by JO1(SW/AW) AnTuan Guerry
Journal staff writer
A national search and rescue organization recognized the USNS Comfort crew Monday for their "Extraordinary Service to Humanity" during the Sept. 11 attacks and hurricane relief efforts in September.
Comfort was among 16 awardees honored by the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation at the Baltimore Convention Center.
"We are honored to be mentioned and receive this award amongst all other organizations here today," said Comfort Military Treatment Facility Commanding Officer Thomas Allingham. "We were happy to be doing our jobs in [Hurricane] Katrina and the [Sept. 11] relief mission ... This award is for the people on the ship and the great job they did. This is a complete tribute to the people involved who put in the extra work and time knowing the urgency of the mission."
Retired CAPT Scott Shields, the organization's founder, said Comfort clearly deserved to be recognized for the speed in which the ship responded to the call of duty and delivered the whole package during their relief missions.
"I understand what it means to say 'Thank you,' for what Comfort did in New York and what they do around the world," Shields said. "After [being a part of this] for 30 years, people like the Comfort [crew] make you look back and realize why you've been at [relief efforts] for so long."
Comfort crewmember CS1(SW) Joseph Scatina, who sailed with the ship to New York City, said the ship's initial mission after Sept. 11 was to provide medical assistance to New Yorkers.
"The ship's mission changed and we ended up providing 24-hour hotel services, [like food and laundry] to the workers at Ground Zero," said Scatina, leading petty officer in Comfort's Food Service Division. "We were doing our part [providing workers] a hot meal, a place to rest and some relief from the hazards of Ground Zero.
"It's an honor [being recognized for the award], but the firefighters and police are the ones who should be recognized for their efforts; they were the ones doing all the work."
Comfort Executive Officer CDR Benjamin Feril said the country's efforts during Sept. 11 showed local police and federal agencies can work together.
"This award shows appreciation of our ship and crew and for the contribution of providing essential services to the country," Feril said.
Bear Search and Rescue Foundation wanted to honor the hospital ship in September, but the overwhelming devastation following Hurricane Katrina forced everything to be put on hold.
The Military Sealift Command ship Comfort, berthed in Baltimore, is normally staffed with 60 military and civilian personnel, who provide daily care on the ship. When called for humanitarian missions, the ship is staffed mostly with medical personnel from National Naval Medical Center, in addition to Navy personnel from various medical facilities.
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