Sitting on a plane heading home I am having trouble trying to put this whole experience into perspective. A large part of the experience was horrific. It was and is a brutal war. We all will somehow have to deal with that part and come to terms with it. There are however, much more important images and memories that already are solidifying the experience in a more positive way. The one that will stand out for me and I think for many of the caregivers at Bastion R3, is the treatment of the casualties and the positive impact we all had on their lives. It was definitely true for the Afghan local nationals, but even more so for the wounded and injured Brits and US Marines; especially for us, the Navy contingent here, the US Marines. In my 20- years of trauma care I have gotten somewhat use to seeing and dealing with civilian trauma; still the children and innocent civilian casualties were difficult but it was the British and US Marine injured combatants which raised the situation to a whole different level.
There is a general consensus that goes around the medical field that you should not get attached emotionally to your patient. This is a canard, a lie. It is simply an excuse not to give 110% to the care of the patient. We got to see the US Marines and the British soldiers in their most noble state, and witness this incredible sacrifice and honorable commitment. It made you feel that you could not fail these noble souls. Everyone at Bastion returned that commitment. You cannot have witnessed their sacrifice and not be changed.
(Picture is of note written by 3/5 Commander to our Navy OIC when presenting their Battalion with US flag flown over Bastion)
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