Memorial Day

[cornerofmadness]

As I've mentioned many times, most of my family was military. In a perfect world, I'd be a Light Colonel in the Air Force by now but that was not to be. I did my service as a base doctor for every branch of the military except Marines and was a VA doctor. I even served with the head of the VA for my speciality and typical of my horrible timing, he retired that year and his place not filled so my shoe in to becoming a permanent VA doc was gone and so were my chances in a male-dominated place.

I never forgot my veterans. I'm still active in helping the vets on campus, which make up a growing population of our students. And I here I'm pausing for a moment of silence and to offer up a thank you for those who have given their all for this country.

"Not Enough - Connor & Angel" (Watch on YouTube)

(this song is alternately tear jerking and disturbing)

Comments

[marynachaotica.livejournal.com]

I can never forget. Served in the Army, and always froze with tears rolling down my face whenever Taps would sound. Cannot even look at a picture of Arlington without breaking down in tears.

Plus my late husband served in the Korean War in the Pusan Offensive. He had nightmares at least once a month about that time, but rarely spoke of it. Other than to say he was one of the lucky few who got out of the Pusan alive and in one piece. I read about the horrors of the Pusan Offensive and almost got physically ill.

So yeah...to all the warriors residing in Valhalla....I salute you!

*tearing up*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

right

[helliongoddess.livejournal.com]

I can't make it all the way through that video - we just buried my dad there last August, with the full military funeral - the caisson, gun salute, taps, the whole thing. It's still too fresh for me... (and I found the concerned looking pictures of Bush and Cheney rather disturbing. As I remember, Trace Adkins and I are pretty much polar opposites when it comes to politics. But it's your journal post and not mine so I'll resist the urge to rant.)

Thank you for all you do and have done for the vets. In the last years of his life much of dad's care was from VA physicians and other specialists and they were always wonderful. My daughter-in-law is a Navy vet and uses the VA for a lot of her medical care. I went with them to the VA hospital when she had some surgery earlier this year, and I was very impressed with everything and everyone I encountered there.

I've made two Afghans I want to give to the VA to give to someone who might enjoy them, I just keep forgetting to send them up with the girls. I figured with my heath issues right now I cant really volunteer, but I can sure as hell crochet something useful while I sit on my fat arse at home!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yes he's my polar opposite as well mostly posting the sentiment and have to ignore the man.

oh cool about the afghans. that's very nice.

I found the vet both wonderful (the vets themselves) and horrible (government run health care) at the same time. I do miss it. At least at the school I can continue to help.

[helliongoddess.livejournal.com]

There's an older VA hosp. in Hampton that has a terrible rep - run down, crowded, dirty, and just poor care - I've known 2 psychiatrists and a cardiologist from there and none had much good to say about it. Fortunately for us about the time dad started needing VA services they opened a gorgeous huge new facility in Richmond. They actually ended up putting him in a small local nursing home and covering all the expenses when he needed FT dementia care, but it was a very pretty little place, and he had a room overlooking the water, which was kind of a great way for him to spend his last year or so, if he had to be someplace like that. They were very good, and the VA staff came around at least once a week to check on all the vets in the home.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to hear that. WHen I started in the VA it was in the boom of the HMO cock up and all the doctors were fleeing INTO the VA instead of out. There was some really good care then when the gov. wasn't tying your hands over the cost of tests and newer better meds.

Happy Memorial day...

[ookamikagakusha.livejournal.com]

I think it's great to see that other take this holiday seriously (as I told ELD) get images and video!

Re: Happy Memorial day...

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I do. very much so.