Highlight: Sargent Mary Herrera
Sargent Mary Herrera, an Arizona native, and purple heart recipient is a stellar representation of how delaying the full integration of women in combat positions does not keep them from the tragedies experienced as a soldier on the frontlines. Joining after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, at 22 years old, Herrera was deployed with her unit of military police to Kuwait in 2003 amid rising tensions in the Middle-East. In an account of her experiences in-country for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, the Sargent recalls that her unit was classified as a Quick Response Force and "always coming and going, always in harm's way... It was exhausting, but I got to do the things the infantry boys do, the fun stuff I call it" (Salute Heroes). Though she was the only female in the platoon, Herrera recalls feeling safe amongst her team, even in dangerous situations.
On November 8, 2003, while returning from a prisoner transport to Fallujah, Mary was forced to rely on her male comrades as she was shot twice in her right arm by an AK-47. "'I had no feeling in my arm. I thought it had been blown off.' She yelled down to the guys for help, but they were all firing their weapons and could not hear her. She kicked the commander to get his attention. 'The look on his face when he looked up at me, I knew it was bad'" (Salute Heroes). After over twenty operations in an effort to save the arm with screws, plates, and a cadaver radius, Herrera was left with chronic pain and restricted use of her arm.
Sargent Herrera embodies perseverance. Despite her life-altering injury, she returned home to finish her college degree and now volunteers her time as a field representative for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes "dedicated to assisting combat-wounded veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan... helping those who are discharged make ends meet until their veteran benefits can kick in" (Allis).
