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News | May 26, 2022

WRNMMC Director BG Davis pays tribute to victims of the recent U.S. gun shootings

By Alpha Kamara, WRNMMC Command Communications

The Director of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Brig. General Jack Davis, paid tribute to victims of the recent shooting at an elementary school in Texas during a recent morning colors formation at the facility. He said the tragic event and others like it are especially impactful on the staff, which is largely made up of military personnel and healthcare workers who are committed to protecting lives.

“The recent shooting in Texas that left 19 children and two teachers in a school dead is horrific. It’s even more tragic because it came just days after another incident in Buffalo left 10 other Americans dead. This should be a concern for all of us to be more vigilant and strong,” he said. 

BG Davis said the U.S. flag at WRNMMC is flying at half-staff to pay respect to the victims and console their families. “Colleagues in arms, please continue to be vigilant as you proceed towards the memorial holiday and other holidays to come,” he said. 

In an initial email to staff, DG Davis said, “most of us haven’t even fully recovered from the shooting that took the lives of 10 residents who were simply shopping for groceries in Buffalo. We are again facing another senseless tragedy – this one involving 19 elementary students and two teachers killed in their classroom.  As Americans and as health care providers, we feel for the families in these communities and attempt to understand the depth of their loss. As medical professionals, we deal with the loss of lives regularly but struggle when it is so senseless and unexplainable. As members of the United States military, we wear the cloth of our Nation to protect those who cannot protect themselves and are both saddened and angered when the threat is from within our own walls.” 

Army Command Sgt. Major Chanda McGinnis urged those in formation to be vigilant and stay safe during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. She also encouraged the group to regard the holiday as the solemn occasion it was intended to be. 

At the end of the formation, a moment of silence was observed by all in attendance to remember the lives lost in service to our nation and in recent tragic events around the country. 
 
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