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The respect keeps coming...
As many of you mentioned in your emails, this website has suddenly grown quite a bit in popularity. We have been overwhelmed by all the emails we are receiving. Even more overwhelming is the unanimous support and kind words from everyone. The emails are incredible. They are coming from all over the US. They are from kids and adults. There are emails from a lot of military veterans, including one from WW II, one from Korea, and many from Viet Nam. A lot of the emails are from current or former military personnel. A lot of emails are from people with medical jobs. There have been several emails from people with loved ones over here, even a few with loved ones who were involved in the DFAC bombing. I have attached quite a few here for all of your review. I apologize to those who sent really nice emails who are not found below, but there has just been so many. I will do my best to continue to provide you all a perspective of what the soldiers here are doing on a Day to Day basis... Thanks to everyone for all their kind words and support. The Soldiers of the 67th CSH appreciate all the kind words!
To the soldiers of the 67th, Dear Doctors, Nurses and Staff,
I am the father of the soldier with the head injury you
treated on 9/14/04. [see
link on 14 SEP] I've always wanted to learn who
helped to save his life at the CSH in Mosul and at Baghdad.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your service. Thank
you for doing a difficult job very well.
If you would like to know how things went from 9/22/04 when
he arrived at Walter Reed to the present, you can log on to
www.strykernews.com, look for Scott Thorne on the right
side of the webpage, scroll way down to the start and read
up from there. There are also photos on the site showing his
progress. Look for the 1/14 Cavalry photos, then Scott in
Iraq. There's even a video of him doing PT at Walter Reed.
He is here with his family for the holidays before returning
to Ft. Lewis on 1/3/05. Once there, he will be decorated and
promoted (to Staff Sergeant (E-6)) by his unit. Then, he
goes back to therapy at the local VA facilities (American
Lake and Seattle) before returning to Walter Reed for a
cranioplasty sometime in March 2005.
We're not sure if he will be able to return to duty, but
we're not going to give up trying.
Thank you again.
We hope all is well with the
67th docs and that all the troops come home, safe and sound,
soon. Bless you for your life saving service and the
information on your site.
I was in Korea during the
Christmas Season in 1950 so I am familiar with the
experience of being miles from home and family. I had just
gotten married on June 5, the North invaded on June 25
and very soon I received my notice to report for active
duty from the Inactive Reserve. We spent the winter (
reached 40 degrees below zero) with summer clothing and
bedding. No bathing, no beer, nothing but duty and mutton
stew for a year except a week of R & R in Sasebo, Japan.
Pay, about 50.00 per month.
I had just completed 2 years
service in the Phillipines and a year at Fort Lewis, I
guess the Army felt I needed a another switch in climate.
Again, Thanks from a 77 year old
Kansas Sad Sack
Hey guys, I’m not sure if you know it, but your blog is getting quite a bit of publicity. You were featured on CSPAN radio Friday, and MAJ Cohen’s mom was on for most of the show. In response to the “no respect” posting, I want you all to know you are getting quite a bit of respect from those of us receiving casualties stateside. I’m one of the general surgeons on the trauma team at NNMC Bethesda, so I see your work every day. You guys are doing a hell of a job, and saving lots of lives (you’re making our lives really busy, but hell, no one is shooting at us while we are working). Any way, I just wanted you to know there are a bunch of docs and patients over here who think you guys are doing a great job.
I was disappointed to hear that Fox, my favorite news
channel, only mentioned the efforts of our medics in Germany in
treating the victims of the mess tent bombing that you had to
deal with on that horrible day.
Thank you for all that you do. I read your blog and it makes me proud of our military and proud of my job in the Army Reserve as well. I am a reservist cross leveled from the 3297th USAH at Ft Gordon, GA to the 7233d Medical Support Unit, Tuskegee, AL to the Robertson Blood Donor Center at Ft Hood TX. We solicit blood donors, prepare, package and ship blood and blood components for the Army. Business has been slim until the recent attack. We held a blood drive at the PX the day of the attack, and had more business than usual. People were coming in saying they wanted to do their part to help save a life. Even in the days following we have had more donors coming to the center citing the recent attack as motivation for their willingness to donate. We, on this end, are doing our part to get blood to you. Again, thank you for all that you do. You are the vital link.
