Re: word from Iraq

Not sure I understand what you are saying, Ceres.  I think the "regular" or 
active duty soldiers are more accustomed to military life than are the "weekend 
warriors" or reserve troops.  So sure the hardship is greater for someone 
that is not used to it on a daily basis.

As for Military hospitals, please note that military hospitals and Veterans 
hospitals are two different things.  Military hospitals not only take care of 
the soldiers but their families as well, not to mention the President of the 
United States and members of the Govt.  I have been going to Military hospitals 
here in the states and abroad my entire life.  I have only experienced 
civilian hospitals since living here in Houston, and on other rare occasions in other 
cities.  I have to say that most people that have experienced both would take 
a military hospital over a civilian any day.  The doctors are trained the 
same either way. There is a lot less red tape, politics, etc. ...the goal is to 
treat.  It is not a business.  Many of the civilian doctors used to be military 
or are reservists....especially ER doctors and many specialists.  It is 
inconcievable and totally against policy/code for any military ever to not get 
treated.  Thus the point of having medics in the field along with every single 
unit, then the field hospitals, as well as mobile hospitals with specialists.  If 
that doesn't help, then they are air evacuated to the nearest military 
hospital, then if needing further specialty care, evacuated to the states to one of 
the military hospitals specializing in whatever is needed.....i.e BAMC for 
Burns, etc.  

Case in point...my dad, retired army, had a heart attack while working in 
Germany as a civilian for the US Govt.  He was taken to the nearest military 
hospital, they found he needed a specialist...so taken to Landstuhl Hospital 
(where many of the Iraq soldiers are taken).  He was told he needed open heart 
surgery, but needed more of a specialist due to other conditions than they could 
handle....so he was air evacuated to BAMC in San Antonio where he was for over 
a month or more.   This was before the new large modern hospital, it was an 
old old bldg. but the care he got was outstanding.  
I think that any soldier one asks, would not be upset over being passed from 
one hospital to another, because they know it is being done for their own good.

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast
In a message dated 2/2/2004 11:02:49 AM Central Standard Time, 
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:
Talk to anyone who has needed help 
even with problems/injuries incurred as a result of their mission.  It is not 
good.
    Ceres 

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