AAFES Civilian Receives Defense of Freedom Medal DALLAS – Sarah Latona became the first Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) associate in its 109-year history to receive the Defense of Freedom Medal. The civilian equivalent of the military’s Purple Heart, the Defense of Freedom Medal honors civilian employees of the Department of Defense injured or killed in the line of duty. October 9, 2004, was a “normal night” according to Latona, a 42-year-old wife and mother from Idaho. After 15 months of driving the dangerous roads in Iraq, she was keenly aware of the “normal” dangers that lurk around each and every corner of a war zone. On that night, Latona went to the staging yard at Camp Victory in Baghdad, grabbed a shower and loaded up her bus with AAFES financial paperwork and three troops who were heading to Scania, Iraq (a fueling station along the convoy’s route). As the vehicle crept through the darkness of the Iraqi desert, Latona and her passengers suddenly heard a “big pop.” The “pop” was actually an explosion that rocked the vehicle Latona and the troops were riding in. “I didn’t even realize we had been hit,” said Latona. “I heard the Soldiers screaming and I was like, oh my goodness. I kept driving the truck, but it stopped after only 150 feet.” The bus Latona was driving was destroyed and she obtained multiple serious wounds from shrapnel to the eye, face, right arm, right leg and backside. Latona’s passengers were also injured and three other trucks in the convoy behind her were engulfed in flames. Everyone in the convoy survived, but the chaos of the moment is one Latona won’t soon forget. “The lead Humvee circled back and troops began pulling us from the vehicle,” said Latona. “I was quickly evacuated from the scene via helicopter and taken to a Baghdad hospital.” Latona visited multiple hospitals before finally arriving stateside at Walter Reed Hospital less than a week after the explosion. Almost six months after that fateful night in Iraq, Latona is back at her home station in Mountain Home, Idaho, working four hours a day in AAFES’ Military Clothing Sales Store. “I’m doing well…getting a little sight back in my eye,” said Latona. “The doctors are amazed by my recovery and expect me to be seeing soon and fully recovered in two years.” Col. Charles Shugg, 366th Fighter Wing commander, pinned the Defense of Freedom Medal on Latona at a ceremony at Mountain Home AFB’s BX, March 24 (photos of this ceremony available upon request). Guests included Latona’s husband Carl, Mountain Home Mayor Joe McNeal, AAFES’ Western Region Senior Vice President Javier Cerna, AAFES Area Manager Marie Clift and AAFES General Manager Rick Lein. AAFES associates who are preparing to deploy from Mountain Home to facilities in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom regularly stop by the MCSS to talk with Latona before they leave. “I tell them to try and have fun and enjoy their tour,” said Latona. “AAFES and its associates are there to help and try to provide the troops with a better life. Helping and caring for troops in a contingency location offers its own rewards. AAFES people are hard working, helpful and want to be there for America’s troops.” -- 30 -- Home
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