By Pearce Galliher, Sr. Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives, and Co-Chair, Veteran Resource Group
Captain, U.S. Army
Recognizing Memorial Day
For many, Memorial Day is not just a date on the calendar but a moment woven into the fabric of our lives. For veterans, it’s a day when we remember friends and loved ones lost, whether in combat or as a result of the silent battles they faced upon returning home.
This Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. May their sacrifice never be forgotten, and may we strive each day to honor their memory in all that we do.
Military Journey
My own journey through the military has been marked by moments of both triumph and tribulation. I served in a variety of leadership roles and staff positions supporting brigade combat teams within the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) and 82nd Airborne Division. I have been deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel.
Remembering a Comrade’s Sacrifice
As I reflect on Memorial Day, I recall the service and sacrifices of our fallen brothers and sisters in arms.
While in Kuwait, I served with a small team of select individuals who made up the Brigade ALOC (Administrative Logistics Operation Cell). Together, we performed personnel movements, supply and equipment procurements for our units, and other tasks. I was fortunate to work alongside a first lieutenant, whose positive spirit always made the long days bearable. On September 9, 2016, he asked me if I wanted to tag along on his trip the next day. My counterpart and I had our own movement we needed to execute during the same timeframe the first lieutenant would be gone. I declined his offer and asked for a rain check. I was sad to miss the trip. As my colleague and I began to get ready the next day for our trip, I soon found out the first lieutenant had been in an accident. Devastatingly, I later found out it had been fatal for the first lieutenant and the other passengers were severely injured and eventually recovered.
On Memorial Day, I remember and honor my comrades lost.
Each experience during my time overseas has shaped me in unimaginable ways, instilling in me a sense of duty, honor, and resilience that continues to guide me to this day.
Beyond the Frontlines: Extending Support to Veterans
In my previous role, I was the West Florida Division (WFD) Veteran Colleague Network Chair at HCA, I collaborated with the DEI Director to establish the Veterans Colleague Network in Tampa, Florida. I worked with the Corporate Military Program Manager and facility network leaders to establish four self-sufficient facility networks across 14 hospitals in six to eight months. Despite not being a nurse or clinician, I advocated for veterans by leveraging relationships developed as a project manager.
Cultivating Support and Community at TeamHealth
At TeamHealth, we strive to foster a sense of community and belonging among all our clinicians and associates, including veterans like me. As the new co-chair of TeamHealth’s Veteran Resource Group, I aim to build upon my past experience and support the continued mission to offer a space for veterans to connect, share their experiences, and support one another. Through our work, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served while building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.
Learn more about the Veteran Resource Group and TeamHealth’s commitment to inclusion.