The Last of the Greatest Generation [NOTE] 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. Pass it on if you think this article is helpful in reminding us who we used to be! (Capt. Steven Ellison, MD - Military Doctor in San Antonio, Texas) 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. 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 about citizens of this age group and what they represent in the historical development and reputation of America. 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 hed been a good man. I realized that I had seen these same men and women coming through my Emergency Ward 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 WWII are priceless and can NEVER be repaid - except by our efforts to rekindle honor and respect for this generations noble and selfless sacrifices! Situation permitting, I now try to ask my patients about their experiences. They would never bring up the subject without my inquiry. I have been privileged to hear an amazing array of experiences, recounted in the brief minutes allowed in an Emergency Room 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, that the problem was her worn out veins - not his lack of skill. 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 whod 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 who 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 an 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 hed 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 wouldnt end for several hours, and I couldnt drive him myself. I was there the night M/Sgt Roy Benavidez came through the Emergency Ward 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 didnt know I was there. Id read his Congressional Medal of Honor citation and wanted to shake his hand. He died a few days later. The gentleman who served with Merrills 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 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. And it angers me when I have seen a Congress who would turn its back on these individuals whove 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 Ward. AND their response to these amazing 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 and be grateful, or we can lose it all in a heartbeat!!!! If it werent for the United States Military, thered be NO United States of America!!! And now our Congress that enjoys its free medical care is considering charging these people for some of their medical care and at the same time possibly reducing the kind and amount of medical services they would be eligible to receive. Editorial Comment.... The most unforgivable and dishonorable governmental action in our lifetime was the closing of the WWII Memorial to our veterans during the recent partial shutdown of our federal government - an act done purely for spite by an anti-American president because it cost more to close it than it does to operate it!!!!! But, true to their reputation, the greatest generation came anyway - not about to be stopped by a few signs, tape, and barricades - still standing up; still leading the way to oppose tyranny!!!
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 06:10:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015