Powerful words

[Guest guest]

To The List:

I recieved this last night and thought it was worth forwarding. It came from

a young army physical therapist, and that individual has given permission for

me to reprint it.

>>There I was on a typical bright and sunny day, briefing fellow military

physical therapist out " in the field " at our Army Field Training site. 

Briefing the therapist on the day's planned operations and discussing why we

were training in a field environment for an advanced military physical

therapy course, a course that I am currently attending.  We were discussing

the role of " today's " military therapist and how we are a vital asset to

field operations in the treatment of acute neuromuscular injuries, wound

care, and injury prevention in order to maintain the fighting strength of our

soldiers.  Of course, there was the common response of most military medical

personnel, " I will never be deployed " or " I will never have to do this

stuff. "   That's when word came.  One of the soldiers at the site came to me

and said, " Sir, I have received word that both World Trade Center towers have

been hit. "   I, along with other therapist, thought this was a training

scenario and didn't believe it at first.  I radioed the Major who was in

charge of the training for further information.  That is when it sunk in.

This was no training scenario, no field exercise, this was the real thing. 

Our training had become more realistic, more practical, and more vital.  What

to do now?  The only thing we could do, continue to train.  Train to save;

train to maintain; and train conserve the strength of America and it's

fighting forces. 

We continued training, and when we had breaks, we would huddle around the

radio, for this was our only media loop to the outside.  One of the Air Force

physical therapists was notified that he was to return his unit and prepare

to be mobilized.  I awaited my notice, as did others.  I thought to myself,

this is what I have trained for and I am ready for whatever lies ahead.  It

was hard to realize, however, the actual impact of the terrorist acts since

all the information we had to go by was through radio broadcasts and had not

been able to see the events on TV.  It was not until Thursday when I returned

home that I actually realized the dramatic, almost unrealistic sites of the

devastation when I turned on the TV.

Today, my post continues to be guarded by soldiers, my city decorated with

American flags, my family and friends calling to say how much they care for

me.  People of all races, religions, and differences coming together to show

their support and uniting as one.  When I'm asked, " Are you scared if we end

up going to war? "   I say no.  I say no because of the events I see after such

a devastating tragedy.  The unity, support, and national pride that stretches

across the land and overseas.  This is what our fathers, grandfathers, and

forefathers fought for in the past.  They fought for the symbols and values

that we so often forget about.  We " pledge our allegiance to the flag, "   that

same flag which now flies at half staff, displayed on cars, homes, and

buildings all over the land and serves to unite us all " one nation, under

God " no matter what one's religion is, with " liberty and justice for all. "  

We so often say the Pledge of Allegiance and see the American flag, but I

don't think it was until now that most people realize the power of those

words and the symbol that the American flag portrays.  I know that I have

joked to most of you in the past to say that " I will be providing the blanket

of freedom from which you sleep under. "   Who ever thought that this statement

would be true?  I did.  This is why I chose the path that I did.  I will be

honest and say that I did not think something like this would happen so soon

or in such a way, however I am prepared to do what is needed of me, what ever

the consequence or sacrifice I must make.  I have been trained to wear so

many hats.  I have trained to be a combat physical therapist, a combat medic,

an officer, and always a soldier.  I am currently getting all my personal

affairs in order, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.  So I

write this letter to tell you not to worry for me, I am ready to do what is

needed.  What you can do is give blood.  Donate money to the Red Cross,

Salvation Army, NYC Firefighters and Police fund.  Fly the American flag

proud.  If you do not have one, go out to get one.  Encourage others to do

the same.  Whom ever awoke the " Sleeping Giant " is soon to be in a world of

hurt and will realize that they cannot silence bells of liberty and freedom. 

God bless America.>>

M. man, MS, PT, JD

Rehab and Health Center

1- x300

fax

coopermanj@...

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