Above, Captain Rex Rubin with the Baptist Easley flag in Bagram Afghanistan. Inset, The Baptist Easley flag frame with the American Flag that was presented to the hosptital board.

EASLEY — At the October Baptist Easley Hospital board meeting, Captain Rex Rubin presented the board with a box that contained a faded Baptist Easley flag, as well as an American Flag. Both flags flew proudly over Bagram during his duty in Afghanistan.

In May 2015, Rubin, a registered nurse for Baptist Easley Hospital’s emergency department, was called to serve his country in Bagram, Afghanistan as an areomedical flight nurse. His mission was to take care of wounded warriors in the air on their way to get medical treatment. During his time in Afghanistan, Rubin flew more than 55 missions and treated more than 234 patients.

As he packed his bags, he made sure to pack things that reminded him of home and why he was serving. He brought pictures of his family and a very unique item, the Baptist Easley Hospital flag.

As an emergency department nurse, Rubin is trained to help people. He knew that flying the Baptist Easley Hospital flag over Afghanistan would remind him every day about how he was called to help and serve our county.

“I have such pride for this hospital. The people that I work with at Baptist Easley Hospital are family. I wanted this flag as a reminder everyday while I was serving” Rubin said.

In a letter to Baptist Easley CEO Michael Batchelor, Diane Difrancesco, Col. USAFR, NC Commander wrote, “Rex is serving his county in a distinctive manner. Executing Aeromedical Evacuation operations in a combat environment is a challenging and tough business, and we only select the Air Force’s finest to serve in this capacity. Your hospital has a lot to be proud of.”

Rubin truly lives out the hospital’s motto — Caring is Our Calling.