Subject: : Passing of a Generation
> Won't Be Long And They Will Be Gone
> From a Military Doctor
>
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
***anese. Now an octogenarian, his head cut in a fall at 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 MSgt. 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.>
Rockytop that was a heart wrenching post, and very true! I will put a few quotes from this to make a point of just how true this Doctors statement is in this day and age.
Quote:
I see later generations
that seem to be totally engrossed in abusing these same liberties, won with
such sacrifice.
Quote:
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."
Sounds like he was speaking about all the stealthy's, vc's and the like out there! All you have to do is read the post about the killing of our elderly to see what this Doctor was talking about.
__________________
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Maybe someday those guys will understand. It will probably take something tragic to happen, but then they will be the first ones on here bitching about the lack of support that they are getting from insurance and government. I'm sure they won't be saying "It's my fault, I should have prepared ahead for this cancer/car accident/liver failure/brain annurism."
I agree with all the comments posted so far, even Ifferd's.
I don't understand why our government is so willing to furnish condoms to kids, needles to drug users, housing for those that will not work, unbelievable retirement packages for congressional members, but will not help the most important members of our society, our veterans that have given their all for this country. I am deeply ashamed of our leaders.
TRULY.....one of our GREATEST generations- and yes, many of them were FDR democrats, as my father was..... But this is not "my fathers" democratic party..... Too DAMN bad it isn't!!!
__________________
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Snowmobile Alliance of Western States
WSSA
NRA
RMEF
GO DAWGS!!!
Passing of a generation
TRULY.....one of our GREATEST generations- and yes, many of them were FDR democrats, as my father was..... But this is not "my fathers" democratic party..... Too DAMN bad it isn't!!!
