James A Healy Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL— On Monday 4 August 2008, the MCPON and I, along with HMCM Terry Prince, Headquarters, Marine Corps, participated in the advancement ceremony of HM2 Anthony Thompson.

HM2 Thompson is presently apatient at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL. Petty Officer Thompson was on his second deployment to Iraq with 2nd Battalion7th Marines Fox Company 3rd Platoon near Fallujah, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive under an overpass where Thompson and his Marines were standing on April 20, 2007.

The blast injured Thompson and seven Marines. CAPT Watkins, Commanding Officer, Navy Safe
Harbor representing the Chief of Naval Personnel (Admiral Ferguson) read the promotion citation and MCPON had the honors of pinning the new E5 rank insignia on HM2 Thompson.

In attendance at his promotion ceremony was his wife Ivonne and 10 month old son AJ. Other family members and guests included: HM2 Thompson’s mother, sister, brotherin-law, and mother-in-law, Sailors from NAVCENT, other patients, CDR Hartford (Tamp VA Safe Harbor Representative and Master of Ceremonies) and the VA staff members.

Also in attendance was HM2 Dye, the corpsman and shipmate deployed with HM2 Thompson and who responded to the accident that saved HM2 Thompson’s life.

Watching HM2 Thompson get promoted, once again reminded me of the unbelievable sacrifices so many of you have had to endure. I want to offer my sincerest thanks to each of you for what you do for Navy Medicine.

I am in awe of what each of you do daily to ensure we meet the mission of Navy Medicine which is Force Health Protection. Our enlisted sailors are without a doubt the backbone of this enterprise we call Navy Medicine and I continue to be honored and humble to serve as YOUR Force Master Chief.

HM2 Anthony Thompson Promoted.