All Gave Some - Some Gave All

On the surgical floor of the large Army Regional Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is a lounge named, "Warrior Lounge."  It is so named for Captain Jennifer Moreno, an Army nurse that worked on this floor, that was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013.  This plaque in momory and honor of Captain Moreno is on the wall of the entry to the Warrior Lounge.

Greater Love hath no woman than this,
that a woman lay down her life for her friends.
John 15:13
(gender changed)

The story of Captain Jennifer Moreno is one of honor, patriotism, heroism, and love!!!

Captain Moreno became a commissioned officer through the U.S. Army ROTC as a nurse in 2010.  Prior to that she completed the Army Airborne Course (see the parachute wings on the plaque) in 2009.  This is an exceptionally demanding course.  In January 2011, Captain Moreno was assigned to the Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington as a Clinical Staff Nurse on a 32-bed medical susrgical unit.

One of her fellow nurses at Madigan was a member of the Lacey First Ward (one of the wards we serve) and knew Captain Moreno very well and has a great love and respect for her - his young children 'adored her' in his words.  He told us that Captain Moreno always had a great desire to make a difference in  people's lives - it was her character to do so.  'There was something about her that made her want more, to give more, to do more,' said Colonel Ramona Fiorey, Madigan Commander.  Consequently, she volunteered for and was selected into the Army Special Operations Command Cultural Support Team (CST) program.  Cultural Support Teams are women volunteer soldiers.  Their primary task is to engage a host nations's female and adolescent population in support of Army Special Operation Forces missions where their interaction with male service members may be deeemed culturally inappropriate.  Jenny had a great desire to make a difference in these women's lives.  She completed the CST course in April 2013, and deployed in June with a 75th Ranger Regiment assult force to Afghanistan as a CST leader.  The 75th Ranger Regiment is an elite, selective, and highly trained Army Special Operations unit.

In Octber 2013 Captain Moreno's assult force was assigned a high priority mission.  They were to kill or capture a known Taliban attack network leader operating in Kandahar Province.  This leader was planning to conduct a high profile attack in Kandahar City with the aims of killing innocent civilians and undermining Afhgan government authlority.

During darkness on 5 October 2013, the assult force moved on the targeted compound.  When the attack started, inhabitants of the compound moved to exit and caused four explosive devices to detonate.  These initial explosions caused eight friendly casualities.  In spite of being exposed to three large explosions at a range of no more than 25 meters, Captain Moreno began treating the assult force wounded soldiers.  This caused her to move about an area that was a known Improvised Explosice Device (IED) belt, which she did with utter disregard for her own life.  She contributed to the safe evacuation of severn wounded members of her assult force.

In the last moments of her life, Captain Moreno heard two orders.  One was a call for help for a soldier wounded in the first blasts.  The other was from the assult force commander for her to stay put lest she hit another IED in the bomb belt.  Captain Moreno chose to help the wounded soldier and struck an IED that caused the fifth explosion that night and that took her life.

A total of 12 explosions occured in the assult.  Four members of the assult force were killed, at least 25 were wounded, and none of the insurgents in the compound were taken alive.  At great expense, these four American lives and the wounded of the assult force disrupted a major attack on Kandahar City that would have resulted in deaths of unknown multitudes of innocent civilians.

Captain Jennifer Moreno was posthumously promoted to captain and awarded the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal with the valor device, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal.













Colonel Ramona Fiorey, commander of Madigan Army Medical Center said, "We've lost a superb officer and a caring nurse who served with marked distinction and honor throughout her career."

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick J. Ellis, Commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, described Captain Moreno as "a talented member of our team who lost her life while serving her country in one of the most dangerous environments in the world.  Her bravery and self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the 75th Ranger Regiment.  She was making a difference in Afghanistan and that legacy will live on."

The following tribute (which says it all) to Captain Jennifer Moreno was written by her CST commander and friend, Captain Amanda King:

"Jenny Moreno, you had a smile and laugh that could light up any room.  I remember the first time we met at our CST Qual course when we, by a lucky twist of fate, became roommates - you walked in and sheepishly asked me 'Ma'am, what side of the room would you prefer?'  When I asked you to just call me Amanda you immediately transitioned to the relaxed, friendly, warm Jenny we all came to know and love, and I knew that we would be close friends.  You had that effect on people where you just immediately put them at ease, but at the same time, you were a fighter, a 'pitbull trapped in a chihuahua's body.'  The love you had for your family was apparent to everyone around you - we all loved to hear stories from your childhood and see the adorable pictures of your little nephew - Ivan - who shares your same beautiful smile.  You shared that same love you had for your family with everyone around you - which quickly earned you the respect of the Rangers, enablers, and of course your fellow CSTs.  Jenny, you were loved so much in this life.

