Doc_Pardue
02-02-2007, 12:13
I get several communications from medics & corpsmen...I just thought you would like to hear from a few as the media won't write about this...
Communication from the folks on duty…
"Katrina was there while we were here"
From a unit deployed from New Orleans
Had an interesting conversation with an orthopedic surgeon yesterday. He stated that he had just finished a 6 hour surgery on an Iraqi civilian. It seems that a helicopter had spotted a group of insurgents setting up an IED (road bomb). The helicopter gunner opened fire on the group. An army platoon was in the area and searched the area after the chopper crew had completed its job an army medic noticed that one of the insurgents was still alive. They worked on this man and kept him alive and air evaced him to our hospital. Our surgeons saved this man's life performing more than 6 hours of surgery.
You don't get this information on the news folks. We treat even those that are trying to kill us. Regardless of the circumstance if someone is injured they are treated. Pass this on to all you know. It is not all one sided as the news would portray it. We have people (docs, nurses, and med techs) putting their lives on the line to save ALL people in this war. Even the ones trying to kill us....
The mood of our group is very spiritual. We stay "on point". We ask ourselves daily "Why am I here" and give thanks for the opportunity to serve mankind at night before we turn in. Blessings to you all and for those that know this term Nhaweh....
Rich
+++++++++++++++++++
Docs,
A few years ago, while attending a Native Ceremony, I was talking with a Brother about our tours in the military. My friend had put in 16 years, in the Air Force.
Heis now a Licensed Social Worker, working with many vets dealing with PTSD. I encouraged him to see if he could finish his 20, as I had. He then joined the Air Force Reserve, was promoted to MSGT. He has volunteered; more like jumped at the opportunity to make a difference, to deploy to Afghanistan last year and now is in Iraq. As I know Rich so well, I know where his heart is. It is with all our children in combat. He spent his 51st birthday in Afghanistan and will spend his 52nd, in Iraq. Many of us remember spending birthdays and holidays in some other part of the world, away from family and loved ones.
Here is one of his letters home:
"Today was my first day off since arriving here. I received a call from the staging facility that they needed more manpower to move patients. We first moved patients from the facility - some on litters and some walking to a bus to go to the Aircraft. After the buses were loaded we headed to the hospital to load our CCAT patients. These are patients that are critical care patients. They are accompanied in flight by a flight surgeon, flight nurse, med tech and a respitory tech. They are loaded on a litter with all of the machines needed to keep them alive; things like breathing tubes, IV's and any other equipment that is attached to them. Visualize picking up a grown healthy man with all of this gear strapped on to the litter then lifting them on to the back of a bus and strapping them down. Then they are transported to the flight line and carried up the ramp of an Aircraft and strapped back down. All of this happens in the course of 45 minutes with limited manpower. Our people are meeting these needs and more they are awesome, they care for the wounded.
I was involved in loading the CCAT patients. The first one - a young man who looked no more than 25 years old was evacuated to the hospital no more than 60 hours ago. His arm was 97% severed when he arrived. The surgeons were able to reattach his arm and save it. He was awake when we were moving him, a smile on his face, he was going home.
The second person was a young man that had a gunshot wound to his head; he also arrived 60 hours ago. He has over 100 staples from the nape of his neck in a semi circle to his forehead. When we started to lift him to the bus he opened one eye. I winked at him and he smiled and winked back.
Working on a day off is not so bad............."
Rich is making such a big difference with his troops and helping them deal with their time in the combat zone.
Before leaving for Iraq, he was givenanother name by my Uncle Lloyd who is not only an Onondaga Elder and Chief but also a former Marine. The name translates to "He stands with the people". A more fitting name could not have been given.
I am sure he would appreciate some encouraging letters.
MSgt Rich Barham
332 AEW EMDG/CASF
APO AE 09315-9997
============================
This is from a young corpsman who works at Bethesda Naval Hospital I have been communicating with. He has asked for our prayers. Please do so.
Doc,
Just wanted to let you know that my next surgery is scheduled for 8 Feb. I am getting a full laminectomy at the L5 region. I know I'm not a member of NAMC yet but I would like your prayers sent my way. This is my second surgery following my injury onboard the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) during Operation Southern Comfort (Joint Task Force Katrina). Hopefully this will be my final surgery. Wish me luck as I go under the knife again.