I found your site surfing the
net Christmas morning. I have found this site to be profound and
interesting. Both my husband and I are nurses. My husband is a
surgical nurse, and I am former ER nurse. We live in a small
community in Indiana. I thought that I might give you news from
the U.S. In the midwest this morning, our area to be specific it
is -17 without the windchill, in the last 3 days we have had a
major snow storm, dropping a whopping 34 inches in some areas.
We are so proud of our of our
military personnel. Your daily service is noted here, in this
country very much.
I agree with your postings about
things in Iraq, we never really get the truth, one thing we do
agree with is the fact that everyone there is doing the very
best they can with what they have. I will close with this from a
small family in Indiana, none of your are forgotten here, we all
pray for your safety, and look forward to the time when ALL can
return home.
I am a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam
conflict from 1966-1972.
After you have served you still remember significant memories
and experiences that
arouse emotions probably not experienced by civilians who have
never been there.
After reading your website on the teamwork of the 67th Combat
Support Hospital
I felt compelled to say THANK YOU for being there and for you
compassionate
patriotism to prevail in the treatment of the casualties. I was
most impressed
by the "can do" professional attitude and teamwork to prioritize
the casualties
and provide medical coverage to all the patients. I know this
is hard to maintain
during such a chaotic mass-casualty crisis. You and your staff
are a professional
medical team that has measured-up and prevailed under very
austere conditions
and medical facilities.
There is a tone of patriotism through-out your memoirs that
reminds me of the
Army motto that greats new recruits that enter the Fort Jackson,
S.C. basic
training center. There is a large USA flag with the black and
yellow words
underneath that reads: THIS WE DEFEND-SECOND TO NONE!. Thank
you DOCTOR for your professional care and tireless leadership!
You have
my enduring respect and support.
I just wanted to send you a note to let you and your fellow
soldiers know how grateful I am for all that you are doing both as
soldiers, and through your web-site. Through your web-site, I have a
way to show my three young children how important your work is, and
just what you have given up or are missing out on to get the job
done.
I heard about your blog site on Cspan this morning. They did a
long segment about you guys with special attention to the DFAC
attack. I immediately put your site in my bookmarks and will
visit each day to find out what is going on. I'm an old-time
VietNam vet and I know what its like to be far away from home on
the holidays. Somehow, those ego boosting messages posted
around duty sites from the brass just don't cut it, even though
they are appreciated. There is no way any of us "in the world"
can say how much your efforts are appreciated except to just say
that they are. There's a lot of debate about this Iraq war,
both pro and con. But no matter which side is right, there can
be no doubt that you guys are the heros and deserve all the
support you can get. Tonight, I'm up late putting out presents
for my kids for in the morning. I just wanted to take a break
to say "Hi!". Whatever holidays you celebrate, I hope they
bring you peace and joy. I wish I could just stick my hand
through this screen and hand you an egg nog with a little
whiskey and nutmeg on the top. Best of luck to all of you, God
Bless and come home safe!
Hi: The first thing i heard this morning was your mother, talking
with Brian Lamb on Washington Journal. Soon as my coffee was made, i
added your blog to my "favs" and proceeded from the beginning, all
the way through to the end, sharing your photos and links. It's now
3:03 p.m.
Obviously, words cannot express what I truly wish to convey to
you all (and, yes, I know that I am not the most articulate or
sophisticated kind of guy), but, sincerely, thank you for your
continued service, your sacrifice, your hard work, and best wishes
for a quiet and happy Holiday season. My thoughts and prayers are
with you all, and hoping for a quick and safe return for you all.
Also, please pass on my best wishes to those with which you are
spending your holiday season.
I happened to catch the TV news this morning with the news of
this site. I visited it just a few minutes ago and God Bless.
I am not a Bush Supporter and I hate everyday that you fellows
are over there. It is like Viet Nam why are we trying to
change these people? They have been like this for decades. I
don't feel like you can defeat insurgents in their own
country. I had no good feelings when they said Donald Rumsfield
was their today. I think it was more for his career than to
assure the army of anything. The times we live in are getting
worse. I am a widow, 69 years of age and have three
grandsons in their teens. Well I guess I got a lot off my
chest and I'm so happy to have found this site. I enjoyed
listening to your mother this a. m. I am part of the Greatest
Generation and I want and pray for all of you to come home
soon. I am in awe of your work in the battlefield.
