Story by Spc Chafelmer Kroll
Defense Department Support to FAMA COVID-19
NEW YORK
CITY, New York-The 54th Quartermaster Company is a Mortuary Affairs unit based
out of Fort Lee, Va. They are one of two active duty Mortuary Affairs units in
the United States Military.
In a deployment setting, they have the privilege of bringing our nation’s
fallen soldiers home. In today’s pandemic, they help to honor fellow Americans
by respectfully processing the remains of those who have passed as a result of
COVID-19.
It’s not everyday you find a dual military couple in the same unit, let alone
working together on a mission like this. Sgt. George Wainwright and Pfc Parker
Wainwright of the 54th Quartermaster Company are doing just that.
Newlywed couple of eight months, Sgt. George Wainwright and Pfc Parker
Wainwright met while working together on a task at the company. According to
Pfc Wainwright, “We bonded over a song and how much we had in common; the rest
was history.”
As a dual military couple, they have encountered a few challenges that many may
not necessarily understand as they work in close proximity assigned to the same
unit. One of those in particular is how they communicate with one another at
home versus at work.
“At home I can say, ‘Hey babe will you help me with this.’ However, at work I
have to respect the rank and courtesies. I try to keep it separate and
professional. I only go to him if it is something I am required to do for the
job”, said Pfc Wainwright.
Staff Sgt. kwame Williams also of 54th Quarter Master Company who serves as
Sgt. Wainwright’s and Pfc Wainwright’s Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon
describes Sgt. Wainwright as “motivated, dedicated and ready to work. Pfc
Wainwright has a good work ethic, as well; she is the armor for our company.
Just a few months ago, she passed her inspection with 100%.” He later stated
that, “they come in everyday ready to work knowing all their tasks and what is
expected of them.”
Originally Sgt. Wainwright wasn’t identified to be a part of the forward
operations in support of the Department of Defense’s response to COVID-19. He
received the news of his soon departure on the night of his wife’s birthday.
“It was on my birthday, so I really appreciated the Army on that one. It was a
really great birthday present; way to go Army (jokingly)!” exclaimed Pfc
Wainwright.
A few days later Pfc Wainwright followed suite of her husband as she was
informed of with her own departure for New York. “I was kind of excited to come
because I have never been to New York before, but the timing of when I had to
leave made me a little agitated (leaving on his wife’s birthday) at first,
“according to Sgt. Wainwright. However, when he learned of the news his
wife would be joining him, “… it made me excited to know that she would
be here with me.”
As Mortuary Affair Specialists, they also receive additional training in
understanding mentally and emotionally what to expect in a specialty of this
nature. During their Advance Individual Training, they receive additional
training to gauge if this line of work will be best suited for them.
“We go through rotations at the morgue to see what we can handle. We also have
additional training in search and recovery process”, according to Pfc
Wainwright. “There is a whole system (training) that we have engrained in
us that we know like the back of our hands. We are just waiting for the call to
do it.”
“Going off of what she said, we have these systems (trainings) and sometimes it
gets hard, but we just power through it because we know it’s worth it,” said
Sgt. Wainwright
Like many other Mortuary Affairs Specialist, they are honored to be able to
serve the American people in this capacity in the fight against COVID-19.
“To be apart of a mission like this, I feel honored and (have) respect for this
job. There is a lot to do and a lot to see, but we are going to respect what
the people want and what the people need”, according to Pfc Wainwright.
“At the end of the day, people who haven’t been as lucky and have passed
in this pandemic, we are handling those people with the respect and dignity
they deserve.”
