Lake in the Hills woman receives military award
As the limelight shone on Capt. Elizabeth Roxworthy, her mind continued to be focused on care and compassion for other troops.
It was, after all, the very reason she was selected as the first Illinois woman to receive the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.
While in Washington, D.C., to receive the award last month, Roxworthy, of Lake in the Hills, stopped at Arlington National Cemetery to visit the grave of Illinois National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco of Bartlett, who was killed in action in October 2008 in Afghanistan.
The two had never met, but still shared much in common.
Wearing the same uniform, and growing up just miles away, she felt in her heart a need to pay her respects — just as she had for another fallen guardsmen — Sgt. Simone Robinson of University Park, who died in March 2009 after injuries sustained in Afghanistan.
“Throughout this entire process, the one person I think of daily is Sgt. Simone Robinson. Her sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all of our fallen comrades, is what really drives me to be a better person and leader for my soldiers,” said Roxworthy, who is assigned to Illinois National Guard headquarters in downstate Sullivan.
“It's hard to put into words, but her sacrifice changed my life more than anyone will ever know, and this award is a tribute to Simone.”
After Robinson was injured, Roxworthy stayed by her side, supporting her and her family until she ultimately passed away at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.
Spending time by other soldiers' bedsides was nothing out of the ordinary for Roxworthy, Col. Paul Hastings, of St. Charles, notes.
Hastings, who won the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in 1996, said this was evident again last November when she spent Thanksgiving Day at Edward Hines VA Hospital in Maywood.
She was at the bedside of Sgt. Emiliano Perez when he was hospitalized for a “noncombat related condition” and passed away the next day.
“Her compassionate and involved approach to soldier care is the foundation of who she is,” Hastings said in a statement released by the military.
The award recognizes company officers who demonstrate duty, honor and love of country — the same values MacArthur stood for.
With her family in tow, Roxworthy was officially presented the award during a May ceremony at the Pentagon by Gen. Martin Dempsey, army chief of staff.
“It was such a wonderful experience; one that I will never forget,” Roxworthy said. “Everyone really paid tribute to recognizing us for the award; everyone from the battalion leadership all the way to the Army Chief of Staff.”