News>Airman gets unusual gift along with dental cleaning
Photos
2nd Lt. Jennifer Szatkowski holds up a decorative brown bag she made for service members more than a decade ago while in grade school. Szatkowski, a second year medical student with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, saw the bag on a bulletin board where she was having her teeth cleaned. (Courtesy photo)
A decorate bag, once filled with candy, made by a grade school student more than a decade ago. 2nd Lt. Jennifer Szatkowski, a second year medical student with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, saw the bag she made for service members, on a bulletin board where she was having her teeth cleaned. (Courtesy photo)
by Sarah Marshall
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Public Affairs
6/11/2013 - BETHESDA, Md. (Army News Service) -- When Air Force 2nd Lt. Jennifer Szatkowski came to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a dental exam, she discovered an unusual coincidence that made her visit not-so-routine.
While having her teeth cleaned May 3, she noticed two brown paper bags hanging on a bulletin board in the exam room. Each bag was decorated with patriotic artwork. One of those, she was certain, had been made by her, more than a decade ago, when she was in grade school.
"When I first saw the bag, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me," Szatkowski said. "I couldn't believe something I had made so long ago, was hanging on the wall across from me in a dentist office at Walter Reed."
The second year medical student at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences recalled drawing an American flag on the paper bag as part of a project about 12 years ago at her elementary school in Wisconsin, more than 700 miles away. On the bag, she spelled out what she thought "Soldiers" stood for: strong, outstanding, loyal, dedication, intelligent, enthusiasm, respected and strength.
The candy-filled bags made their way to the former National Naval Medical Center, where they were handed out by Red Cross volunteers. Carmen Torres, a registered dental hygienist in the Primary Care Dentistry Department, took three bags: one for her father, an Air Force veteran, and two for decoration. They've remained on display in the clinic since she first posted them on the bulletin board, about five years ago.
After Szatkowski's exam, she told Torres, "you're not going to believe what I'm going to tell you."
At first, the dental hygienist thought maybe Szatkowski was suddenly feeling ill, or had concerns about the screening, but when the USU student began explaining that she created the bag, Torres said she was amazed.
"It gave me the chills," Torres said.
Szatkowski remembers drawing the number "50" inside a star, next to the flag, to show she knew 50 stars were supposed to be on the flag, but she couldn't fit them all. To be certain the bag was hers, she asked Torres if she could take the bag down for a closer look. Szatkowski said they would find "Jenny," lightly written in pencil in the bottom right corner. The inscription was there.
"It was unbelievable that it was still around, and that it had traveled so far, from Butler, Wis.," said Szatkowski.
Szatkowski is currently fulfilling her dreams of becoming a doctor. She was moved by the experience, reflecting on what her younger self thought of service members.
"The coincidence is unreal," Szatkowski said.
She said that she would not take the bag home with her.
"I would rather have it serve its original purpose of letting America's Soldiers know that they are loved and appreciated," she said.
Word of Szatkowski's discovery quickly spread through Primary Care Dentistry. Department head Dr. Kim Rumanes told her he appreciated the "heartfelt sentiment that went into creating [the bag] in the first place."
Comments
6/13/2013 1:12:08 PM ET Good deeds live on forever. I am glad you were able to see your efforts still providing cheer. Your bags may be the only survivors of that project.We need more people assuming you still have the same opinion of service members voiced herein.Jim DMaj Ret'd USAF age 89.
James C. Devine, El Paso TX
6/13/2013 11:16:19 AM ET What a wonderful story Random acts of kindness for both the tech who took the bag for decoration and for the young soldier who made the bag
Lois Capone, Elkton MD
6/12/2013 8:55:31 PM ET A Very Nice Story to read about. It is weird the way things can happen in this world. This was definitely one of the nicest stories I have read in quite some time. Thanks for sharing.
Jonathan Howard, Dyersburg TN
6/12/2013 9:56:18 AM ET I think this is a wonderful story for so many reasons. First as a child Szatkowski took the time to support and honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces by making the bag. Second Torres was patriotic and appreciated the actions of a child so much that she retained the bag as a memento of the bond between civilians and the service members that protect them. Finally upon reaching adulthood Szatkowski chose to serve her nation by joining the Air Force and serving in the medical field. This story makes me feel proud that people such as these are serving to protect my family and our nation. I hope the bag and this story will be preserved somehow perhaps in a museum so that future generations can be inspired.
