Practicing medicine in a military town offers me a wonderful opportunity to care for many veterans and active duty, as well as their spouses. I am the daughter of a tank commander in Patton’s army and the wife of a Vietnam veteran, the honor is always mine. The men and women who present for cancer therapy from age 30’s to 90’s have stared down amazing challenges. Many have come from foreign countries and then serve in the American military. They are proud to do their part. With the new directive to provide care in the community for veterans, it is a privilege to use our state of the art therapy to aid them at this new critical time in their lives.

When a patient presented a few months ago for care, the history reveals him to be a veteran as well. “Where are you from?” I asked. He quietly says, “Vietnam”. I tell him how my husband is a Vietnam veteran Combat Engineer. He brightened and the cancer therapy was forgotten in his excitement. “I was a Captain in the South Vietnamese Army and fought with the Americans!” He was profoundly excited to tell his story and also saw a chance to send a message. He clutched his heart then asked through tears, “Doctor, will you please, please do me a favor? Please tell your husband from my heart how grateful we are. My children have a better life because of the Americans. We owe everything to them. They came so far to help us. I can never thank them enough”. He says this with such conviction and passion. I am very moved. He sits quietly on the exam table shaking his head, “I know how the American Vietnam soldiers were treated when they came home, I read about it over there and it saddened me. Please tell your husband we all knew that Communism is very very bad and we needed America to save us”. I am speechless. This is so much to share. Later that day I gave his heartfelt message from out of the blue to my husband and he was moved as well. I ask what to reply to the Captain. Softly he said, “Tell him it was an honor”. The men have never met yet the bond is sacred. It is the first time in fifty years anyone has thanked my husband for his service.

Every week the brave veterans of many wars bring their hope and strength to this cancer battle. I never take their trials, pain and sacrifice for granted. I sense the weight of those who lost their lives as very young men on foreign lands and families who prayed and waited for them. I learned as a young child that military men and women are a special gift to our nation. I always thank them for their service. Guiding these patients toward healing helps me to extend that appreciation to those we will never see.

Thank you. To all those who lost a loved one in the service of our country. To all those who serve now and to the families who sacrifice with them. Know that a grateful America will never take you for granted again.