Today we recieved our electronic copy of the Brown Alumni Magazine with a great article by Cathy Shufro. She interviewed me about my time in Balad, and also writes about Dr. Agustus White, an impressive and accomplished orthopedic surgeon. During the Vietnam war, he served as an Army surgeon caring for injured troops. He found time on weekends to volunteer at a Vietnamese leper hospital and improved the lives of many . You can find Ms. Shufro's article here. I think that she very well captures my thoughts and experiences from the war. Below is a portrait that Austin photographer Matthew Mahon took for the article.
I've kind of got the big eyes, but it certainly is a accurate representation of me! He has a fascinating website here.
I'm starting preparations to head back to the war. It's really depressing to consider being apart from M. and the boys again. However, I console myself with several facts. My time over there is so much shorter than many other troops'. Although the scenes in our wartime hospital are grisly and tragic, I'm still doing the same job: surgeon stateside, surgeon deployed. And as long as our brave young men and women are over there getting shot and blown up, it is our duty as military surgeons to go over there and try to get them home alive. Yesterday I had breakfast with a soldier who told me that he and his troops are able to do their job with confidence because they believe that as long as they are not killed on the spot, our military medical system will keep them alive. I've heard that same statement many times before and it is a very humbling and responsibility-laden compliment.
I am hopeful in my belief that the will of the American people is finally being heard and Congress is going to get us all home. I just wish they would hurry up. I speak from my conscience when I say supoort our troops, bring them home.
Be well,
Chris
Feedburner Link
No comments:
Post a Comment