A member of a U.S. Army Reserve
surgical team in Iraq, Capt. Jeffrey Phillips saw firsthand the wounds inflicted on soldiers by
roadside bombs, snipers and enemy fire.
The Mayo emergency room nurse
also knows of the many men and women in uniform who will never return home.
Speaking before a crowd of
Mayo High School
students on Tuesday, Phillips said it is important to recognize the sacrifices veterans have made for their country.
"The fact is that we all enjoy
many personal freedoms, opportunities and advantages because we live in this country," he said.
The 31-year-old veteran spoke
as part of an assembly in honor of Veterans Day. The ceremony featured patriotic music and representatives from the Olmsted
County Sheriff's Office serving as color guards.
Mayo Principal John Frederickson,
who has 31 years of military service, also urged students to remember those fighting as part of the war on terror.
"Our enemy killed 3,000 people,"
Frederickson said. "If we were not fighting there, sooner or later we would be fighting here."
Mayo High School senior Brooke Weber said the most compelling part of the assembly was
listening to Phillips' story. Even though both her grandfather and father are veterans, Weber said she has always had trouble
connecting with their stories. After listening to a younger veteran, Weber said she had a better understanding of what soldiers
face.
"I thought it was very interesting,"
she said. "I think, with younger people, we have the same perspective."
Phillips first learned his
unit was being activated in February 2003. He had five days to prepare to leave.
"With the war in Iraq yet to start, we didn't know where we were going
to or for how long," he said. "I packed three bags, hoping it would be enough."
Phillips ended up spending
12 months with the 945th Forward Surgical Team at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.
Besides dealing with the 120-degree weather, he also had to adjust to treating patients suffering from war-time injuries.
Ryan Kriesel, a Mayo High School senior
enrolled in Army Reserve, said he appreciated the assembly.
"I thought it meant a lot,"
Kriesel said. "I'm glad we have people that support our troops."
