By Conor Harrison, Kerrville Daily Times, Texas
Jul. 17–When Missy Rockwood makes her rounds at Kerrville’s VA Hospital, everyone on the fifth floor knows it. The smell of her fresh-baked cookies wafting down the halls is a dead giveaway.
“One big plus in being confined at the Kerrville VA Hospital is the privilege of getting to know a truly remarkable woman and role-model nurse, Missy Rockwood,” wrote the Rev. George Carlin in a letter to the Times. “When I first saw Missy, I thought Hollywood was filming a movie at the VA. She is a pure gift, an inspiration.”
Rockwood is no stranger to the military. Her father, Col. Conan G. Meyer, served in the Army. She is a self-described Army brat, who traveled constantly as a child around the country from base to base. Her husband, Andrew Rockwood, served as a commander in the Navy. And, her son, Charlie, recently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“My dad and my son are my biggest inspirations,” Rockwood said. “My son was the starting outside linebacker for the Army football team, and I was the team mom for four years — go Army. I was the first official team mom in the history of the football program.”
After graduating from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Rockwood worked as a nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital until 1992, when she moved with her family to Fredericksburg.
After taking a 15-year break to raise her four children — Charlie, Kirsten, Karen and Melcher — Rockwood returned to nursing in January at the VA Hospital.
“I enjoy my patients the most,” Rockwood said. “Talking to them, how they interact; they really look out for each other. I feel very much at home with these soldiers.”
Rockwood’s patients certainly agree.
“Missy loves her profession and is choosing a life of demanding and selfless service,” Carlin wrote.
She hears the same sentiments from her superiors at the VA.
“Missy is an asset to our nursing ward,” said Harriet Blackledge, associate chief of nursing services for geriatric and extended care. “She is always upbeat and positive.”
Rockwood feels the respect given to the nurses, and to each other, from her patients makes the long hours fly by.
“I have never seen a nurse disrespected,” Rockwood said. “These soldiers deserve to be treated like kings. It’s an honor for me to take care of these people who have served.”
When she is not at the VA doting on her patients, Rockwood enjoys visiting her daughter in New York, gardening and baking cookies for her next shift.
“I’m a type-A personality. Even when I’m at home, I’m thinking about and doing things for my guys,” Rockwood said. “I think all of the nurses at the VA feel the same way that I do about these soldiers. I want to be here as long as I can.”
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