We are all pulling for you and are
behind the war and efforts of our troops.
Hang in there and forget about the
Mass Media.
You are doing great things for the
Iraqi people.
Thank you for your efforts in Iraq! Your website was given out this morning on a news program and I believe your mother was being interviewed via phone. She did a great job! Thank you for putting together your website. I’ve been wanting to hear some news from someone in the trenches to know what is really happening for awhile. I appreciate all your hard work and sacrifices as well as your families sacrifice.
You have tons of appreciation and support from the people in Idaho. There are signs all around with well wishes on business windows thanking all our military and support our troops yellow ribbons on the majority of cars driving around as well as radio spots between every 3 or so Christmas songs thanking all our military personnel. I hope this encourages you during the holidays.
To the medical team who saved the lives of the troops:
I started my day as usual, watching
CSPAN's Washington Journal. Brian Lamb was speaking
with your mom during the segment regarding whether or not we
should leave Iraq. Firstly I would like to commend you for your
blog. I will be forwarding it to everyone on my email list.
I'd also like to say, as a disabled Navy veteran of Desert Storm
how proud I am for all the work your team is doing and all the
sacrifices you are making for all of us back here at home. G-d
bless you all and please have a happy and healthy holiday
season.
Why the acrid tone in the "No Respect" Article? Surely an
article has been printed about the medical efforts of
Americans in Iraq. I believe I saw one on NBC or perhaps in
Time Magazine. I wouldn't worry if Fox News dropped the
ball on this story; they can't be counted on for accurate
news reporting.
Great commentary. Unbelievable what you guys went through earlier this week. All I can say is THANKS! You are THE MAN. Thanks for serving in the name of Freedom and making us all very, very proud.
You guys are AWESOME! Keep up the great work. Merry Christmas
and stay safe.
Caught your story on the news and had to visit your site. I
don't know any of you yet all of you are in my prayers.
America is proud of each and every one of you and we all
await the day that each of you is back home in the warmth of
your famiy's care. Until that time, we honor you for what
you do for us and the people of Iraq, we are proud of you
and we pray for you.
Merry Chrsitmas! Happy New Year! Thank you and God Bless to
each of you!
What you guys do is amazing. I am struck by your words, and how little my daily practice of medicine has in common with yours. Safe return, and Merry Christmas no matter what.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas
and a very Happy New Year.
Thanks for being there for those who
need your skills.
I just found a websight www.67cshdocs.com. read the lastest
posting. Give us a story of these brave Doctors in action.Show these
guys the respect they have EARNED.
After reading this mornings Inquier I cannot begin to thank you and all the Combat Support Doctors. Know that we at home fully support your misson and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you and return you safely home to Bucks County, Pa.
As I sit here in my warm, cozy,
little world, on Christmas eve, I thought it was time to pause
and give thanks to our REAL family.
Words cannot express the gratitude
we have for you brave people. You have, and continue to go,
beyond the call of duty in you're fight for hope and freedom. I
hope you realize that what you are doing is noble and wise. I
also hope that your know that your efforts are commended and
greatly recognized!
Although I am not one of them, there
are some people in this land that disagree with the actions
being taken in Iraq. What you can be sure of is that NO ONE is
taking for granted the men and women whom are putting it on the
line 24/7. Please be assured that we, (all Americans) stand
behind you and GREATLY appreciate all of what you are doing. It
is incredible.
I know it isn't much, but these
words of encouragement are all I can give you this Christmas. I
know it isn't much..but it's all I've got. In the time I've
spent writing this, you have probably already given 100 %
more.....
Believe me when I say this- Your
efforts are NOT going unnoticed here at home. We Pray for you
everyday.
God Speed in your mission, and God
speed in your journey home.
Merry Christmas and please stay
safe.
I see CSPAN every morning and was glad to see that your story
and MAJ Cohens' mom were featured to day. Your CSH is doing a
great job! I know Col Cornum, the CO, at Landstuhl, she is a
great lady, wonderful physican and Gulf War POW and Hero!
