National Guard soldier helps deliver baby on the side of the road, finds an adoptive family
U.S. Army Sgt. Leann Roggensack, a cannon crewmember assigned to Battle Group Poland, is awarded an Army Commendation Medal, by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Donny Hebel, Commander of Battle Group Poland, for her outstanding military professionalism and performance, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Dec. 28, 2018. (Sgt. Sarah Kirby/Army)
A good news story brought to us by by our own Skippy.
By: Hannah Graf
Tennessee National Guard soldier Sgt. Leann Roggensack was driving home in the rain on May 27 when she noticed a car in her neighborhood was pulled over with the flashers on.
The 29-year-old initially drove past, as it was around 11 p.m. and she was alone. But she was compelled to turn around and see if the driver needed help.
What Roggensack saw when she pulled up was a new mother standing next to the vehicle, still attached via umbilical cord to her newborn son, who was lying on the pavement covered in blood. Immediately, Roggensack retrieved her phone, towels and an iPhone charger.
As a nurse with extensive experience helping mothers and babies, Roggensack knew what to do as she waited for EMTs to arrive.
While on the phone with emergency medical services, she used the iPhone charger to tie off the umbilical cord when the mother delivered the placenta. Roggensack wrapped the newborn in a towel and waited with the mother in the rain.
Despite her years of experience as a nurse and a cannon crewmember in the Tennessee Army National Guard, Roggensack said she had never encountered a situation like that. She was used to having medications, supplies and others around to help her in such dire moments, she said.
“I’ve never had that kind of adrenaline rush before,” Roggensack said. “I didn’t sleep for 48 hours after that.”
Bravo Zulu Sergeant Roggensack! Read the entire article here: Army Times
Amazing story. Thanks, Skippy.
Category: Bravo Zulu, First Responders, National Guard
Hooah !!!!!!!
Kudos, at the very least, to this quick-thinking nurse.
Used the phone charger cord to tie off the umbilical? Improv is her middle name.
The kid’s nickname? Baby Highway.
Boy?
Mac Adam
BZ Troopette, improvise, adapt, overcome! The FIRST Cannon Cocking, Gun Bunny Nurse. I’d like to buy her a beverage…or 12! And a meal!
She had to have chosen the Artillery (no surprise, all of the Combat Arms boil down to being Artillery of some sort, and you may as well be part of the King of Battle Forces). Surely the Army would not have just assigned a trained nurse to a gun crew…would they?
Article wasn’t clear if the Baby was delivered in Tennessee or Poland. It’s obvious the award was made in Poland.
Cool Article!
KoB:
Looks as if SGT Roggensack delivered the baby in the United States:
“Tennessee National Guard soldier Sgt. Leann Roggensack was driving home in the rain on May 27 when she noticed a car in her neighborhood was pulled over with the flashers on.”
And yes, the ninja family smiled when we read that she was Field Artillery…and thought instantly of you…our KoB..
Salute to SGT Roggensack
😉😎
hbtd/gabn/rtr
Tanks ninja! Couldn’t make up my mind. The article was kinda vague and I read it thru 3 times. I lived off post in FRG and drove a 56 VW and a 55 Benz “thru my neighborhood” and what with all of the NG Round out Brigades, thought maybe she was in Poland. Long day and the caffine levels are low.
Either way we are very proud of this one. She may even be a Tide AND a Dawg Fan. Even if she is a Vol, I’d still buy her a beverage…and a meal!
rtr/gabn/hbtd
Q: Why are you bringing an iPhone charger to a birth?
A: Watch this.
Pretty damn cool!
She deserves a Soldier’s Medal.
Soldier’s medal requires imminent danger to the recipient. SGT Roggensack earned every bit of that ARCOM. Outfuckingstanding work, SGT!
SFC D:
I don’t think SGT Roggensack received an ARCOM for delivering the baby. The caption in the picture stated she received an ARCOM in December 2018 (possibly for participation in an Exercise in Poland with the Tennessee National Guard, i.e. PAO):
https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/1694933/tenn-national-guard-joins-in-historic-anakonda-18-exercise/
Thank You for the info on the Soldier’s Medal.
I truly hope she does receive recognition by her Chain of Command.
I put a Soldier in for one after he pretty much saved another Soldier in a quad crash. Downgraded to an ARCOM because no imminent danger.
I have seen Soldier’s Medals given for a lot less.
Green Thumb, you are so correct.
Agreed.
The trick is in writing he award.
The deed is there. But SFC D was correct. Not being there it is difficult to second guess, but I used to be able to write some stellar ward bullets.
Just saying.
Bravo Zulu!!!
I wonder why the TN NG didn’t try to steer her into a medical unit? Surely they can use all the qualified nurses they can get?
I’ve known lawyers in the civilian world who held a variety of jobs in the NG/Reserves (most of them enlisted) but the difference is that the military has all the lawyers it needs (in fact, the JAG corps is very competitive and they get a lot of applications for each slot) but I thought they were constantly understrength on nurses?
Here is a recent picture of SGT Roggensack (April 2020), doing her part on the COVID-19 situation:
“U.S Army Sgt. Leann Roggensack, a cannon crewmember assigned to the Military Medical Response Force (MMRF), administers a COVID-19 test at a medical testing site in Tullahoma, TN., April 19. In her civilian life, Roggensack is a registered nurse with St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN.”
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6182234/tenn-national-guard-soldiers-combat-covid-19
Maybe she chose to be FA versus Medical Corps?
I’m thinking artillery would be a hell of a stress relief tool for an RN. Kinda how MRS D feels about her 1911.
There is definitely something to be said for picking an MOS totally different than your day job. UTA should at least be a little bit fun and not feel like a normal work day in less comfortable clothing.
Provide Comfort
vs
Putting Steel On Target!