By Spc. Andrew A. Reagan/30th PAD
TERRE HAUTE — The Army didn’t issue Sgt. Judy D. Brown her devotion to the people in her life or her “can-do” attitude. She used those traits during her first eight years in the Army and 13 years away from the Army. As a member of the Warrior Transition Unit for wounded soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J., she uses them every day, taking care of her battle buddies.
Brown of Hillsdale is recovering from back and knee injuries suffered while deployed to Camp Victory in Baghdad with the 324th Military Police Detachment from Terre Haute.
Brown first joined the Army in 1986. She earned a bachelor’s degree and raised a daughter in her time away from the military. When her daughter, Kasey, joined the Army in 2007, Brown said it inspired her to re-enlist in the Army Reserve.
“The day she left for basic, I started the paperwork to get back in,” she said.
Brown said she swelled with pride as Kasey marched across the parade field during her basic training graduation at Fort Jackson.
“It was awesome to watch my daughter graduate from basic training at the same place I had,” she said. “She’s my pride and joy.”
Brown deployed as an information systems specialist 16 months after re-enlisting. However, the most rewarding aspect of her deployment had nothing to do with her job.
“The best part of my deployment was working with the Iraqi Boy Scout and Girl Scout League,” she said. “When I came home on leave, I was able to get lots of stuff and mail it back to myself so I could give it to the children. Here in the States, we have everything. Over there, they don’t have that. You just want them to have the same life we have in America.”
Brown’s caring attitude has been a blessing to everyone in and around the Warrior Transition Unit, said Quameeka Lang, the information and referral coordinator for the Soldier and Family Assistance Center at Fort Dix. Brown spends several days a week at the center helping her fellow wounded warriors. She does everything from baking treats to assisting them in finding information about tuition assistance and other benefits available to them.
“She’s the sweetest person that makes sweets. She keeps everyone here cheered up,” said Lang.
Brown said she enjoys coordinating activities for the recovering soldiers through the Soldier and Family Assistance Center. She planned a visit to an elementary school in Fleming, N.J., so the soldiers could share their stories with fifth- and sixth-graders. She also organized a trip to New York City so soldiers in the Warrior Transition Unit could take part in the Veterans Day parade there.
“Whatever we need assistance with, she’s the first one to step up and say, ‘Yes, ma’am, I’ve got it,’” said Natasha A. Freeman, the director of the Soldier and Family Assistance Center.
Brown is determined to stay in the Army through the end of her contract despite her injuries. She was accepted to Warrant Officer Candidate School prior to being wounded and still plans to attend once she is medically cleared for release from the transition unit. Even if she can’t complete her contract, Brown says she will continue the mission she began at the transition unit.
“If I’m not able to finish due to the injuries I’ve incurred, I will still continue to help soldiers,” Brown said.
