hello from DFW

[dannistim]

I've been getting the magazine for a few years now and finally stumbled onto the forums while doing a search on Google... ::)

I'm 35, have and associates in electronics, was downsized from corporate America after 9-11 and am currently in the Army as a medic. I deployed as an ER tech in 2004. I was part of the 31st CSH (combat support hospital). Our hospital was staffed at less than 75% then split in half to man 2 separate hospitals, one in Balad, Iraq, the other in Baghdad, Iraq. I was in Baghdad. Our hospital saw OVER 60%!!! of theater casualties. We were so swamped. we worked 14 hour shifts every day for 3 months. To give you an idea of how busy we were; I didn't have a haircut for three months and nobody complained. I would just lop it off with my trauma shears when it got in the way. I had hands on most casualties that came through on my shift and I alternated between day and night shift about equally so its a safe bet to say that I had hands on nearly a quarter of theater casualties in Iraq for 2004. It has to be the best thing I have ever done in my life. Better than even seeing the birth of my first child. To be part of the difference between life and death of thousands of sons, daughters, mothers and fathers and all the people that love them. I am so grateful that I of all people have been given the honor to make such a difference in the lives of so many.

There is a dark side too. I have witnessed so much carnage and death and suffering. I have literally been baptized in the blood and guts and brains and worse of my countrymen and of the Iraqi people as well. The memory of the stench of blood, fear, death, seared and rotting flesh, the screams of agony and the expressions of those past the point of screaming, the visions of literally thousands of shattered people are burned into my heart. I am a different person than my wife married and I am so grateful that she is standing by me. Freedom is never free and I would have to say that my family pays the price for it every bit as much as I do. I know they miss me terribly when I'm gone. I wonder if they miss the person I used to be.

[WRTN]

Welcome dannistim!

I flew MEDEVAC with the 421st EVAC Bn for about 9 years and during Desert Storm myself. We supported the 86th CSH. You are in good company here.

Give your wife and things lots of time. War changes everyone who has that T-shirt. My wife and kids still look at me like I have lost my mind when a loud or unexpected noise pins me to the ceiling. Smells, sounds, and various activities will trigger thoughts and memories good and bad.

How long have you been gone from Bliss?

[dannistim]

Thanks to both of you. I've been gone from bliss since Oct '06.

[flatwater]

Wecome home son and I have but one question. Did ya starilize those surgical shears after your hair cut? I agree , your never the same when you come back from war. My war was 4 tours of Nam from 66 to 70. A good wife that is understanding plus some outside counseling got me to heal somewhat but it never leaves you , you just learn to deal with it. Thanks for your service.
Flatwater

[dannistim]

Before and After. In my opinion the before was far more important.

[flatwater]

Ya , you could have cut your self :o
Flatwater

[dannistim]

I do deal with it the best I can. One bit of knowledge I do have is several thousand up close and personal examples of what bullets, explosions and other missiles do to people. That's why I'm not the greatest fan of handguns for self defense. Certainly they're better than a sharp stick. Also, more likely to be toted on your person at all times so as to be there when you need it. I have no problem with them in the role of life insurance. When I do have a problem with handguns is when you KNOW you are going into harm's way or when keeping a weapon to investigate things that go bump in the night. For me 99.99% of all the times I've gone investigating night noises it has been nothing but one of my cats being stupid but ONE time it was a whacked out crack head with a machette and a grudge!