MOUNT JEWETT – The Village of Hazel Hurst was full of pride and
patriotism Saturday when a huge crowd filled the town for a parade
honoring hometown daughter, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jamie Himes
Dana, who is now recovering from serious injuries she sustained
earlier this year while serving in Iraq.
Some estimates put the crowd’s size at more than 1,000 people –
even larger than the population of Hamlin Township, where the
village is located. Parade-goers of all ages cheered, saluted and
waved American flags as the wagon carrying Dana, her family and
Rex, her German Shepherd dog, passed. The wagon traveled along the
parade’s route before stopping at the Hamlin Township firehall so
the Dana family could view the parade.
Many of those people, young and old alike, had tears in their
eyes, showing gratitude to Dana and all service personnel as the
flag passed.
At the conclusion of the parade, which was organized by Nina
Nogar, Hazel Hurst’s post master and one of Dana’s former
babysitters, Dana and her family stayed behind for more than an
hour to greet well-wishers, many of whom wanted to be photographed
with Dana.
Then it was on to the firehall for a reception. Again, a huge
crowd was there. During the reception, Dana received a quilt,
crafted by Shirley Howard, that contains the signatures of many
Hazel Hurst and Mount Jewett residents.
After the day’s events, Dana said, “The turnout and appreciation
were overwhelming, unbelievable. I can’t describe it.” Then adding
with her customary humility, she noted, “I consider Saturday as a
‘thank you’ for all of us in the military.”
What a whirlwind schedule it has been for Dana, who is home on a
30-day leave. There have been therapy sessions, visits to Sena-Kean
Manor in Smethport and the Crosby American Legion for a Veterans
Day dinner on Friday.
“I am going to Bradford twice a week for therapy because my left
leg is still weak. I want to strengthen it so I can walk without a
cane,” she said.
When her leave ends later this month, Dana reports to Peterson
Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. Soon after that, she will
know if the results of her medical evaluation will permit her to
continue with a military career.
The procedure to adopt Rex has already started, Dana said. “If a
dog is ready for retirement and meets the adoption regulations,
then I can adopt Rex. I’ll know soon if I can keep him.”
Like all bomb-sniffing dogs in the military, Rex was trained at
Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Dana explained that Rex is a
dual-trained dog, meaning that he not only sniffs out bombs, but
also is an attack dog, and as such has been trained to obey one
handler. The training is constant.
Dana and Rex have been together for about three years. “We were
in Pakistan from March to September of last year and also were
assigned to Secret Service duties with President Bush and Sen. John
Kerry, D-Mass., during the presidential election.”
Due to the shortage of dogs with this training, Dana, who serves
as a dog handler for the Air Force, was assigned to the U.S.
Army.
In June, when the vehicle in which Dana was riding was the
target of a roadside bomb, she suffered serious injuries to her
pelvis, spleen and other internal organs. She was hospitalized at
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany before being
transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.
The tremendous noise of the explosion frightened Rex, and he ran
away. He was found lying along the roadside by another American
military convoy. It was almost a month before Rex and Dana were
reunited. Rex visited Dana four times during her
hospitalization.
During her stay at Walter Reed, then-Air Force Chief of Staff
Gen. John Jumper paid Dana a visit and presented her with the
Purple Heart. Dana is also the first member of the Air Force to
receive the Army Combat Action Badge.
Other visitors from the government included Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Dana and her husband, Mike, joined other wounded service
personnel from Operation Iraqi Freedom and their spouses from the
hospital at a dinner hosted by Cheney at his official
residence.
Also visiting her in the hospital were Stevie Nicks, Wayne
Newton and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
According to Dana, “Wayne Newton is active with the USO in the
military and has been assisting me in my efforts to adopt Rex.”
Throughout Dana’s recuperation has been her husband, a native of
Wilkes-Barre, who serves with the Air Force security forces, and
has been on temporary duty assignment to be with her.
Her parents, sisters, and other relatives have also made many
trips to the hospitals.
Ever since she was young, Dana has had a goal of joining the
military. She entered the Air Force more than eight years ago,
immediately after graduating from Smethport Area High School.
Dana has earned a degree in sociology and criminology, but still
has her sights on a career as a veterinarian.
“I have to take one more year of science courses before I can
apply to veterinary school,” she said.
