saved that driver's life, according to the Guard.
"Spc. Alfaro's courage under fire is exceptional," Bravo Company commander Capt. Joshua Shrader, of Juneau, said in a written statement. "She helps make this hostile environment a little safer through her actions and willingness to help protect everyone around her."
Alfaro first joined up with the California Army National Guard in March 2005, then applied to be transferred to the Alaska Guard in 2007 when she learned the unit would be deploying to Iraq, the Guard said. Her unit, based out of Fort Richardson, is scheduled to return in mid-April.
Also, the article was misprinted, shes getting the Silver Star of Valor instead, which i guess no one has received since WWII. Im SO proud of her, but still blown away at her putting her life at risk for others. Very admirable. I cant wait for her to come home.. I love and miss you veronica!!!
Spc. Veronica Alfaro stands next to the light medium tactical vehicle gun truck she was driving on Jan. 15 in Iraq when her convoy was ambushed.
Veronica and I as Bill and Ted for Halloween.
Vero and I before the first SG burlesque tour.
primping ourselves before new years eve one year..
She is serving in the Iraq war right now, and you all can read this story and judge for yourself:
Article Link:
http://www.adn.com/front/story/351784.html
Medic in Alaska Guard earns Bronze Star
IRAQ: Veronica Alfaro ran through gunfire to help civilian driver.
By JAMES HALPIN
jhalpin@adn.com
Published: March 21st, 2008 04:36 AM
Last Modified: March 21st, 2008 12:09 PM
An Alaska-based soldier who rushed through a blitz of gunfire as she tried to save the lives of two civilian convoy drivers injured in Iraq received the military's fourth-highest combat award this week, according to the Alaska Army National Guard.
Spc. Veronica Alfaro, 23, of Modesto, Calif., was presented the Bronze Star Medal for Valor in a ceremony Wednesday in Iraq, the Guard said. The award was given to her by Vice President Dick Cheney.
Alfaro, a combat medic and driver with Bravo Company, 297th Support Battalion, was confronted by heavily armed insurgents Jan. 15 when driving a gun truck as an escort to the civilian convoy on the main U.S. supply route between Baghdad and Balad, Iraq, the Guard said.
The ambush came just after midnight, according to the award citation.
STRATEGIC DRIVING
Four machine guns lit up the night, with small-arms fire bursting out across the flat landscape from positions concealed behind brush.
Alfaro turned into the fire to protect some of the civilian drivers and give her gunner a shot at the attackers, according to the Guard. A barrage of bullets pelted her vehicle in the process.
She wasn't hit, but the civilian driver of the vehicle ahead of her was. Alfaro grabbed some medical supplies and sprinted to the position, more than 50 yards away from her own, despite the persisting onslaught. Members of Alfaro's crew reported seeing bullets kicking up dust at her feet and tracer rounds whizzing past her head as she ran, the Guard said.
When she reached the wounded driver, she used her body as a shield as she tried to help him, though he later died from his injuries. Moments later, a report of another wounded civilian driver came over the radio, leading Alfaro to hop into a gun truck and rush to the position, where she saved that driver's life, according to the Guard.
"Spc. Alfaro's courage under fire is exceptional," Bravo Company commander Capt. Joshua Shrader, of Juneau, said in a written statement. "She helps make this hostile environment a little safer through her actions and willingness to help protect everyone around her."
Alfaro first joined up with the California Army National Guard in March 2005, then applied to be transferred to the Alaska Guard in 2007 when she learned the unit would be deploying to Iraq, the Guard said. Her unit, based out of Fort Richardson, is scheduled to return in mid-April.
Also, the article was misprinted, shes getting the Silver Star of Valor instead, which i guess no one has received since WWII. Im SO proud of her, but still blown away at her putting her life at risk for others. Very admirable. I cant wait for her to come home.. I love and miss you veronica!!!
Spc. Veronica Alfaro stands next to the light medium tactical vehicle gun truck she was driving on Jan. 15 in Iraq when her convoy was ambushed.
Veronica and I as Bill and Ted for Halloween.
Vero and I before the first SG burlesque tour.
primping ourselves before new years eve one year..
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I missies you lady! We must see eachother soon !! !!! !
Pretty lady