Posted on 11/06/2005 6:03:41 AM PST by Qwertrew
DEAR ABBY: I was a soldier serving in Iraq. Last April, I was in a vehicular accident while part of a military convoy and was MEDEVACed to the nearest medical treatment facility.
When you're a trauma patient in the United States, you're put in a cubicle in an emergency room, blocked off from the rest of the patients. That is not the case in the military during a war.
I didn't mind sharing the trauma room with the Marine who had arrived there before me. He had been shot three times in the face. While I was in the room with this brave Marine, the trauma crew fought valiantly to save his life. He flatlined seven times in just the short period after I got there. The nurses, doctors and medics worked tirelessly on him, not giving up. Finally, the doctor told them it was over, and they covered him up. I never knew his name. I lay on my litter while they started to work on my arm, which had been pinned under the truck during my accident and crushed, crying silently for the life that had been lost.
I'm writing this to you, Abby, to let that Marine's parents and friends know how hard the doctors and crew fought to save his life. Besides the medical crew, I'm the only one who knows. He wasn't just a face, or a name on a memorial to them. He was a life, and many people tried hard to keep him alive. If he had been my child, I would want to know. -- ANOTHER SOLIDER, CLARKSVILLE, TENN.
DEAR SOLDIER: Thank you for your letter, and for taking the time to share the last moments of life of that Marine. I'm sure your feelings are shared by all of the parents who have lost sons and daughters in this war, as well as the parents of those whose lives are on the line every day they serve on active duty.
Please, as Veteran's Day approaches this Friday, remember our service people, and send them a note of support.
Check out http://charliecompany.20m.com/MemorySleep.htm I didn't know her but I did know a lot of the wonderful nurses and doctors we had back then. They all cared just like they do now.
I'm surprised "Dear Abby" didn't get some liberal jab in....during her reply.
Great article. Just reinforces my belief that military medical professionals have to have some kind of unexplainable, God-given toughness.
I guess liberalism fails when its hit by a letter like the one written by this fine young man.
You could be right....
I saw this just a few minutes ago in the paper. I thought it would make it to Freerepublic! Things like this always do.
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