CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah – During what seemed to be a normal day at the Camp Williams troop store, Shift Manager Jenn Withers noticed as she spoke to a service member that something didn’t feel right. The individual was showing signs of physical distress. When Withers noticed the service member’s unrecognizable speech patterns and inability to perform basic functions, she immediately called for emergency medical personnel.
Withers waited with the service member until emergency medical personnel arrived. Shift Supervisor Heather Felt took on the store’s workload so Withers could stay with the service member. Once the medical team arrived, the individual was taken by ambulance to receive the critical care needed.
Withers and Felt were recognized for their efforts and attention—because of their actions, a life was saved. “The staff recognized a need, and even when they didn’t have to, they stepped up” said Lt. Col. Christopher Vernon, Commander, 640th Regional Training Institute. “The Soldier is back now and working at 100 percent. Without their intervention, it would have been a completely different scenario.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Jed Lundell, the senior enlisted leader of the 640th Regional Training Institute, said Withers and Felt’s actions went beyond helping one Soldier.
“There is a military effect, and a family effect,” Lundell said. “These may not seem intertwined, but the ripple effect of the actions today allowed this service member continued time with their spouse, their kids, and it just goes on forever.”
Vernon spoke about courage, and how difficult decisions are made because someone has the courage to step out of their comfort zone. Because Withers and Felt recognized an urgent need and chose to act beyond the routine, a servicemember is home today with their family. Their courage, awareness and willingness to step forward made it possible for that individual to return to their loved ones and continue life surrounded by the people who matter most.
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