Believe me she would be the first to say, that her hospital is
only continuing the life saving care that was initially
given to the wounded at your hospital.
I am a recently retired ANC LTC. I am also the wife of a 30
year retired SGM. I spent 5years , 10 months and 23 days on
active duty as an enlisted woman. I followed that with 5 years
and eight months of active duty years service and an ANC. That
was followed with 16 plus years in the USAR. I have been on
duty from Viet Nam, Just Cause, Shield and Storm. I watched
the bombing of Baghdad from the ICU at the old 97th General
Hospital in Frankfurt and all the little actions in between.
I am proud of you, all of you from the clerk to the cook. On
this Christmas Eve- I wish you a quiet night , a nice meal and
soon, very soon - Peace on this Earth.
God bless,
I just want to say thank you for your service...each and every
one of you. My daughter is a health inspector over at Marez....she
is with the 25th BSB. This has been a horrible last few days for all
of you. We heard from her yesterday via email and she is OK...she
did have a soldier die in her arms that she was trying to help right
after the explosion....that is waining on her emotionally....but she
says she will be fine. We received a phone call from her this
morning...she said it was amazing how everyone was trying so hard to
help each other...she did have to go down and do an inspection on
the defac yesterday and that was hard she said. Because of you all
there are some families that can be at peace this Christmas knowing
that their loved one will be ok.
What a shame that I had to learn of
the heroic efforts of your group on your website.
Why your work didn't receive the
kudos from the mainstream press it deserves is hard to
understand.
While, I am anti-war and
particularly this one, I must say "Thank You" to all of the
personnel of the 67th, and wish you all a Happy and Healthy New
Year.
Not a day passes that I do not think of our brothers and sisters
who serve the world over, many in dangerous places and inhospitable
climes. I thank you for your service and the many sacrifices you
make. You are in my thoughts ans prayers. Stay strong and be lucky.
I just discovered your web site while I watched C-Span
this morning. I wish I'd known about it sooner. Please tell
everyone you meet thank you for everything you all are doing in
Iraq. I was heartsick to hear about Mosul and the pictures the
imbedded reporter broke my heart. We, the little people who
don't have a voice in the media, want you to know how very
grateful we are and how proud we are of your efforts and
service. Thank you, thank you , thank you!!!!!!
PS. My father is buried in Arlington Nat'l Cemetary and
my father-in-law also. The later was awarded a Bronze Star and
a Purple Heart. We know you are doing important work.
I AM A RETIRED HEARING DISABLED GENERAL SURGEON. I PRACTICED GENERAL SURGERY AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, EPISCOPAL, AND FINALLY ST. MARY’S MEDICAL CENTER, LOWER BUCKS HOSPITAL, AND FRANKFORD/BUCKS HOSPITAL BEFORE BEING FORCED TO RETIRE DUE TO BILATERAL NERVE DEAFNESS. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOU AND ALL THE OTHER MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND SOLDIERS FOR YOUR SACRIFICES AND BRAVERY. AT AGE 53, I FEEL LIKE I RETIRED WAY TOO EARLY BUT I CAN READ LIPS WELL AND MY OPERATIVE SKILLS ARE AT A PEAK AND I WONDER IF I AM BEING FOOLISH BY WONDERING IF I COULD BE OF SOME HELP OVER THERE. ANYWAY, MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL THOSE WHO WERE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND I WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. BY THE WAY, YOUR WEB SITE IS GREAT.
From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you and all the
brave soldiers that are deployed in harm's way for all the great
work you are doing to keep us safe and give the Iraqis and
Afghanis a chance for a decent life. I found the last 2 postings
on your blog elucidating. At least you can't say its been
boring. I am a retired ob-gyn who did 5 years in the Army from
1970-1975. I trained in the Army at Fitzsimons in Denver. For 2
years I rode the elevators with the soldiers going for their
prosthesis. I will never forget that or forgive the people of
this country who called them every name under the sun. I see
much of the press doing the same thing today. I support the
mission and the soldiers and belong to organizations that do the
same. What you are doing over there is righteous and most
Americans laud you for it. We recently had an election
confirming the American people's support of your mission. I
personally write quite a few letters to the editor, a few of
which have actually been published. If you would like, I could
forward them to you.
