DESERT STORM RESERVISTS EARN PRAISE, MEDALS

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jack Watt standing at attention near the Kuwait Liberation medals that former Governor John Ashcroft presented to about 100 Naval Reservists at the Cape Girardeau Naval Reserve Center Sunday.

As former Missouri Governer John Ashcroft pinned Kuwait Liberation Medals on Naval reservists at the Cape Girardeau Naval Reserve Center Sunday, Jeff McDaniel counted his blessings.

"After going through what I experienced in the Persian Gulf War, I came away feeling lucky to be alive and to be an American," said McDaniel, a native of Murphysboro, Ill., who was one of over 100 Naval reservists awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal during the outdoor ceremony.

McDaniel, who trained as a reservist at the Cape Naval Reserve Center, worked as a physical therapist in one of the Naval Fleet Hospitals in the Persian Gulf. He treated a myriad of burn victims from Scud Missles and POWs.

"We had to perform triage, which is a system unlike the kind you would see in a regular hospital," said McDaniel. "Normally you take the most critical cases first, but in this case you're trying to maximize the number of survivors. That leads to some tough decisions and also the utmost regard for teamwork. I came away from that experience having a high regard for human life and for people around the world I would never have met under ordinary circumstances."

McDaniel, who now works in a subacute ward at Gravois Health Care Center in St. Louis, saw the Kuwait Liberation Medal as a symbol for the importance of peace and harmony. "I became sensitive to the importance of non-violence whether it be on our own streets or in some other country," he said as a soft March breeze kept the American flag unfurled.

Ashcroft and Rep. Mary Kasten received honorary ball caps from the Cape Naval Reserve Center for their support during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

"The medals, which were provided by the Kuwaiti government, were initially requested for the reservists when the eligibiliity criteria was announced by the Department of Defense following the Gulf War," said the Reserve Center's Command Chief Petty Officer (Submarine Service) Robert E. Ratliff.

"The number of medals provided to the U.S. Government was insufficient to provide each person who served with a medal. But Saudi Arabia received more than they needed so they passed their excess medals to America."

Ashcroft noted that the Naval reservists had to wait three years to be honored on what became idyllic weather conditions. "I remember it was almost three years to the day that so many members of our armed forces came together for one cause," said Ashcroft, who is a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

"We could not have had such a decisive victory were it not for your courage and sacrifice, putting your living and lives on the line," added Ashcroft.

Ashcroft cited the need for keeping the military as strong as it was when he served as Missouri Governor. "It is important that we not have a radical tear down of our military forces," said Ashcroft. "We must make sure that we do not cut into the muscle of our military forces to the point where we no longer have the power to ensure freedom."