SOON TO BE GONE -
by Capt. Steven Ellison, MD
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 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 CAPT. Steven R. Ellison, M.D. US Army
If it weren't for the United States Military,
there'd be NO United States of America!
Steven Ellison, MD
A MILITARY DOCTOR
And now as you have finished reading this, our
Congress that enjoys their free medical care
are in the process of charging these people for
their medical care and at the same time possibly
reducing their retirement pay. A typical political
"thank you."
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.
