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, 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.
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