Happy Memorial Day!!

Greetings from the desert! There's been quite a few events to tell you about. First of all we had a great 5K run/walk benefit for the Wounded Warriors Project. All participants donated $20 for an organization that offers a variety of services to help wounded Iraqi war vets get integrated back into society. The command here wanted to run the race simulataneously with one back at Camp Lejeune (4pm here and 8am there), but due to the extremely hot temperatures, even at 4pm, they decided to move the time to 7am (good choice!) It was up in the 90s by race time (our hottest day so far, 120 degrees; worst to come in June/July). Collectively, TQ Surgical decided to run with CAPT Jernigan, our head doc, to show our appreciation for the wounded warriors. It was a fun morning for a good cause. It just so happened that a civilian won the race in 17 minutes! My finishing time wasn't quite that fast.

Next, our FMF training allowed for us to have two great in-services, one showing us the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, to see one of their CH-46's, and the other was with the 2/136 Minnesota Army National Guard to see a M2 Bradley Tank. This gives us some insight into what both the Air and Ground Combat Elements do under the operational command of the Marine Corps. I've learned a valuable lesson from both visits. I LOVE WHAT I DO, I CHOSE THE RIGHT CAREER, AND I WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD. The spaces within the M2 are very tight and with no air conditioning and flak vests with sapi plates it can feel like 150 degrees in there. They taught us some basic egress maneuvers from the CH-46 (how you would get out of the helicopter in case of a crash landing). I could easy see how you could get disoriented getting out of that thing after rolling over in the dark! I have a whole new respect for the young guys who work in that environment day-in and day-out.

Thank goodness, we are nearing the half-way point on the deployment. Patient flow has slowed down considerably since early May. I see news reports saying that some progress is being made with local community leaders here in Anbar and I believe it correlates to our work load. Being less busy is bitter sweet, because boredom quickly sets in, but you also know that the violence has decreased as well.

Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial's Day Weekend. Thank a vet, have a beer (a real one), and fire up a grill for me!

Pictures:

Take cover! Doc Tally has the 50 Cal!

Hull of the 46

Me and Squadron Sign

Squadron nickname "The Flying Tigers"

Me and the CH-46

Me staring down the race course with determination (or fear) in my eyes

Side of the CH-46

TQ Surgical before the race

Start of the race

LT Morales (CO) and CAPT Jernigan (CPS) showing blood, sweat, and a lot of tears

Me and the rest of the gang chugging out the 5K

CDR Haugton and LCDR Meade (OR Nurses) with 1st and 2nd place medals from the Wounded Warrior 5K

Ugandan Guard cheering us on

Me and Dr. Carr

Two M2's side by side

Look out! Me in the driver's seat.

M2 Bradley Tank Engine

CDR Haughton, LCDR Carr and LT Moore in the back of the M1

LCDR Carr waiving to LCDR Neptune in the M2 turret

LCDRs Carr and McMindes (one our CRNAs)

Me and LT Meg Moore (Helo squadron flight surgeon)

Bullet hole riddled ambulance.

M2 with bird cage around it.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Well, we made it to Mother’s Day 2007. Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, Patricia, my wife, Tanika, my Aunts, Martha & Mary, my sister, Cara T, and to all the mothers in my family.

Guess what…? IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT. The thermometer tells the story. The interesting part about the heat here is that the wind is very hot, like a hair blow dryer, and it doesn’t let up at night. We lament over having to wear our uniforms now, and the Marines rules about uniform wear don’t allow us to modify their appearance. Everyone must keep there sleeves down while deployed out here. There are also rules as to what amount of physical activity is allowed depending on the temperature outside. Recently, any prolonged physical activity during the day has been prohibited.

Congratulations, are in order for CDR Lew Dyer, who was promoted to CDR on May 1st. He was fortunate to have Brig Gen Kessler of 2nd MLG to preside over his promotion ceremony. Lew is the senior nurse in our company and goes out on flights as an en-route care nurse. I’ve known Lew since my days in Naples and he certainly is well deserving of the promotion. Bravo Zulu!

We also had another celebration on May 12th for two birthdays. LCDR Carr and LT Smith were the honorees. We went up to an open air porch lovingly called the “Bada Bing.” It’s a place where Marines from the Air Wing wind down to relax while smoking cigars and sipping on near beer. I must admit that I’m a cigar novice, but I didn’t want to be the odd man out so I struggled through smoking a couple of Cuban cigars. I didn’t realize how strong Cuban cigars were until I started seeing music and feeling colors. However, it was a great time and a nice break in the monotony.

We’ve started having base movie nights. Every Wednesday and Saturday night a new movie is shown outside. The movie is projected on the side of a truck bed or on a clear wall. Unfortunately, you must be in uniform to see the movie and it’s still about 90 degrees at 8:00 pm. We usually don’t let that stop us. The MWR people pitch in free popcorn and sodas as well.

Another interesting project is MCMAP or Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The Marines will teach anyone interested in learning Martial Arts leading toward the acquisition of belts. The first belt level is tan, then green, gray, blue, brown, and black. CDR Haughton and LCDR Neptune are both hard charging participants of the program and I got some pictures of them qualifying for their tan belts.
Pictures:

Digital clock showing the temperature of 112 degrees in the lower left corner

The birthday boy and girl, LCDR Carr and LT Smith

Me struggling through my Cuban cigar

The Crew at the Bada Bing, (back row LtoR), LCDR Meade, LT Martin, CAPT Jernigan, Me, CDR Haughton (front row), LCDR Neptune, LCDR Carr, LCDR Cross

More TQ Surgical Caps

TQ Nurses (picture taken for Nurse Corps Birthday)

CDR Haughton and LCDR Neptune during MCMAP testing

CDR Dyer looking stoic at parade rest

Pre-muster before CDR Dyer's promotion ceremony

Me at the popcorn stand prior to the movie

TQ movie night showing the end credits of "Happy Feet"

A stop/warning sign on the back of a Humvee

The Daily, Weekly, Monthly Grind

We have finished our second month in-country and have about 4 and 1/2 months to look forward to. The idea of spending the better part of 8 months with a group of people can be at best challenging. Fortunately, we have a good group that works well together. As you can see, we've bought embroidered surgical caps with our nicknames. It helps to keep things as light as possible around here. Sometimes, the grind of seeing severely injuried patients can wear you down. This is especially true with children. We had a horrible incident of a mortar hitting a house full of children, killing one and injuring several other kids. The mood after incidents like this is pretty somber, and the ability to cheer yourself up is essential.
Lately, we've been seeing a fair number of patients from two local Marine units and one Army National Guard Unit. The loyalty and support within these units is awe inspiring. Many fellow soldiers will wait for hours until their buddy's surgery is done, and are usually the first to line up for the walking blood bank. The CO of one of the Marine units actually stays with his Marine even into the OR. Sadly, he's been present when some of his Marines have died in the OR, firmly holding their hand as they pass on. We also are blessed to have one of the Chaplains say a prayer at that point. They are just as vigilant as us, and respond to every trauma call for spiritual support.
The pictures posted include the TQ surgical staff caps.
Some pictures from "Outside the Wire" showing a small village near Habbaniyah and local BAS from the 3/6 Marines (Thanks to LT Smith for the pictures).
A picture of the CDR Raheb, LCDRs Carr and Corwin, and myself enjoying our nearly daily AM ritual of Green Bean coffee.
A road on base adopted by the KBR carpenters.
LTs Laquihon and Day and the crew with and their new blue plastic aprons donated from a stateside hospital.