AMSCA - Army Medical Specialist Corps Assoc. Remembrances

Remembering LTC Millard Laney, 65C

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:13:46 GMT

Millard Graves Laney, Jr., 81, passed away on May 28, 2026, in Rome, Georgia - the city where his remarkable life began.

In 1968, Millard answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army and the Army Medical Specialist Corps as a 65C (Dietitian). Over the course of a distinguished 20-year military career, he served with honor at posts across the country and around the world - including Fort Benning, GA; Bangkok, Thailand; Letterman Army Medical Center in California; Fort Houston, TX; Fort Ord, CA; Fort Campbell, KY; and Fort Bragg, NC. He retired in 1988 at Fort Bragg, NC.

His obituary is posted here: https://www.salmonfh.com/obituaries/millard-laney-jr

Remembering LTC Pat Feely, 65D

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:39:54 GMT

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Patrick Duncan Feely, age 84, on December 9, 2025. Pat was born on April 7, 1941, in Ottumwa, Iowa.

LTC Pat Feely served more than 30 years in the United States Army. He entered service in 1964, completed 91B3S Special Forces medical training, rose through the enlisted ranks, and then commissioned as a Physician Assistant.

His progression from enlisted Soldier to Chief Warrant Officer Four and ultimately to Lieutenant Colonel was extraordinary. As Chief of the Physician Assistant Branch and Assistant Corps Chief, he shaped PA assignments, professional development pathways, and the full integration of PAs across Army Medicine. His influence lives on through the countless soldiers and medical professionals he mentored.

Full obituary is here: https://www.legacy.com/legacy/patrick-feely

Remembering COL Audrey McCool, 65C

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:49:53 GMT

It is with a heavy heart that we inform our membership of the passing of COL(ret) Audrey McCool on November 17, 2024. She had served as our newsletter editor for the past several years. We are grateful for her service to AMSCA and our prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.

Her obituary can be accessed here: https://memorialdesigners.net/obituary/audrey-carol-mccool/

Her service will be live-streamed on November 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM Central at the above website.

Remembering COL Brenda K. Ellison, 65C

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 11:43:49 GMT

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of COL Brenda K. Ellison, of Luray, VA, on October 9, 2023. Many of you knew Brenda, an Army Dietitian, who retired from the Army in 2014 and settled in the Virginia mountains.

Brenda's obituary is posted here: https://www.thebradleyfuneralhome.com/obituary/Brenda-Ellison

A memorial service will be held on October 18, 2023, at the Luray United Methodist Church, 1 West Main Street, Luray, VA 22835. Brenda’s good friend the Rev. Nikki Butler will be officiating the service with the Rev. Erich D. Bennett. Viewing will be held at the church beginning at 12:30 p.m. with the Memorial Service at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central Virginia Horse Rescue or the Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (Arlington, VA) in Brenda’s memory:

Central Virginia Horse Rescue, 31262 Eagle Hill Trail, Fredericksburg VA 22407
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, 5159 Langston Blvd., Arlington VA 22207

COL Eloise Brown Strand, 65A - Remembrance

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 22:18:32 GMT

We are sad to report that COL (Ret) Eloise Brown Strand, OT, died Oct 27, 2021. She was 92. Her body rests at Arlington National Cemetery. Our sincere condolences to her family.

COL Strand was commissioned into the Army in 1956 and served in the most challenging positions that the Army Medical Specialist Corps had to offer.

Served as the 8th Chief of the Occupational Therapist Section
Made history in 1978 as the first Occupational Therapist to be appointed to the position of AMSC Corps Chief
Awarded the “A” Professional designation, the Army Surgeon General’s award for professional excellence

COL Strand married Michael W. Strand in Monterey, California, on July 28, 1972. She retired from the Army in 1982, after serving for 26 years.

COL Strand was born in Stamford Connecticut, but lived much of her childhood in Bedford County, VA. She graduated from High school in Bedford, VA in 1946. She obtained her BS degree in Home Economics from Virginia State University. She earned a Certificate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Occupational Therapy from New York University, and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University. She was a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

After her retirement, COL Strand worked part-time at the American Occupational Therapy Association as the International Program Manager from 1986 to 1999. She also served on the Admissions Committee at the School of Allied Health Services, Occupational Therapy Program, Howard University. She was a Deacon at Celebration Church in Columbia, Maryland. She was an active member of her community, contributing numerous hours to multiple community and military related organizations. Of particular note was her service to Montgomery Hospice where she served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and was named as a “Life Director.” COL Strand enjoyed spare time activities including reading, crafts, going to the theater, frequenting flea markets, and skiing as she was an avid skier.

Remembrance for COL Robert Bruns, 65A

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 09:19:14 GMT

Colonel (Ret) Robert (Bob) Dennis Bruns, age 74 of Garden Ridge, Texas, passed away on December 6, 2020 . He was born on March 29, 1946 in Hull, Iowa.

Bob graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Institution Management and attended graduate school at the University of Maryland where he earned a Master of Science degree in Foods / Institution Administration.

Bob faithfully served our Nation for 30 years as an Army Dietitian where he attained the rank of Colonel. Bob entered the Army in 1968 as a dietetic intern at Walter Reed General Hospital and upon completion of his internship served in the Food Service Division. Highlights of his military career included tours in Washington, DC, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Fort Carson, Colorado, Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, Health Services Command (later MEDCOM) and Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

His obituary is here: https://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/robert-bruns