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In Honor of Our Local Soldiers Who Have Served in the Military
by Debra Manera Cunha
Happy 4th of July! This is the day The United States declared its Independence
from Great Britain. It is a National Holiday where we celebrate the adoption of
the Declaration of Independence. For many of us we feel that July the 4th is the "real beginning" of summer. We attend celebratory cookouts, watch parades, and
listen to the fireworks in the evening sky. July 4th is a day to enjoy the
country we all share…
Lieutenant Colonel Deborah Barrette is a 23 year Veteran with the United State
Armed Forces. She is an Assistant Chief Nurse with the 399th Combat Support
Hospital. Her civilian job is a nurse at University Urological in Providence.
Lt. Col. Barrette has worked as a nurse for 37 years, in many different medical
institutions. As we spoke it was easy to hear Deb Barrette still does, love her
profession. "I thank God every day that I'm a nurse, and if I had only helped
one person I would consider myself very lucky".
Lt. Col. Deborah Barrette
56 years of age - 399th Combat Support Hospital
 Lt. Col. Barrette is originally from the Silver Lake section of Providence,
where she once owned a craft store called "Why Knot"…she now resides in North
Attleboro. Her parents, Joseph and Mary Barrette, and siblings Rose Nadeau,
Diane Dicola and John Barrette have been supportive and influential in her
career paths. "I credit my parents for who I am today". Lt. Col. Barrette
discussed when she first enlisted in the Military…"I had wanted to enlist since
Vietnam", then one evening Lt. Col. Barrette ran into a cousin of hers who was
also a recruiter, Peter Beauregard, and from that point on Lt. Col. Barrette has
loved every time she puts on her uniform.
Lt. Col. Barrette has deployed three times in her 23 years of service. She has
no plans at this time on retiring. She has deployed to Haiti, Kosovo and Iraq.
In 2001 Lt. Col. Barrette deployed for a 6 month peace keeping mission. She and
members of the 399th were stationed in Kosovo when September the 11th occurred.
In June of 2006 Lt. Col. Barrette and over 100 members of the 399th Combat
Support Hospital again deployed. This time 3 months in Wisconsin and 12 months
in Tikrit, Iraq. The 399th worked directly with wounded American soldiers and
Iraqi civilians. Lt. Col. Barrette worked 12 hour days, 2nd. Shift, as
Assistant Chief Nurse; overseeing the trauma and ER center. Lt. Col. Barrette
commented on the comradeship between soldiers. The people she served with are
who she depended on. "the Military is a family to me, I have spent over 20
years with them". When asked about the chance of returning to Iraq, or
Afghanistan Lt. Col. Barrette says "there is always a possibility of deployment,
but I am ready, I am just doing my job".
 Lt. Col. Barrette did speak of the
major lesson she feels she learned and people here in the U.S. do not
realize…"we as a country are very fortunate, we have so many things that are
unimportant, so much stuff, that we don't always see the truly important things
or people around us, we as a country are so lucky to live where we do".
While I spoke to Lt. Col. Deborah Barrette I realized I was speaking to a woman
who fully devoted herself in servicing others, and not only was her devotion
clear to me, but the love and satisfaction she receives through helping people
in need was just as clear. Being a nurse for 37 years, and Military enlisted
for 23 years, Lt. Colonel Barrette finds great pride in the careers she has
chosen.
This Independence Day as we dress in red, white and blue to attend a cookout,
or wave our American flags at a parade, take a moment to think of the men and
women who dress in their Military uniform and go to work protecting the country
we all share; take a moment to think of the men and women who are saluting our
flag while they are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, away from their loved ones.
This 4th of July, take a look at our flag and realize the significance of waving
it in the air!
As always please place your political and personal opinions aside, support the
men and women of the Armed Forces! And I thank you Lieutenant Colonel Deborah
Barrette for taking the time to talk with me, and most importantly for your
service and your sacrifice.
Providence VA Medical Center
Key Phone Numbers
Main Hospital Line: 401-273-7100
Eligibility & Enrollments Office: 401-457-3300
Women Veterans Program Manager (Beth Grady):
401-273-7100, extension 6191
OEF/OIF Program Manager (Rochelle Fortin):
401-273-7100, extension 6137
Outreach Coordinator (Erin Butler):
401-273-7100, extension 3541
Telephone Advice Program Line: 401-457-3336
Telephone Care (24/7): 866-590-2976
VA Regional Office (VA Benefits): 800-827-1000
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
Wood River Health Services:
823 Main Street Hope Valley R.I. 539-2461 |
