chrisbd1 Posted February 26, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I know this doesn't have anything to do with cruising, but I was urged to post this anywhere I could. Everyone in the United States should see this! SOON TO BE GONE By A MILITARY DOCTOR This should be required reading in every school and college in our country. This Captain, an Army doctor, deserves a medal himself for putting this together. If you choose not to pass it on, fine, but I think you will want to, after you read it. I am a doctor specializing in the Emergency Departments of the only two military Level One-Trauma Centers, both in San Antonio , TX and they care for civilian Emergencies as well as military personnel. San Antonio has the largest military retiree population in the world living here. As a military doctor, I work long hours and the pay is less than glamorous. One tends to become jaded by the long hours, lack of sleep, food, family contact and the endless parade of human suffering passing before you. The arrival of another ambulance does not mean more pay, only more work.Most often, it is a victim from a motor vehicle crash. Often it is a person of dubious character who has been shot or stabbed. With our large military retiree population, it is often a nursing home patient. Even with my enlisted service and minimal combat experience in Panama , I have caught myself groaning when the ambulance brought in yet another sick, elderly person from one of the local retirement centers that cater to military retirees. I had not stopped to think of what citizens of this age group represented. I saw 'Saving Private Ryan.' I was touched deeply. Not so much by the carnage, but by the sacrifices of so many. I was touched most by the scene of the elderly survivor at the graveside, asking his wife if he'd been a good man. I realized that I had seen these same men and women coming through my Emergency Dept. and had not realized what magnificent sacrifices they had made. The things they did for me and everyone else that has lived on this planet since the end of that conflict are priceless. Situation permitting, I now try to ask my patients about their experiences. They would never bring up the subject without the inquiry. I have been privileged to an amazing array of experiences, recounted in the brief minutes allowed in an Emergency Dept. encounter. These experiences have revealed the incredible individuals I have had the honor of serving in a medical capacity, many on their last admission to the hospital. There was a frail, elderly woman who reassured my young enlisted medic, trying to start an IV line in her arm. She remained calm and poised, despite her illness and the multiple needle-sticks into her fragile veins. She was what we call a 'hard stick.' As the medic made another attempt, I noticed a number tattooed across her forearm. I touched it with one finger and looked into her eyes. She simply said, ' Auschwitz .' Many of later generations would have loudly and openly berated the young medic in his many attempts. How different was the response from this person who'd seen unspeakable suffering. Also, there was this long retired Colonel, who as a young officer had parachuted from his burning plane over a Pacific Island held by the Japanese. Now an octogenarian, he had a minor cut on his head from a fall at his home where he lived alone. His CT scan and suturing had been delayed until after midnight by the usual parade of high priority ambulance patients. Still spry for his age, he asked to use the phone to call a taxi, to take him home, then he realized his ambulance had brought him without his wallet. He asked if he could use the phone to make a long distance call to his daughter who lived 7 miles away. With great pride we told him that he could not, as he'd done enough for his country and the least we could do was get him a taxi home, even if we had to pay for it ourselves. My only regret was that my shift wouldn't end for several hours, and I couldn't drive him myself. I was there the night M/Sgt. Roy Benavidez came through the Emergency Dept. for the last time. He was very sick. I was not the doctor taking care of him, but I walked to his bedside and took his hand. I said nothing. He was so sick, he didn't know I was there. I'd read his Congressional Medal of Honor citation and wanted to shake his hand. He died a few days later. The gentleman who served with Merrill's Marauders, the survivor of the Bataan Death March, the survivor of Omaha Beach , the 101 year old World War I veteran. The former POW held in frozen North Korea , The former Special Forces medic - now with non-operable liver cancer, the former Viet Nam Corps Commander. I remember these citizens. I may still groan when yet another ambulance comes in, but now I am much more aware of what an honor it is to serve these particular men and women. I have seen a Congress who would turn their back on these individuals who've sacrificed so much to protect our liberty. I see later generations that seem to be totally engrossed in abusing these same liberties, won with such sacrifice. It has become my personal endeavor to make the nurses and young enlisted medics aware of these amazing individuals when I encounter them in our Emergency Dept. Their response to these particular citizens has made me think that perhaps all is not lost in the next generation. My experiences have solidified my belief that we are losing an incredible generation, and this nation knows not what it is losing. Our uncaring government and ungrateful civilian populace should all take note. We should all remember that we must 'Earn this.' Written By CPT. Stephen R. Ellison, M.D. US Army If it weren't for the United States military,there'd be NO United States of America Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms belp Posted February 26, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 26, 2009 It does have to do with cruising. There are alot of WWII vets, Korean vets, Vietnam vets, Desert Storm vets, and the new ones who are out there cruising. I think it is important to say, thank you! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wineshipper Posted February 26, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thank you for sharing. Very touching and reminds me of all of those that I have met that have served this country and the stories that touched my heart. Thank you to ALL that serve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salsera718 Posted February 26, 2009 #4 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I was in the Army - My son is currently in the Navy serving on the USS Tarawa - my son in law stationed on the USS Chaffee...You are correct..if it was NOT for our US Military,, there would be NO USA... My daughter, grandson, and granddaughter serve the Navy too..as a supportive military family Thank you for what you do and for all of our military. "We will always remember, we will always be proud, we will always be prepared, so we may always be free" Ronald Reagan America is home of the free because of the brave... GO NAVY!!! later all...Marla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker@sea Posted February 27, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks to all that serve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiecatenjay Posted February 27, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 27, 2009 This letter was written as a personal correspondence to a friend, Mr. Gene Tuttle, in April 2000 while Captain Ellison served in the U.S. Army under the administration of then President Clinton. Although not intended for widespread circulation, the email was forwarded to many others and has continued to circulate around the world. It is hoped that this letter will help bring focus to the difficulties faced by those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. As a skeptic I check this out on the web and it looks legit. The above blurb is from http://iwvpa.net/ellisonsr/index.php as an intro to that which is posted. It is so easy to take for granted the privilege to live free and to forget that so many fought and died for that privilege. I fear we Americans are presently standing on the precipice of a very slippery slop. Thanks for the reminder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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