Salute to local hero, Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Petersen, 28, of Commack, who is a Bronze Star recipient for his service in Afghanistan. He was the guest of Rep. Tim Bishop for the State of the Union address. SSG Petersen is a full-time Pararescue journeyman assigned to the Air National Guards 103rd Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing based in Westhampton Beach. SSG Peterson was also named the USOs Guardsman of the Year. In December 2012, near Kandahar Afghanistan, Petersen left his helicopter, crossed open ground under fire to treat several wounded soldiers and used his body to shield one from a rocket-launched grenade. He then carried another wounded soldier through fire to the chopper. SSG Petersen, a 2003 Commack High School and 2007 Notre Dame graduate, gave up his job as a financial analyst to join the Air National Guard in 2008. (via Newsday)
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:57:30 +0000