Memorial Day

It was one of the most costly wars in terms of lives lost. In our family, my mother's brothers and my father's uncles all went to war.

My maternal uncle went to France as an Army medic. He was stationed near Paris for two years after the Allies captured the city. He missed his chance to be a professional baseball player, but he was a father and a grandfather.

My paternal great uncle was not so lucky. He had survived the Battle of Anzio, moving up through Italy, and then his Army unit went into Eastern France. Before he could get to the Battle of the Bulge, he was killed crossing a bridge, struck down by a mortar.

When I visited France, I visited the town where he died. I will never forget him, or the sacrifices he made; the family he left behind.

Today, I remember all who gave their lives in gratitude. Freedom is not free. It was paid for by those we lost.

Thank you doesn't seem like enough.

A little recon

Dear Referring Officials in Said Happy City:

Despite patient comments stating that you all are saying we're an "Army barracks" and "no one wants to go there," you keep sending us patients. Yes, we had a patient family member tell us this yet again that you've said things that are not true.

Yes, we're not the newest Hotel du Jour Rehab, but you're forgetting a few things. Here's the truth:

1. We do our work AND it works. Yes, we have a fine reputation for healing people and we do it over, and over and over again. It's true our specialist physician only calls on certain days, but we are so fortunate to have staff physicians who really get it and know when to say when about calling him/her back for backup if needed.

2. We have a beautiful neighborhood. It's scenic, with bluffs, river, sky and all sorts of wild critters that make it  perfectly picturesque. Many patients tell me they try to get by the windows at dusk, or go outside, just to see the deer and other critters mulling around. For many folks from rural areas, it reminds them of home, even though we're not far from the bustle of the city down the road.

3. We have a wonderful place for visiting families to stay. In fact, if it were open to the general public, it would be overrun with those Civil War (and other war) reenactors due to the fact we're so close to historic sites where they go visit. Many of our patients are loathe to leave after staying there (it's that nice).

4. Besides, we are closer to one of the BEST (yes it was rated that way) cultural institutions and it did beat the c$%p out of your nationally rated one because we care...and ours is free to all.

So, please be sure to do your research first from reliable sources, 'cause your recon ain't so good.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Here's to the chief

Or at least to the general...In the Off the charts blog (AJN) Shawn Kennedy, AJN editor recently noted about the new Army Surgeon General, who is not only the first woman, but the first nurse:

General Horoho said in an interview, (following) “the Vietnam era, we lost sight of the importance of rehabilitative nursing and health care,” and noting that this would be a significant area of emphasis for her.

Moral of the story: Never underestimate the power of a rehab nurse.

And from Dahey, a profound bravo zulu!

More to come...