Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 30, 1993 TAG: 9307300138
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Orange County Register
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. LENGTH: Short
People with missing limbs.
Kids with no shoes in icy winter weather.
People living in a school gymnasium with no windows or heat or water.
People whose belongings fit into crumpled paper bags.
"I went through psychological shock," said Hagel, a nurse for 22 years who traveled to Croatia in September to identify places where she and others concerned about the war could help.
Back home in Huntington Beach, Hagel transformed her shock into action, arranging for a group of doctors to travel to Croatia in January to bring medical supplies and provide care for people injured in the civil war.
This week, thanks largely to her efforts, 19 Bosnian war casualties are being flown to U.S. hospitals, where they'll receive free specialized medical treatment. The action is the largest humanitarian medical evacuation from Bosnia.
Hagel is U.S. coordinator for the project, called "Operation Second Chance." Even she marvels at the life the project - organized by the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration - has taken on.
"You'd be surprised at how many people are not standing by the wayside watching," Hagel said.
"Every doctor involved in the program is giving his or her services free of charge. Every hospital is providing service free of charge."
by CNB