I get pretty weary of American citizens or our allies referring to George W. Bush as a terrorist. He is not a perfect man and he has made mistakes. I wonder if anyone could tell me of a man and/or president who hasn’t. Consider the leaders during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam. In retrospect, mistakes were made, but that is part of war and as it is aptly stated “Hindsight is 20/20”.

I wanted to go through my last 4 days and use what my days consisted of to dispel this notion once and for all, that the Commander in Chief or the military members who serve under him are terrorists.

Earlier in the week, I was asked to write the death certificates for some military members whose Helicopter went down. It was not easy and as I was going about the task, my thoughts went immediately to families who were grieving. This was also sobering for me as I have flown many times in the very helicopter that crashed and it was not difficult to see myself in their position. The next couple of days were spent clearing injured patients for aerovac. This is a 24/7 job. There are always helicopters coming and going, planes coming and going, patients being loaded and unloaded, techs, nurses, and docs caring for these wounded warriors. In addition, we are the place where the locals will bring their children and family members for care when they need it. In the past 4 days, I have been involved in the care for two children who have been struck by IEDs and were brought to our facility for care, I have also been involved in caring for two children who had head trauma following car accidents and one child last night who fell into a BBQ and severely burned her face, hands and knees. We had another young child who was shot through the butt and leg by a sniper. When I was helping one child the father came up to me and thanked me and looked up to the heavens and gave thanks as well. I do not think he thought of me as a terrorist. If your child was injured, you would not bring them to a terrorist or “The Great Satan” for medical care. The Iraqi’s appreciate the care they receive from us and hope and pray for more. I am just one doc retelling a four day period, consider how many docs we have and how long we have been here doing the very same thing. That is one of the reasons why the Iraqis will often plead with us not to leave. I have heard them say, “Please do not leave us”

That brings me to last night. I finished my 16 hour shift clearing patients at 7am. I went back to my trailer and got about 4-5 hours of sleep. After lunch, I went to write some emails and my commander stated that he needed me to transport a detainee to hospital where detainees are cared for. This patient was on a ventilator. He was on a ventilator because, he received quite a bit of trauma after he and his two buddies were caught by an attack helicopter setting an IED. He survived, his accomplices did not. After the incident he was picked up by a medevac helicopter and brought to us for care. He received excellent care and will likely survive. This type of activity surely does not sound like the work of a group whose commander is a terrorist. This is a story of a group of armed service members who do not take war as a personal vendetta rather a profession of arms.

As the nurses, techs and I prepared him for transport, one of the docs came up and in frustration stated that he wish he had just died. I understand that emotion. We see a lot of service members and civilians who have been injured, maimed, and killed by IEDs. A lot of resources were going to be used to care for this man who hours before was trying to kill us. I didn’t respond to him, just nodded with an understanding nod and thought about a higher calling. Jesus told us: “In as much as you do it for the very least of my brethren, you do it unto me” Matthew 25:40 I think this man qualified as the very least of my brethren. So as I struggle with the emotions of it all, I imagine, this is Christ I am caring for. And I try, but fail often, to “do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” Colossians 3:23

I hope everyone can see the compassion of the troops, who are following the lead of their Commander in Chief. He is no terrorist.

Solis Deo Gloria

More thoughts to come