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Before we all head off for the long weekend, let’s take a moment to recognize some military members who are friends and family to members of the UNMC community.
Marine Lance Cpl. Allen Novotny is currently in his second tour in Iraq. Novotony, who earned a purple heart during his first tour in Iraq, is the nephew of Sue Prusia, fiscal and budget associate in the School of Allied Health Professions.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Dan Solon — who is currently serving a tour in Afghanistan – is the nephew of Anita Solon, an administrative assistant in the Chancellor’s Office.
Army Staff Sgt. Lindy John is a recruiter in Memphis, Tenn., who served a year in Iraq. She is the daughter of Janet John, office associate I in the College of Dentistry in Lincoln.
Army Pvt. Kevin Farley, son of Jackie Farley, RSS Compliance Specialist in the Center for Continuing Education, leaves July 8 for Army Reserves Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Army Pvt. Nathaniel Davis currently is training in military intelligence at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. He is the son of Penni Davis of the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy.
Capt. Dennis Reiske — a UNMC physician assistant who works in neurosurgery and the emergency room – is currently deployed in Iraq with the Army National Guard.
Sgt. Tom Litton currently serves at Camp Stryker in Iraq with the Army 1st Infantry Division. He is the son of Elaine Litton, office associate I in the section of infectious diseases.
Staff Sgt. Karl Johnson will deploy for his second tour of duty in Iraq this fall. While in Iraq for his first tour he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He is the husband of Kristen Johnson, a fourth year graduate student in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Former Army Sgt. Terrence Batiste — a patient attendant at UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center – served as an Army Ranger Infantry Combat Medic in both Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was awarded a Bronze Star, a combat medical badge and a purple heart amongst other honors.
Sam O’Donnell is an aircraft inspector at Grand Forks (N.D.) Air Force Base who has deployed four times to support U.S. combat operations. He is the brother of Bobbi Shook, a parking attendant in UNMC Parking Services.
Staff Sgt. Jason Pecha – who has served 15 years in the U.S. Army Reserves – is currently on his second tour in Iraq as squad leader with the 443rd Transportation Co out of Omaha. Pecha is the son of Joe Pecha, an accountant in UNMC Facilities Management and Planning.
Cpt. Daniel Therrien of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron stationed at Offutt Air Force Base recently returned from a 120 day deployment to Qatar — his second deployment to Middle East in the past year. During his most recent deployment, he completed his 60th flying mission and earned his Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Therrien is the husband of Stacey Therrien of the division of cardiology.
Airman Zachary Smith recently graduated from basic training at Lacklan Air Force Base, Texas, and now is in technical school at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He is the son of Victoria Smith of the department of pathology and microbiology.
Lynn Litherland of the UNMC Physicians at Summit Plaza in Bellevue has three children who currently serve in the military. They are:
- Jonathan Litherland, who currently serves in the Army National Guard and has been deployed to Iraq;
- Kathryn Litherland, who is stationed in Germany; and
- Paul Litherlan, who serves in the U.S. Navy on the USS Truman.