I have so many amazing memories of you even though I only knew you a few short months.  I'm not alone in this - everyone you ever touched has amazing memories of you - because you left such an incredible impression on everyone you met.  I will always treasure one of the last conversations I had with you - we were laughing and planning our future New Year's antics in Seattle when you had to go, you told me, 'you're my favorite Captain' and I told you, 'you're my favorite Lieutenant.'  Jenny, I wasn't lying.  You always saw the best in others and looked up to them - commenting on how great they were at one thing or another - but really - you are the best of us all, though - and everyone of us looked up to you.  We are better people because of the way you saw us.  You took a litle piece of us with you the day you left, but we got the better trade off because we all now carry a part of you in our hearts.  Your friends will always be with you - even now as Kat takes you home to your family.

In the days since we lost you, I've heard several of your teammates say, 'It should have been me out there, not you Jenny.'  I've even thought this myself - but the truth is it couldn't have happened any other way because none of us posses the courage that you do.  None of us would have done what you did..... running into hell to save your wounded brothers, knowing full well that you probably wouldn't make it back out.  You are a true hero and I know you're up there right now watching over and protecting all of us with that 100 watt smile.  In closing I want to read the quote you hung in our office and lived by every day:

Be strong when you are weak

Be brave when you are scared

Be humble when you are victorious

We all love you Jenny -- the world is a better place because you were in it."

With Dedicated Young Heroes Like This

America is in Good Hands!!

Catching Up

Well, it is now February 13th and I have not posted a new blog in too many months.  Therefore, I am going to try and catch up with some of the more significant happenings in our mission, and there have been many.

September 6, 2014 to January 31, 2014 (this is quit long, but it is clearly one of the choice experiences of our mission and so instructive regarding the power of faith, prayer, and love).

We received a call from one of the JBLM LDS Chaplains on Septermber 6.  He said a mother-in-law of a soldier was trying to get in touch with the military relations missionary couple for the Lacey Stake.  Well, that would be us, so we immediately called her.  She was from Arizona, and  told us her daughter's soldier husband has an extremely demanding work schedule and her daughter was having a horrible day and needed some help.  When I hung up, I told Ilene what had happened.  I then said to Ilene, "do we call and make an appointment or just go over to their home?"  Ilene, as you would expect, said, "let's go right NOW!"  So we went right over.  The young mother came to the door and was on her cell phone.  She talked a bit and then hung up.  She burst into tears and said, "in my prayer this morning, I plead with Heavenly Father that someone would come, and here you are!!"

Her name is Katie McGuire and they have four wonderful children (Abbie -11, Eliza-9, Bowen-5, and Darcie-3).  Her husband Steve is a para-legal specialist for a special operations aviation unit at JBLM.  The parent unit is at another Army Post, so Steve is the only legal person at the Battalion here, and his workload is just over the top.  He often only gets home a time or two a week for a few hours at a time.  Anyway, we visited with Katie and kids for awhile, and gave her a blessing.  She felt much better and we left with the promise that we would check back and see how things are going.

Missionary McGuire kids (L to R, Bowen, Darcie, Abbie, Eliza)

Steve McGuire and Kids

Katie and Kids doing Ginger Bread Houses at Christmas

The finished product!!!!

We did not get very far and Ilene said, "we need to figure out a way to get her and the kids out of the house today to just relax."  As we talked, we decided to call Katie and suggest that we return in the afternoon with a picnic dinner and go to a park and just play.  Katie agreed, so that is what we did.  We were not at the park long before the kids were calling us grandma and grandpa.  Obviously, Ilene and I were thrilled with that.

They are a wonderful active family that we have done a lot of things with in the four months we have known them.  They have had us over for Sunday dinner, we have taken them out to eat twice, and taken them to "Meet the Mormons" movie, and made ginger bread house with them to mention a few.  We were finally able to meet Steve for the first time at Christmas due to his insane schedule.  Bottom line is that we love them dearly and they love us.

Motor cycle ride games in "Meet the Mormons" Theatre foyer.  This was the exciting part
of the day for Bowen - not the movie.  About five minutes into the movie Bowen turned to me and
said with a bit of disgust in his voice, "I though this was a movie!!"

Steve got out of the Army in late December.  We said a temporary good-by to them on New Years eve about 4:00 p.m. when they left for their new home in Lincoln, Nebraska.  We will miss them terribly.  Katie has said more that once, with tears, that we have been such a blessing to them.  It's interesting how that works because we feel they are blessing to us.

