Thank you for sharing that story, Marc. ~Tragic
This story is well known in "The Corps", even to the young Marines serving today. I owe my life to a young black Corpsman from Detroit, who ran across a rice paddy to treat my wounds, then dragged my big ass back behind the paddy dyke...while being fired upon from the treeline. There are not enough good words to describe the courage, committment, loyalty and honor that Corpsmen assigned to Marine combat units display as an everyday activity of their duties. The Navy (in my opinion) is pretty f---ed up, but...DON'T EVER BAD MOUTH A CORPSMAN IN FRONT OF ANY MARINE...YOU'LL GET YER ASS KICKED ON THE SPOT. Semper Fi, Doc. Keep the faith........Gy Mad Dog
ANOTHER HOT LZ
Line up; hurry up and wait
Weighted down battle gear packed soldier
Going on a mission in a God forsaken land
Here they come, the copters
Hueys graceful in flight
With their distinctive song of woop-woop
The wind grabs dirt and rock
Hitting us all around
We board the copters one by one
Once airborne flying fast and high
I am amazed by the beauty of the land
Seems so peaceful farmers farming the land
Children and water buffalo
Playing in the paddies
Seemingly unconcerned by our approach
Signal comes to lock and load
We descend fast and low
Hovering above the earth
We jump off, landing in the mud
Then the bullets start flying
Oh God, it's another Hot LZ
Confusion is rampant
Explosions all around
Then the words, "I'M HIT" echo from my throat
I call for medic then I realize I am he
I hear others call my name
I run to the voices rendering aid where I can
My wounds will have to wait
These are my men
It is time to do my magic medicine show
©Copyright August 2004 by Kerry "Doc" Pardue
SHE AIN'T JUST A 2ND LIEUTENANT
Not sure where she called home
She stayed pretty much alone
The job was tough, long, and hard
She made it look easy
Setting her emotions aside
She worked on the boys from back home.
When she arrived she was easy going and soft
War changes people brings out the best and their worst
She would not give up on the dying boys
She would order them not to die
Some had the fight to listen and not give up
A few came home walking and not in a bag.
2nd Lieutenant, I swear at the end of her tour
Was better and knew just what to do
She would work with the head wounds and the blind
She was their sister, mom, and wife
Sitting and talking to them trying to help them find their way
No one knew that at the end of her shift
She would go back to her room and just cry.
In the open at the job, she was calm and positive
No one knew the pain she buried deep inside.
35 years later she lives alone at her home, she remembers
And she still cries, but she never became a sister, mom, or wife.
"I lost too many brothers; was a widow time and time again;
my sons died - PTSD and Agent Orange is killing all the rest."
"Don't you know who I am?
I ain't just a 2nd Lieutenant. Not just Army Nurse Corp.
I am your sister, mom, and wife
Damn it... I order you to live."
©Copyright November 2004 by Kerry "Doc" Pardue
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