SAN ANTONIO - Service members from the Navy, Army, and Air Force gathered at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 25, for a celebration of life memorial for a Sailor who passed away Dec. 28.
Twenty-three-year-old Hospitalman Nenit Coltra worked at METC, the joint military medicine education command whose Navy service component is Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC).
The young Sailor worked among very senior leadership, both active duty and civilian, where co-workers said she excelled greatly.
"She was assigned to us as a clinical care coordinator in the division, and she brought immense energy to the office," said Capt. Richard Hagerty, her supervisor at METC. "She was routinely tasked with the most challenging assignments, but she did them with pure joy."
Others who worked closest with her spoke during the ceremony about fond memories of their time together. Her senior leadership also shared their thoughts to everyone in attendance.
"There always seems to be unanswered questions at times like this especially when we lose somebody close to us in our Navy family, in our METC family," said Capt. Denise Smith, NMTSC commanding officer. "It's hard sometimes. So gathering together today and celebrating this life will hopefully help us come closer to her and bring closure to us. We will not forget her, but rather we will humbly remember her."
Along with leaders and co-workers from NMTSC and METC were her leaders and friends at the Defense Medical Readiness and Training Institute (DMRTI) where she worked prior to moving to METC.
"We're proud of her service and proud of her professionalism," said Hagerty. "Her short life will not lack in influence, which she left on myself and others around her. I know all of us will remember her for living her life fully."
The event included a ceremonial flag folding while Taps was played. The flag and a recording of the ceremony will be presented to Coltra's family.
For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit
www.navy.mil/.