The McGuire Halloween kids L to R: Bowen,
Darcie, Abbie, and Eliza

Katie's extended family started an email group to share experiences where they have seen the hand of the Lord in their lives.  Follwing are Katie's comments in an email she sent to her family on December 27, 2014 [italicized words are added by K. Foulger]:

"Our time here in Washington [2 1/2 years] has been challenging for our family. Steve’s job has kept him extremely busy, more than I could’ve imagined or that we could’ve foreseen. With this trial, I have dealt with disappointment, frustration, and loneliness [This speaks volumes because Katie is extremely active in the  Gospel, outgoing and friendly, has amazing friends, and great support from the Ward, yet she experienced all these things because of Steve's job]. I have learned to rely on prayer and I have a sure testimony that our Father in Heaven answers our prayers. The answers come. I have seen answers come to my prayers almost immediately, others as a process or in time, and always in ways that amaze me. I have on numerous occasions witnessed that I am not alone. I have always been aided and uplifted and always answered when I have prayed in faith for help."

"One of these experiences occurred a few months ago. We had recently purchased a new computer. . . .  It was an opportunity for many new blessings:  family history, bank account access, bill payment, helpful information, emailing, lessons for my Young Women’s calling, world cup soccer, netflix, and entertainment for the kids and me. It helped the kids and I not feel so isolated up here."

"At the beginning of football season I had a desire to see a football game. We don’t have any t.v. access and I was hoping to see a game online.  I looked into watching a Husker game and when I went to an ESPN site it looked like it might be possible.  It seemed like after downloading a program called Key Player, I would be able to view a game.  I downloaded it and shortly after a screen came up that I couldn’t close out. . . .   I was completely frustrated!"

"After calming down and saying a prayer, I called my friend who owns a mac computer too. She and her husband came over to look at it.  Her husband was able to close out of the screen. . . .  There were [still] pop-up ads all over. . . .  After my friend left, I went to my room to pray.  I asked Heavenly Father for help. I prayed telling Heavenly Father I had the faith necessary for a miracle if this was His will, thinking maybe He would bless the glitch in my computer to go away.  After my prayer, I went back into the living room and turned on the computer to see if He had blessed me with that miracle, but the problem was still there.  I realized He was not answering my prayer with that blessing, but I had no idea He was going to answer my prayer in more amazing and wonderful ways.  I would see His hand in my life and an answer to my faith-filled prayer with much more than I expected.  Miracles beyond what I imagined.  My prayer would be answered with people."

"Later that day there was a knock on my door. It was a senior missionary couple, the Foulgers. They are Military Relations Missionaries here serving military families in the Joint Base Lewis McChord area in the Tacoma Washington Mission.  I said it was amazing they had come, because I had thought of them that day. . . .  They said they were there because of a phone call they received from my mom that day.  She told them about me and our family and the circumstances of the day that I was struggling with. . . ."

"While they were at our house we talked and I cried and told them about our situation.  They were so kind and after we visited, we hugged and Elder Foulger offered to give me a blessing. I accepted and felt the Lord’s love through His servants and in the blessing."

"That was only the start to the miracles and the love the Lord was showing me. They called me later after leaving and asked if they could take our family to the park and provide a picnic dinner. I said that sounded wonderful. This was just the start to a wonderful friendship that has grown with them. Their love and kindness have blessed my kids and me over and over again and it continues to bless us. The Lord blessed us with an adopted family that will always be so special to us through this trying experience and the inspired phone call of family far away in Arizona". 

"Heavenly Father answered my prayer greater than I had imagined. The miracle was not an immediate, miraculous fix of the computer that I had been ready to receive. He blessed us through people. Others that were willing to serve and followed promptings and could help. The miracle was seeing the hand of the Lord and how He blessed us more richly than I had imagined. The Foulgers are part of that and they continue to bless us."

"I am grateful I went through the trial of having those computer issues because the experience brought people into our lives that we will be forever thankful for and most importantly, it showed me the love of the Lord for me and how he wants to bless us. I testify that all we need to do is ask in faith, believing that we shall receive. “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.” (Enos 1:15)."

You can tell by reading Katie's own words that she is an amazing young mother of faith.  I (Keith Foulger) testify that we were guided by the Lord in the things that we did with this wonderful family because of Katie's prayers of faith.  Ilene and I don't take any credit for this.  When she would tell us how much she appreciated us and our love for her and her family, we would tell her that was a sign of how much her Heavenly Father was aware of them and loved them.  We are so thankful and blessed beyond measure to have been in the right place at the right time to be instruments in Heavenly Father's hands.  We will love Steve, Katie, Abbie, Eliza, Bowen, and Darcie forever!!!  If we have only this one experience of helping the McGuire family while on this mission, it will have been a success!!