Thoughts on Memorial Day

[Army Fencer]

We are closing in on another Memorial Day, and there is a lot to celebrate. The opening of the World War II Memorial and the sixty year anniversary of D-Day are the most notable. Here in DC, the stories of the veterans of this long gone era have been all over the news, on the lips of everyone on the Metro, and on all the tourists' hats. They are stories of valor, of heroism, and of sacrifice.

Sacrifice. Less than two weeks ago was the first time I saw that word after our first classmate, 2LT Lenny Cowherd, died in Iraq. I cried. Before that, I thought I knew what that word meant. In my arrogance, I thought it was a sacrifice to go to West Point, to get into medical school, and to give my heart, my soul, and my energy to the athletic teams I led. But sacrificing nights at the pub with friends, the weekend passes, or even the hours upon hours of sleep to study, all pale in comparison to a self-sacrifice to the country. I have come to realize today that sacrifice involves choices, and those choices you make are for a greater good than yourself. The best examples I see of that are the veterans down at The Mall this afternoon.

And then it hits me: we are the veterans of today.

I was barely accepted into medical school. Had I not, I would be in Iraq or Afghanistan right now, in harm's way. I would be a platoon leader, and thirty young soldiers would be looking to me for guidance and leadership. Would I be able to lead them well? Would I be able to explain to them why we are in combat? Would I be able to keep all my soldiers safe so they can return to their families? I really don’t know.

Personally, I have a different calling, a different purpose. Since my classmate’s death, that purpose—-of studying to be the best doctor I can be for the soldiers in the US Army-—has become far more important. And when the time comes, I will have my own set of challenges and, yes, sacrifices. It will be an honor to serve my country by doing my duty: medicinally serving the veterans of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Happy Memorial Day.


Isaac

[fencerjim]

To your first two paragraphs I say amen. The rest..just remember your calling is to care for the sick and injured. When a troop comes to you no matter what rank, have a good bedside manner, and treat him/her with the best you can give. Try not to become to crusty, and cynical. The army doctor that treated me after I was wounded is a good doctor. I still have cofee with him in his office from time to time. Happy Memorial day

Airborne all the Way..Hooah!

[gojujay]

Amen, brother.

USN 85-89

[HilandDoug]

God Bless you, Isaac. It is people like you that make the world a better place.

[Iwant2bafencer]

amen to that as well.