Thanks
Doc Jeff Cohan
Please send your prayers and thoughts his way on Feb 8th
Kerry "Doc" Pardue
National Commander, Medics & Corpsmen
http://www.medics-corpsmen.org/ (http://www.medics-corpsmen.org/)
Communication from the folks on duty…
"Katrina was there while we were here"
From a unit deployed from New Orleans
Had an interesting conversation with an orthopedic surgeon yesterday. He stated that he had just finished a 6 hour surgery on an Iraqi civilian. It seems that a helicopter had spotted a group of insurgents setting up an IED (road bomb). The helicopter gunner opened fire on the group. An army platoon was in the area and searched the area after the chopper crew had completed its job an army medic noticed that one of the insurgents was still alive. They worked on this man and kept him alive and air evaced him to our hospital. Our surgeons saved this man's life performing more than 6 hours of surgery.
You don't get this information on the news folks. We treat even those that are trying to kill us. Regardless of the circumstance if someone is injured they are treated. Pass this on to all you know. It is not all one sided as the news would portray it. We have people (docs, nurses, and med techs) putting their lives on the line to save ALL people in this war. Even the ones trying to kill us....
The mood of our group is very spiritual. We stay "on point". We ask ourselves daily "Why am I here" and give thanks for the opportunity to serve mankind at night before we turn in. Blessings to you all and for those that know this term Nhaweh....
Rich
+++++++++++++++++++
Docs,
A few years ago, while attending a Native Ceremony, I was talking with a Brother about our tours in the military. My friend had put in 16 years, in the Air Force.
Heis now a Licensed Social Worker, working with many vets dealing with PTSD. I encouraged him to see if he could finish his 20, as I had. He then joined the Air Force Reserve, was promoted to MSGT. He has volunteered; more like jumped at the opportunity to make a difference, to deploy to Afghanistan last year and now is in Iraq. As I know Rich so well, I know where his heart is. It is with all our children in combat. He spent his 51st birthday in Afghanistan and will spend his 52nd, in Iraq. Many of us remember spending birthdays and holidays in some other part of the world, away from family and loved ones.
Here is one of his letters home:
"Today was my first day off since arriving here. I received a call from the staging facility that they needed more manpower to move patients. We first moved patients from the facility - some on litters and some walking to a bus to go to the Aircraft. After the buses were loaded we headed to the hospital to load our CCAT patients. These are patients that are critical care patients. They are accompanied in flight by a flight surgeon, flight nurse, med tech and a respitory tech. They are loaded on a litter with all of the machines needed to keep them alive; things like breathing tubes, IV's and any other equipment that is attached to them. Visualize picking up a grown healthy man with all of this gear strapped on to the litter then lifting them on to the back of a bus and strapping them down. Then they are transported to the flight line and carried up the ramp of an Aircraft and strapped back down. All of this happens in the course of 45 minutes with limited manpower. Our people are meeting these needs and more they are awesome, they care for the wounded.
I was involved in loading the CCAT patients. The first one - a young man who looked no more than 25 years old was evacuated to the hospital no more than 60 hours ago. His arm was 97% severed when he arrived. The surgeons were able to reattach his arm and save it. He was awake when we were moving him, a smile on his face, he was going home.
The second person was a young man that had a gunshot wound to his head; he also arrived 60 hours ago. He has over 100 staples from the nape of his neck in a semi circle to his forehead. When we started to lift him to the bus he opened one eye. I winked at him and he smiled and winked back.
Working on a day off is not so bad............."
Rich is making such a big difference with his troops and helping them deal with their time in the combat zone.
Before leaving for Iraq, he was givenanother name by my Uncle Lloyd who is not only an Onondaga Elder and Chief but also a former Marine. The name translates to "He stands with the people". A more fitting name could not have been given.
I am sure he would appreciate some encouraging letters.
MSgt Rich Barham
332 AEW EMDG/CASF
APO AE 09315-9997
============================
This is from a young corpsman who works at Bethesda Naval Hospital I have been communicating with. He has asked for our prayers. Please do so.
Doc,
Just wanted to let you know that my next surgery is scheduled for 8 Feb. I am getting a full laminectomy at the L5 region. I know I'm not a member of NAMC yet but I would like your prayers sent my way. This is my second surgery following my injury onboard the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) during Operation Southern Comfort (Joint Task Force Katrina). Hopefully this will be my final surgery. Wish me luck as I go under the knife again.
Thanks
Doc Jeff Cohan
Please send your prayers and thoughts his way on Feb 8th
Kerry "Doc" Pardue
National Commander, Medics & Corpsmen
http://www.medics-corpsmen.org/ (http://www.medics-corpsmen.org/)