CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Christian Sheers hasn't had a chance to rest.

Just 12 days after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan, Sheers was flown to Washington, D.C., for three days with his wife to take part in the United Service Organization's annual gala.

The medic with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Campbell was honored Tuesday night as the USO Soldier of the Year.

As part of the trip, the honorees had the chance to meet Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, plus a number of high-ranking military officials such as Army Chief of Staff Mark A. Milley.

"It was an awesome and humbling experience," Sheers said Wednesday.

The gala also recognized service members of the year from the Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard. As part of the three-day trip, honorees also toured the White House, the Capitol and the Pentagon.

Sheers, 21, enlisted in the Army in his senior year of high school. The gala was the first time he has met such high-ranking officials, he said.

"Seeing the vice president of the U.S. open his home to us and talk to each one of the honorees ... to go out of his own way to talk to us, was so humbling," Sheers said.

The Wadsworth, Ohio, native said he started to get word about the award a few months ago while in Afghanistan.

"My platoon sergeant calls me and says I'm taking your picture for something," Sheers said. "He said it was for Soldier of the Year.

"I was like, 'Yeah, roger, I'm going back to work now.' "

Sheers said he didn't know what to believe at the time. Then when he found out, he told his wife, Jessica Sheers, over Skype.

"He was like, 'Hey, we're going to be going to Washington, D.C., for this thing," Jessica Sheers said Wednesday. "I was jumping up and down I was so excited."

Sheers' recognition comes from the bravery he exemplified while working security for a U.S. diplomat's visit in Afghanistan.

On April 8, Sheers was helping conduct security operations with the provincial governor in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, according to a news release.

As the group was getting ready to leave, a member of the Afghan National Defense Security Force opened fire on them with a mounted heavy machine gun.

According to the release, Sheers eliminated the threat before responding to calls for a medic. Sheers then dragged a wounded soldier to cover before reaching the casualty collection point.

Sheers provided life-saving treatment to one soldier, limb-saving treatment to two more and first aid to five others. He then helped load the wounded into trucks and gave directions for continued treatment on the way to Forward Operating Base Fenty.

Sheers has also been nominated for the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions.

"He's a very humble guy, but he's always been the quiet one to do things and not take any credit," Jessica Sheers said. "But he gets the job done."

Christian Sheers said he always wanted to be a medic with the Army.

"I've always wanted to give my second chance to people that need it more than I do," he said. "...When bullets start flying, everybody runs away, but I'm usually the one running the exact opposite."

Christian Sheers returned to Fort Campbell from Afghanistan on Oct. 6. He doesn't have another deployment until 2017, he said. To help his wife finish school at Austin Peay State University, he enlisted for two more years, Jessica Sheers said.

On Wednesday as they were waiting for their plane home to Tennessee, Christian Sheers said he had his sights set on spending some time at home.

"I'm happy because now I can fully relax and breathe and get back to being with my wife," he said. "Looking back on it, it's just very surreal."

Share:
In Other News
Load More