50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

Dec 23, 2020, 8:54 AM

Strangely enough, with all the vivid memories from half a century ago, I remember nothing at all about the time around Christmas Day. It must have been a special time for us because the hospital had things scheduled all the time. I don't think my lack of memory was due to the "mental fog" produced by painkillers since I believe the doctors had reduced my doses of morphine earlier in the month without discussing it with me. They had to do that because everyone on the ward watched the clock, knowing exactly what time they were allowed to get the next dose. I remember the morning earlier in December when I awoke to recognize the voice for the first time of a fellow patient who was wounded in May in the explosion that killed my assistant machine gunner. He had been on my ward ever since I arrived in mid-October but my lack of lucidity had kept me from realizing it. I remember that the only time I did not feel pain was the first few seconds after awakening each morning, and that I would try to lie motionless to see if that lack of feeling would last. I remember losing weight weekly until the docs figured out that I had blood somehow accumulated in my stomach and that he had to run a tube through my nose to suck everything out ( and that I told him that if I needed mouth-to-mouth resusitation during the process that I wanted the attractive nurse assisting him to do that for me). I remember the loud black guy who had both legs amputated above his knees going up in his wheelchair, doing wheelies and laughing boisterously, to parents of newly arrived amputees as they met with their sons for the first time and talking a while before asking them to "loan me $20 until I get back on my feet" and roaring with laughter as he spun his chair around to leave, (That sure helped a lot of folks realize that life was more important than limbs}. I remember telling the doctor several times that it felt like there was something sticking into the back of my leg that was in traction until he finally checked the entry wound and discovered that a metal wire used as a suture had been left in the site, I also remember telling him soon after being put in traction that it looked like my foot was turned inward and needed to be aligned with my hip so that the shattered femur could regenerate correctly - he said it was fine and my left foot still turns slightly to the right as a result. But somehow I still don't remember anything about that Christmas Day. But blessed to spend another one in this COVID world with friends and especially grandkids. Have a Merry Christmas T-Net and Go Tigers!!!

Message was edited by: clover65®

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Clover, I may have indicated before that I feel somewhat inadequate to post after you when my experience ended much differently than yours. Mine was not a fairytale ending, as it was not particularly pleasant coming back to the states in any condition, but mine was certainly a lot better than yours. I, for one, don't think your suffering was in vain as I saw the bravery and courage exhibited by young GIs, Sailors, and Marines like you. The fact that the war was not popular and that the American people were not largely behind it DOES NOT diminish the sacrifice our our brave young men. Thank you again and I hate that you suffered much more than most of us. I would have loved for you to be in my platoon.

In my case, 50 years ago to this very day, I boarded a plane in DaNang headed home, via Okinawa. It's funny, as I really don't remember if I made it home for Christmas day, but I doubt it as that would have involved too quick of a turn-around from plane change to plane change. I do remember leaving on one day and getting to my destination the day before I left ... something like I left on the 23rd and arrived on the 22nd (crossing the International Dateline). I then flew into Greenville Spartanburg Airport from Travis AFB in California. My brother didn't tell my mother and aunt when I was coming in so he picked me up by himself and we drove to my mother's house. I think I went to a party that night and had to hear about how bad American troops were. It took a little while to adjust, but all in all, after my final year at MCAS Beaufort, I didn't think too much about it. Until recent years, I never told many stories about my experiences there. Guess now it is time.

Thanks again Clover, and hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

PS: Was in York visiting my B-I-L (a Coot) and his wife last weekend! Not too far from you.

50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

Re: 50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

Re: 50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

Re: 50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

Even though almost all of my

Re: Even though almost all of my

Re: 50 years ago - Walter Reed Christmas (not so much)

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