An honorable send-off

Crest workers show their support for a fellow co-worker going to Iraq

By Kristen Miller
Staff Writer

One of Crest Healthcare’s employees is being deployed to Iraq and to show support, his fellow employees dressed in patriotic colors and shared in a potluck Tuesday.

Ryan Hoffman has been one of Crest’s account executives for nearly two years. He has been in the Air Force since 2000.

Hoffman is an Air Force EMT medic in the 119th Fighter Wing based out of Fargo.

He will be working in a medical military facility in Baghdad and leaves Saturday, July 9, for 60 days.

The reason for his short deployment is that Hoffman is filling an empty slot of time.

Hoffman is leaving behind his wife, Rachel, who is expecting their first child in December.

“She is really supportive since she is also in the Air Force,” Hoffman said.

Nancy Hanke, human resources manager at Crest, organized the potluck and send-off.

“We haven’t had any of our employees active in the military, especially going off into a war zone, so we are learning a lot about the military,” Hanke said.

Hoffman’s fellow employees will miss him during his leave.

“We are all very proud of Ryan for his service to our country. We’ll be thinking of him and praying for him every day he’s over there,” said Corey Tisthammer, general manager.

Because of a delay in his travel arrangements, Hoffman’s official last day at Crest is Thursday, July 5.

“We wish him well and safe on his deployment and we will miss his smiling face,” said Pam Smith, fellow account executive.