But LTC Robin J. DeLeon, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at the Boise VA Hospital who is currently serving in Iraq, also sees his deployment as an opportunity to do more than tend to the troops whose health needs are his primary duty. He and other U.S. medical people in uniform are applying their skills and exercising compassion in outreach to the Iraqi people.

Currently stationed with the Texas National Guard at Talill Air Base in Iraq, DeLeon runs a small Troop Medical Clinic for the troops in his brigade. In addition to this, he says that he, his medics and PAs participate in small missions for the local Iraqi people.

DeLeon says the team tries to provide as much health care as it can to the local communities, "These missions are called MEDCAPs," he explained in a written statement forwarded to the newspaper by his wife, Silvia DeLeon, Boise, the for-mer Silvia Perez who graduated from Weiser High School in 1974. "We coordinate with our Civil Affairs teams to find the towns in need the most. For the local people, it helps foster a sense of trust for our soldiers and America in general. For us, it gets us out there to help people that have little, if any, access to medical care."

DeLeon continued: "We can’t do much for chronic conditions such as heart problems, but we can treat many acute conditions such as head colds and allergies... We also give free, expiring medicine to the local medical clinic so the doctor can provide health care to his people."

One cause that’s near to the doctor’s heart is not so medical in nature. "My predecessor started a shoe fund for the children," DeLeon said. "When we go out on these missions, we also give away shoes. Many of the children are barefoot or have old, worn shoes. The new or used shoes get them more excited than the candy we give out."

Dr. DeLeon invites Signal American readers to donate shoes by mailing them to him and his mission partner at the following address: LTC Robin DeLeon and CPT Eric Rice; HHC 2/142 Infantry; 56th Brigade Combat Team 36th ID; APO, AE 09384.

"On the last MEDCAP, I was told by some local Iraqi citizens about how much they truly appreciate what the U.S. and its soldiers are doing for them," DeLeon said. "They believe in their future and do not believe in the hatred enforced by our enemy. It is their enemy, too. This recent election just shows what the people can do if given the chance."

Born and raised in New York, DeLeon is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Science Uniform Health Service Medical School in Bethesda, Md. He completed his residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, where he was named Chief Resident of the Year. During his military career he has been stationed in Kosovo, Germany, Maryland, Washington State, and Kentucky. He was also the flight surgeon for the 101st Airborne Division "Rakassans" in Ft. Campbell, Ky., where Dr. DeLeon is known simply as "Dockasan."

"I am proud of what I have accomplished in my life, but I am more proud to be of service to others whether it is with the VA or the Army," DeLeon recently wrote. "Our military deserves the best because they are the true heroes. I may be one of them, but the Army and the soldiers have given me more than I can ever repay. I am proud of my service to my country, I’m proud of our military, and I will continue to support our mission in Iraq."

Dr. DeLeon and wife Silvia have three children: Ashley, 22, formerly of Memphis, Tenn., Ben, 18, attending TVCC, and Robbie, 11, attending Sacred Heart Catholic School. All are new residents of Boise. Silvia’s parents, Vicente and Isabel Perez, formerly of Weiser, currently reside in Ontario.