Please let me know what we can do to help.
My best to all of you. Stay safe and come home soon. You are all
loved and respected. Merry Christmas and Happy Chanuka
Your comments were electrifying, I have not felt so close to
enemy fire since I was a dogface in WW11
I hope you all come home safely
I am a first time visitor to your website and have thoroughly
enjoyed it, thankyou for your fine work, I am a New Zealander
now a permanent resident in your country, but I may say, you are
all thought of every day and I know I am not the only one, many
in my home country know and understand the hardships of what you
are enduring, out part of the world has been suffereing at the
hands of terrorists in asia for years, we know the results and
we understand the hoplessness of it all.
I hope that people who watch such news casts as Fox take it with
a grain of salt, myself I prefer CNN, but they all look for the
bad and forget to mention the great acts going on behind the
scenes.
You are wonderful people doing an unenviable job, thankyou for
that.......you all give up so much whilst some folk here find
time to complain about being politically correct about Xmas
greetings, it really is pathetic but I guess that is what the
world is all about.Keep up the good work and I shall be checking
this site more often now and if there is any specific donations
or goods you would like sent over within normal peoples means
please also mention that.....I often wonder that there must be
someone over there without family that would appreciate some
communication eben if from a stranger such as myself.......and I
would be willing to email such a person with day to day from
here.I am of the age that you all could be my sons , and would
be proud to offer my help.........thanks again, it is Xmas Day
in my home country of New Zealand today and thus I wish you all
as safe a holiday as possible, take care and keep up the good
work.........
Thanks to people that give of themselves like all of you. I just
wish the people in this country would shut up and get behind the
military. This negativity is just what the enemy needs to feed
on. We also need to fight the war over here first.
Keep up the great things that you do, and God bless all.
Good day.
To all in your unit WELL DONE! I am really proud of all the U.S. soldiers doing their job so professionally no matter the circumstance. I wish you all the best of holiday greetings during this season , also remember you are all in our thoughts and prayers you are not forgotten by those of us at home . Thank you !
It's not much, but I wanted to say Thank You.
Merry Christmas to everyone at 67th Combat Support Hospital!
You did a great job the other day treating the patients from the bombing. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Stay safe.
By the way, I liked the pic of the camel in the back of the
truck.
i am a vet of desert storm, gulf war part one. i am praying for
you allto be safe, stay safe and make it back home safe, you are
my true little bro. and sisters.
THANKYOU ALL!!!
MERY CHRISTMAS
I just read your account of the hospital the day of the attack.
Very sobering indeed. As I stated before my neighbor was in your
skilled hands. He was one of your laparatomies.. Again Thank
you for such excellent care in less than ideal situations.
I am a nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center. I work in Family
Medicine as a civillian. I see the walking wounded pass me in
the halls daily. Each time I look at them I am very thankful
that the Army has skilled docs on the front to get to treat and
get them home. In our eyes you are the hero's. I can't begin to
fathom the depths of emotion you must feel over there. I am a
female nurse never been to combat and civillian. Please know
that as a fellow professional you are all very much appreaciated.
My neighbor was in Mosul and now in Landsthul. I can speak for
their family when I say they attribute his sucess in treatment
thus far with the skilled hands that triaged and operated and
got him stable enough to transport.
My words don't seem enough for me. I wish there were some other
way to show my gratitude. All I can say..
Thank you and keep safe.
Thank you for all you and your
fellow soldiers are doing to maintain and defend the
comforts we in the US enjoy every day. I pray God will
bless and keep each and every one of you.
I greatly symphatize with what happened to your troops in USA. I wish that the war should end, but your government is no longer out of touch with reality, just like in Vietnam.
As perceived by many, President Bush policy is wrong in Iraq,
but the trouble is he and other Americans are too arrogant to
admit mistakes. I suggest he should listen to the voices of
other Arab leaders, and ask for their assistance, The Americans
should now be pragmatic about terrorist killing innocent
civilians, for after all when the Atom bombs were dropped in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, every American knew that hundreds of
thousands of civilians will die.
Americans should leave Iraq. Im sure the Iraquis themselves, and
other muslim leaders would know what to do. After all Sadam will
definetly be gone.
Your ugly mug is front page everyone I know is calling me
about it
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