On June 7th, Brooksville Regional Hospital welcomed back Associate Administrator, Scott Hartsell. Scott is a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and was recalled to active duty in early 2009 to serve in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Scott’s second Combat tour. He previously served in Iraq in 2004.
For the past year, Scott has been working as the Marine Corps’ senior liaison to the NATO headquarters in southern Afghanistan and as the Senior Marine in Kandahar. As part of his duties, he helped in efforts to stabilize the Afghan government, its people and society, and training of the Afghan Military and Polices forces. He also assisted with the Marines efforts to reduce the production of poppy into opium, which is being used to help fund terrorists.
Scott says that he is very thankful for the family, friends and coworkers who kept in contact with him through e-mails, phone calls and pictures. In August, Brooksville Regional Hospital held our heroes drive, sending almost 70 care packages to Scott, which he shared with everyone in his unit. "I got more care packages than anyone else in my unit. People were amazed at the generosity of everyone here," he said. "The hospital is like family."
Serving has made him appreciate some things often taken for granted. "I am so thankful for the blessings I have in everyday life here in America." he said.