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I am:

1. A medically retired Soldier (medically retired in 1997, or I would still be "doing the nasty" in strange and smelly places"), and

2. A "Legitimate" holder of three "I forgot to duck" buttons (aka the Purple Heart medal/ribbon awarded by the US Army...anybody want to see the five plus inches that constitute my medical record?), and

3. A holder of the CMB (the Combat Medic Badge...awarded by the US Army for "...providing direct medical support while in support of combat operations against enemies of the United States...": the only award (other than the Purple Heart) that one NEVER wants to receiver as a Combat Medic), and

4. A holder of a "real" award for valor (as opposed to Kerry's "I supported the war before I opposed the war" version"...anybody want to see my DD 214?), and

5. The owner of a very successful small business (that I own, pay taxes on, employ a significant number of folks in, and have my two kids as my "business partners" in), and

6. Am a long time "lurker", and first time poster to Free Republic, and

7. Have FINALLY seen something on FR that STRUCK A CHORD with me, and

8. Have to say, this story brought tears to my eyes. I have to admit (when I am not to busy to think about it) that I feel guilty that I am to old/busted up/broken to be there with my brother and sister medics on the front lines.

All I can say is that the "Combat Medic" series by this author brought back a lot of memories, and reminded me of a "...time long, long ago, in a place far, far away...". I pray daily for our troops on the line in the GWOT (Global War on Terrorism, to use Pentagon Speak), and I wish like h..l that I could be there with them.

A Proud Combat Medic.....

Dustoff 339

My friend. You are a true hero. I thank you for your kind words and I congratulate you on your first post. I also want to thank you for your service to your country.

I would love to hear some of your stories if you feel like telling them. I know that they tear at your heart and I would more than understand if you do not want to talk of them.

You e-mail me anytime my friend. steven.newton1@att.net

God love ya my brother.

Steve Newton

I will echo Steve Newton and say "My friend, you are a true hero. I thank you for your kind words and I congratulate you on your first post. I also want to thank you for your service to your country."

Without people like you and your fellow soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen, we wouldn't be free. Those of us who merely observe, from thousands of miles away and in the comfort of our living rooms, what you and your comrades have done and are doing, are indebted to all of you.