Medics At War: November 2006

Update on the little girl held by the Airforce Sergeant

Remember that picture of Sergeant John G. holding the little Iraqi girl who was shot in the head?

http://soldiersangelsmedical.blogspot.com/2006/10/next-time-someone-questions-whether-us.html

Update: I don't have any details on her condition, but she survived, and was taken home by members of her extended family. That photo may just become one of the iconic images of this war. CNN did a story on it and interviewed Sgt. G. The interviewer asked how it was that he was the only one able to comfort her.

He replied, "I'm just old and have a big lap". Isn't that always the way it is with people who really make a difference in this world?

A childhood friend of his wrote to me and said that was typical of John.

Now lets all go out and keep making a difference.

-rog

Meet the Medics - Part Two

Here are some more of the medics that Soldier's Angels has been supporting:

I am the Officer in Charge of the Al Asad surgical Company located at Al Asad Base in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. We provide the first level of care for those injured that need surgery. In other words, they come to us directly from the point of injury. We have been busy, but it is rewarding to have the opportunity to save so many lives that would have been lost if it wasn't for our efforts. I lead a great group of nurses, corpsman and marines who work every day, and all day, if necessary. There are no such things as weekends for us until we make it back home.I recently received several boxes of coffee and backpacks (loaded with great items). Attached are some pictures of my staff with the coffee. The back packs go to our injured marines/soldiers as something "special" before they are MEDEVAC'd to higher levels of care.Your notes are especially nice to read – some by those who have first hand experience in previous conflicts. We thank you for your kindness and rest assured every item is appreciated and will be used.CDR Richard S., MC, USNOIC, Al Asad Surgical

The nurses at Al Asad, with some of that great coffee we send by the ton...

The E/R team at Al Asad. They got coffee too.

The Mustang Aviation Health Clinic at

HHC 1-108th AVN BN/36th CAB
LSA ANACONDA

Operation Beanie Drop - Photos are here!

A lot of Angels sent Beanie Babies, socccer balls and school supplies to Major Mike J. at the 506 AEG/EMEDS for the Iraqi Kids.

Here are some pictures he just sent me. Thanks to all of you wonderful folks who helped out.

PS: I want a hat like that for Christmas!

BACKPACKS TO THE WOUNDED FROM SOLDIER'S ANGELS

We have sent over 5,000 of our Transitional Backpacks to the Middle-East and Germany for use by our wounded soldiers. Here are a few......

Two Marines, hit by an IED

An Army Soldier, hit by an IED

An Army of Bears...ready to hit back

Veteran's Day - 2006

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.
-Henry Miller (1891-1980)

In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.
-Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956)

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. - Arthur Ashe

We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.
-Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

A hero is someone we can admire without apology
-Kitty Kelley

It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.
-Norman Schwarzkopf

....The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here....
-Abraham Lincoln, from the Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863

Meet Our Medics - the people you've been writing to

Here are just of a few of the Medics that you Angels have been sending snacks, toiletries, holiday decorations, letters and the comforts of home to:

On behalf of the 257th Med Co (DS) I want to thank so much for your quick response in sending the coffee and snacks. We were thrilled to receive the generous gifts and it has definitely boasted our morale. I want to thank you and your supporters for being part of our mission in preserving our freedoms and our way of life. We were especially touched by all of the notes from folks around the country. It feels good to know that we are not alone in this battle. So many were praying for us and we thank God for those prayers. Again, my sincere thanks and appreciation for all of your support and generosity. Sincerely, COL Karl K.

Naomi and her team who bring the wounded into the E/R at Balad Main Hospital

Thank you for our support, there are a lot of people who don’t agree with our mission or with this war on terror and it’s so nice to receive thanks and praise for what we do. It also makes me proud to be an American and proud to be supporting this mission. Thank you!

Shannon, Darenda and some of the E/R team at Balad Main Hospital

Wow I recived about 13 boxes today, it was amazing!!! I want to thank you for helping me get supplies here, people may consider us hero's, but to us you are our hero's. I also received your box of goodies. The gummy bears were a huge hit. We also received more coffee today, sheets, pillows, pillow cases, cloths and toys. Thank you again for helping me out words can never explain how much it means to us.

Getting a care package is like having gold. Everybody lights up and the mood changes when we recieve anything from home. Thank you for all the support you have given the troops around the world . It's nice to know that America still knows that their is a war going on and are willing to donate their time and money to help us get through this with a little love from you all.

I am the Officer in Charge of the Al Asad surgical Company located at Al Asad Base in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. We provide the first level of care for those injured that need surgery. In other words, they come to us directly from the point of injury. We have been busy, but it is rewarding to have the opportunity to save so many lives that would have been lost if it wasn't for our efforts. I lead a great group of nurses, corpsman and marines who work every day, and all day, if necessary. There are no such things as weekends for us until we make it back home.

I recently received several boxes of coffee and backpacks (loaded with great items). Attached are some pictures of my staff with the coffee. The back packs go to our injured marines/soldiers as something "special" before they are MEDEVAC'd to higher levels of care.

Your notes are especially nice to read – some by those who have first hand experience in previous conflicts. We thank you for your kindness and rest assured every item is appreciated and will be used.

CDR Richard S., MC, USN

OIC, Al Asad Surgical

PHOTOS FROM BALAD HOSPITAL

Just thought I'd share some of the pictures I have received from our contacts at the Balad Main Hospital and the Evac unit. I'll let them speak for themselves. What could I possibly add to these images......