Posted on 12/25/2004 1:01:11 AM PST by Cableguy
It made my day, and I'm pretty certain it made theirs too. It's Christmas Eve, though it didn't feel like it. There are some good decorations in the hospital, but we had no Christmas music in the OR today, and no snow on the ground. No nativity scenes or festive cheer in this part of the world. Then, after a routine for here but hardly routine day in the OR, my day was made. I'm referring to the interaction I witnessed and helped facilitate between a young injured soldier and a high ranking official. Here is how it happened:
I was reading foxnews.com at around noon when I told the anesthesiologist that "the Donald" was in town on a surprise visit. No, not Donald Trump, but Donald Rumsfeld. He laughed cynically and said no way would he come here. Well, at around 1600 I was in the OR and I was told that Rumsfeld was downstairs, and we could go down there if we wanted to. I was not in a position to leave, obviously.
Well, the timing worked out well, because I was taking my patient to the recovery room when we wheeled the stretcher through a mob of dignitaries, to include 3 and 4 star generals. I knew the Secretary was nearby, and it turns out he was in the ICU. The patient drew enough attention because of his bruised, banged up face that the 4 star came over to get his story from the surgeon. I was doing some charting by the bedside when Mr. Rumsfeld came over and heard the kid's story from the 4-star. Rumsfeld looked concerned and kind of kept his distance from the gruesome site. He said something like "bless his heart", as if talking around him.
That is when I, without any thought, piped in with "Sir, you can talk to him, he's awake." He told the soldier, named Rob, how proud he was of his service. The soldier was in a bit of disbelief, because he couldn't see with one eye patched and the other swollen shut. He said he wanted to talk to Rumsfeld. That's when I said "He's standing right to your left, Rob, that's his voice you hear. You can talk to him." The kid was nervous at that point, but sputtered out how honored he was to talk to him. Mr. Rumsfeld replied, "No, it's an honor for me to talk to you."
Then remarkably, the young soldier, who had just lost his left hand and right eye from an explosion, came to the defense of the Secretary of Defense, stating "Mr. Rumsfeld, I want you to know, that you are doing a fantastic job. I know that you are taking a lot of heat for the problems with getting armor for vehicles. I want you to know that things are vastly improved. Our vehicles are great, and I have never searched through junk piles for scrap metal."
At this point, Rumsfeld looked choked up, and I had a lump in my throat and and watery eyes. It was moving. What makes a man who has been so close to death, and maimed for life, come to the defense of the Army's highest ranking official? Loyalty, I dare say. Did Rob think Mr. Rumsfeld was having a self-esteem problem? In his greatest hour of need, his thoughts went to the emotional needs of another. I found it quite amazing, and moving. The Secretary took out a coin and gave it to a bystander for him, as if he didn't know he could touch him. Finally, the soldier said, "Man, Donald Rumsfeld, I wish I could shake his hand."
Even at that, I felt Mr. Rumsfeld needed some prompting, so I picked up the kid's arm and looked at the Secretary, and he reached out and took the kid's hand. After the entourage left, I took the coin and placed it in the soldiers hand, for him to feel and hold. I said, "that's not one you'll get every day." He was happy. I told the person caring for him to make certain that coin went with him to his room. I was assured that he would. I told Rob it was an honor to care for him, and then went on to do my next case. I'd like to see him tomorrow, but I heard he is flying out tonight.
I am grateful that I was placed in a position to help what could have been a mediocre interaction, fantastic. Judging by people's facial expressions, it was truly unique. Someone took a picture as this was happening, so once I get a hold of it, I'll send it along.
Merry Christmas to you and yours..
Wonderful! Great to read, and for sure we'll never see a word of it in the MSM. I made the mistake of turning on the BBC yesterday -- they were 'analyzing' Rumsfeld's visit. (Rumsfeld's sole reason for going to Iraq was to counteract recent bad press. Sure, soldiers cheered, even gave him a standing O...but they're dolts. The implication was that if American soldiers had the brains they were borh with, they'd have all run off to Canada by now.) I turned the BBC off. Enough was enough.
I feel that way as well, but it's going to mean a whole lot more to Rummy coming from our wounded warrior. God bless Rob, God bless Rummy, and God bless our military men and women, every one.
Great find! Thanks for the article. Bookmarking it for keeps.
I cried openly while reading this. God bless our armed forces, greatest people who will ever live!
That is showing amazing presence of mind for someone just out of surgery. I would think that most people, if they can speak at all, usually manage "mumble mumble feel terrible mumble go away mumble" and stuff like that.
If anyone here works in the senate, I hope they print this out and give a copy to McCain, Hagel, Collins and Lott. Look at what they are doing, look at what was on that young man's mind.
I fear their political motives and personal agendas would blind them to this message.
"Yea, though I am wounded, I am not slain,
I'll lay me down and bleed awhile, and then arise and Fight Again!"
Ping me when the pics are posted, I'd love to see them. :)
Great post, thank you.
Here is your ping.
I found this via your post on another thread. Thank you for getting it out there.
I am reminded of the ancient Celtic poem:
"Yea, though I am wounded, I am not slain,
I'll lay me down and bleed awhile, and then arise and Fight Again!"
Thanks, very appropriate.
"Where do we get these men?"
These men and women come from every area of humanity that makes up the culture of these United States. A large majority of them, including the courageous young Patriot of whom this article speaks, is from the generation that has been called spoiled, pampered and selfish. The generation about which much has been said and written, mostly in negative terms.
Suprise! Suprise! This generation of Americans, same as every other generation from our founding Fathers and Mothers to the present generation, arise to the challange, whatever it may be.
America will be in the hands of the best there is, tomorrow, just like it has always been.
May God bless all our valient young warriors. Bless their hearts.
Amen
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1307671/posts?page=5#5
That's the first-hand account from the one who asked Rummy the killer question about how biased the media is.
ping
This entire administration has men and women just as dedicated to the people in our armed forces as Rummy showed there. From the Presidents on down, through Cheney, Powell and Rice......
thanks for the ping
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