Fluidr
about   tools   help   Y   Q   a         b   n   l
User / NavyMedicine / Sets / Historical photos - Fleet Hospital 3
Navy Medicine / 10 items

  • DESCRIPTION
  • COMMENT
  • O
  • L
  • M

"True Brothers in Arms Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 2003424125429
Story by Chief Petty Officer Al Bloom, Fleet Hospital 3 Public

SOUTHERN IRAQ (Apr. 24, 2003) -- The term 'a brother in arms' is one of endearment shared by those who have endured and truly understand the demands of conflict. To most, it signifies the closeness only achieved under fire. But for two young men serving in the U.S. Navy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it signifies a way of life.

""We've pretty much done everything together or at least shared most of the same goals,"" said Petty Officer 1st Class Roseller Flores, who is currently assigned in support of Charlie Surgical Company, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, and operating in Southern Iraq. ""About the only thing we've done different is marry different wives.""

Flores is describing his life-long relationship with his own brother in arms. Separated by a mere eight minutes at birth, Flores' brother in arms is his twin, Petty Officer 1st Class Alexis Flores, of Fleet Hospital Operations and Training Center, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and currently assigned in Southern Iraq in support of Fleet Hospital 3, the first Navy Expeditionary Medical Facility ever constructed in a war zone.

After spending only a few moments with the Flores brothers, it's evident that the relationship of these true brothers in arms is clearly more profound than the unique closeness usually associated with being twins.

""We have the typical stories of helping each other against bullies at school,"" said Roseller.

""But when it came time to join the Navy, we decided we wanted to do it together,"" said Alexis, finishing his brother's thought.

""We've always wanted to do whatever we do together,"" continued Roseller in rapid fire. ""We wanted to join the Navy, because as immigrants, we felt safer here in the States.""

""So we wanted to join the service to have a sense of mission,"" finished Alexis.

Doing everything together can be a challenge when it comes to meeting the needs of the Navy, but somehow, from Navy Corpsman School and Fleet Marine Force School to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and several varied assignments on Camp Pendleton, Calif., these brothers in arms have been able to stay together throughout the vast majority of their career.

Born in Cavite City, Republic of the Philippines, virtually the entire Flores family has made the U.S. military a way of life.

""We have another brother who retired as a supply officer in the Navy,"" said Alexis. ""Plus, our sister is married to a master chief in the Navy.""

""In fact, our grandfather was a U.S. Army scout back in the Philippines,"" added Roseller.

While the Flores family is probably more aware than most of the dangers of a life of service, being assigned in Iraq is still a concern.

""Our families are very concerned,"" admitted Roseller.

""Especially, our mother,"" added Alexis.

""We all know this is a part of what we do,"" started Roseller.

""So we tried to reassure her that we're professionals,"" continued Alexis.

""And that it comes with the job,"" said Roseller.

Actually, this is not the first time the Flores family has had to grapple with the uncertainties of war.

It was during their assignment in support of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines that the brothers found themselves in a similar position. Both were assigned to a unit that would require them to move to the front lines against Iraqi forces, only this time, it was during Operation Desert Storm.

""We were ready to go,"" said Roseller, ""but, they told us that one of us would have to go back.""

""So we flipped a coin,"" explained Alexis. ""I won, and he went back.""

A coin flip won't be necessary this time. Once the construction of Fleet Hospital 3 is completed, Alexis will be returning to friends and family in the States.

Clearly however, a big part of him will remain in Iraq.

""It's very overwhelming,"" said Alexis after a short, orchestrated surprise visit with his brother in Camp Guadalcanal, Kuwait, just hours before Roseller's unit advanced into Iraq. ""I'm concerned for him. He gave me a piece of his hair to keep in my Bible. I told him today that I will pray for him, and no matter what happens, our souls will always be together.""

With that, Alexis took a deep breath, looked down and contemplated his brother's fate. After all, it's what you do when you have a true brother in arms."

Tags:   Hospital Corps Fleet Hospital Three

  • DESCRIPTION
  • COMMENT
  • O
  • L
  • M

Central Command Area of Responsibility (April 1, 2003) -- Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Roseller Flores (right) writes a letter for twin brother Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Alexis Flores to deliver to his wife upon his return to Camp Pendleton, Calif. Both brothers were in Southern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Roseller is attached Charlie Surgical Company, Force Service Support Group, First Marine Expeditionary Force, while Alexis, is assigned to Fleet Hospital Operations and Training Center, assisting Fleet Hospital Three, the first Navy Expeditionary Medical Facility ever constructed in a war zone. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Al Bloom. (RELEASED)

Tags:   iraqi freedom marines multinational people brothers Hospital Corps Fleet Hospital Three

  • DESCRIPTION
  • COMMENT
  • O
  • L
  • M

030401-N-0728B-056
Southern Iraq (Apr. 1, 2003) -- Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Patrick Agan from Columbus, Ohio, prepares instruments for surgery just hours after the completion of construction of Fleet Hospital Three (FH-3) in the desert of Southern Iraq. The establishment of FH-3, the Navy's first Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) in a war zone, adds to the lifesaving capabilities of Navy Medicine in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraqճ weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Al Bloom. (RELEASED)

Tags:   surgeon medical iraqi freedom hospital fh-3 Hospital Corps Fleet Hospital Three

  • DESCRIPTION
  • COMMENT
  • O
  • L
  • M

030408-N-0728B-001
Central Command Area of Responsibility (Apr. 8, 2003) -- Fleet Hospital Three (FH-3) Staff members grab a quick break just outside the Operating Room during a lull between treating patients. Personnel of FH-3, the Navy's first Expeditionary Medical Facility to be deployed in a combat zone, conducted surgical procedures on more than 120 Coalition Forces, Displaced Citizens and Enemy Prisoners of War (EPW) during their first week in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Al Bloom. (RELEASED)

Tags:   operation iraqi freedom nimitz cvn 68 Fleet Hospital Three (FH-3) Hospital Corps Fleet Hospital Three

  • DESCRIPTION
  • COMMENT
  • O
  • L
  • M

VIRN: 20030410-N-0728B-001
SOUTHERN IRAQ (April 10, 2003) -- Attempting to bridge the language barrier, Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer Second Class Sara Beishir of St. Louis (far right) and Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer First Class (Fleet Marine Force) Jody Stenquist of Pontiac, Mich. try to comfort a four-year old patient who arrived in Fleet Hospital Three (FH-3) Casualty Receiving with a shrapnel wound to the right foot. Though small in stature, this large part of Iraqís future was one of almost 200 surgery procedures completed by FH-3 personnel since seeing their first patient on the afternoon of April 1. After receiving treatment at the Navyís first Expeditionary Medical Facility ever constructed in a war zone, the tiny tot departed for follow-up treatment aboard USNS Comfort, with the bunny; some new clothes; a good sized box of candy and a long trail of broken hearts. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Al Bloom)

Tags:   children corpsmen females fh-3 medical oif people sailors Iraq Hospital Corps Fleet Hospital Three


50%