Memorial Day - a few courtesy guidelines

[shortleg0521]

Ever since the I can remember there was that blue,white, kaki uniform hanging in my father's room.
I knew from old pictures and his missing my high school graduation when he had served.
It was not until I sat next to him in Bethesda Naval hospital what the man I called Dad had been through.
I was lucky enough to hear about all the islands in WW2 the heat and cold in Korea, and what he called
the damned frustration in Vietnam.
Guess he just wanted me to know why he gave me the advice he did and why I would hear him yelling
I AM COMING , I am coming in his sleep.
He let me know that the Marines did not have medics like the Army, they use Navy Corps man for
for their medical person in each squad.
That is what he did through what he and I both call three wars.
He said Anytime they are shooting at you ,it,s a war

[53driver]

Ever since the I can remember there was that blue,white, kaki uniform hanging in my father's room.
I knew from old pictures and his missing my high school graduation when he had served.
It was not until I sat next to him in Bethesda Naval hospital what the man I called Dad had been through.
I was lucky enough to hear about all the islands in WW2 the heat and cold in Korea, and what he called
the damned frustration in Vietnam.
Guess he just wanted me to know why he gave me the advice he did and why I would hear him yelling
I AM COMING , I am coming in his sleep.
He let me know that the Marines did not have medics like the Army, they use Navy Corps man for
for their medical person in each squad.
That is what he did through what he and I both call three wars.
He said Anytime they are shooting at you, it's a war

Navy corpsmen who served with Marines are absolutely the most amazing people on the planet.
I've had the privilege of knowing several - and all are testaments to their oath & prayer.
But the job they do for the Marines is best reflected in the poem at the end.

Shortleg - your dad IS a hero.
Remembering him this weekend as I'm sure others are who may not recall his name, but remember him as "doc."

Cheers,
Steve


The Corpsman's Oath

I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE MYSELF BEFORE GOD
AND THESE WITNESSES
TO PRACTICE FAITHFULLY
ALL OF MY DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF
THE HOSPITAL CORPS.
I HOLD THE CARE OF THE SICK AND INJURED TO BE A
SACRED TRUST
AND WILL ASSIST THE MEDICAL OFFICER
WITH LOYALTY AND HONESTY.
I WILL NOT KNOWINGLY PERMIT HARM TO COME TO
ANY PATIENT.
I WILL NOT PARTAKE OF NOR ADMINISTER
ANY UNAUTHORIZED MEDICATION.
I WILL HOLD
ALL PERSONAL MATTERS
PERTAINING TO THE PRIVATE LIVES OF
PATIENTS IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
I DEDICATE MY
HEART, MIND, AND STRENGTH
TO THE WORK BEFORE ME.
I SHALL DO ALL WITHIN MY POWER
TO SHOW IN MYSELF AN
EXAMPLE OF ALL THAT IS
HONORABLE AND GOOD
THROUGHOUT
MY NAVAL CAREER.

A Corpsman's Prayer

Grant me, oh Lord, for the coming events;
Enough knowledge to cope and some plain common sense.
Be at our side on those nightly patrols;
And be merciful judging our vulnerable souls.
Make my hands steady and as sure as a rock;
when the others go down with a wound or in shock.
Let me be close, when they bleed in the mud;
With a tourniquet handy to save precious blood.
Here in the jungle, the enemy near;
Even the corpsman can't offer much lightness and cheer.
Just help me, oh Lord, to save lives when I can;
Because even out there is merit in man.
If It's Your will, make casualties light;
And don't let any die in the murderous night.
These are my friends I'm trying to save;
They are frightened at times, but You know they are brave.
Let me not fail when they need so much;
But to help me serve with a compassionate touch.
Lord, I'm no hero -- my job is to heal;
And I want You to know Just how helpless I feel.
Bring us back safely to camp with dawn;
For too many of us are already gone.
Lord bless my friends If that's part of your plan;
And go with us tonight, when we go out again.

Marine Corps Green

From the halls of Montezuma –-
First words of a famous song.
When Marines go into battle,
A Navy corpsman goes along.

From its very beginning
The Corps has steadily grown,
And the attitude of Marines is,
"We take care of our own."

Marines may give up their water
Or even their last bean,
But never their Navy corpsman
Wearing Marine Corps green.

When Marines and their corpsman
Are standing side by side,
The first thing you notice
Is the sharing of their pride.

If you are looking for trouble
Of a kind you’ve never seen,
Attack their Navy corpsman,
The one in Marine Corps green.