Gen. George Casey liked Spc. Brian Roberts' hard plastic footwear.
"Some pretty fancy slippers you got there," quipped the relaxed and easygoing Army chief of staff.

"Sorry for being out of regs, sir," replied Roberts, who sat in a wheelchair with a camouflage blanket over his legs.

Casey awarded Roberts a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal June 11 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for his actions while serving in Afghanistan with 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

"We are lucky as a country to have Americans like this soldier," said Casey after the presentation.

A combat medic, Roberts was wounded on March 22 by an improvised explosive device, or IED, while on patrol near Daigan, Afghanistan, in the Helmand Province.

Roberts is missed by his fellow soldiers, who think highly of him.

"He's a dedicated soldier," said Capt. Nick Carlton, executive officer, A Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. "He's a great medic and a friend to everyone."

Casey praised Roberts' sacrifices and wished him a quick recovery.  He then handed out challenge coins to Roberts' family members and friends.

As Casey made his way around the room, Roberts said that he was looking forward to getting back on his feet.

"As soon as this thing comes off, I'm walking," commented Roberts.  "I don't care what they say."

Casey smiled when he heard that.

The Army's top soldier visited Lewis-McChord to meet with I Corps leaders.  Casey said his visit was to make sure there are enough behaviorial health resources available for the post's returning 18,000 soldiers over the next several months.

"I'm very pleased to see what they're doing to make sure we have enough resources here to talk to soldiers and families," explained Casey.

He also had some positive comments about 5th Brigade's actions in Afghanistan over the past year.

"There are no easy jobs in Afghanistan," continued Casey. "They're contributing to the successes we're seeing in the vicinity of Kandahar.  But there's no question about it; they've had one of the tougher missions."

Before departing, Casey made it a point to ask that the community be informed of its importance to the mission at JBLM.

"We could not do any of what we do without the support of local leaders and the community - they are very important."