For those who feel strongly about what is happening in our country, check out this YouTube video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKFKGrmsBDk
It's pretty clever, and makes some good points.
Here's an additional link in case you need it: http://www.lawatchdog.com/SecondRevolution071108.html
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
7 Years Ago Today
Everyone knows what today's date marks. But you might not know some of the inside story, so I'm here to relay what some heroes did that day. In February of 1999 I started working at the Pentagon. I was part of the emergency response team and I ran the allergy/immunization & travel medicine clinic. On 9/11/2001, as fate would have it I was at home in Annapolis on vacation with my Mom and Aunt who were visiting. We had plans to go to Rosslyn to the Newseum that day, but my Aunt's car developed a problem so we brought it to the local dealer for assistance. On the way, we heard about the towers. With the first one it sounded like a freak accident. When the second one hit, well I think we knew all hell was breaking loose and this was no accident.
I called my clinic to talk to my Sergeant to see if they knew. She said they were watching it on TV. While I was talking to her, she said they had the call to evacuate the building and I told her to go and I would talk to her later, with a sinking feeling in my gut.
This is one of those times in life where you are eternally grateful you weren't somewhere at the time of a bad event, but also unhappy that you weren't there to help. Having worn the uniform of the US Army myself, I felt a strong sense of duty to be at work. However, my Mom had other ideas and physically barred the door to prevent me from trying to go. We discovered that a threat had been called in to the statehouse (about 5 or so miles from my house at the time) and that all roads in and out of the city were being closed. Not too mention that bridges and roads to the Capitol and the Pentagon were also being closed. So, I acquiesced and stayed home that day. I sat glued to the TV watching to figure where the building was hit, and if I could see anyone I knew to know if they were okay or not. Fortunately for us, they hit the side 3 corridors away from us in the building. The blast took out our contingency clinic (for this type of emergency) and the library and as everyone knows, many offices. Also fortunate that they were just being moved into so not the full cadre of personnel were there. Or, we would have had much more massive casualty numbers.
As it was, the clinic itself did not immediately know the building had been bombed. That building was so well constructed that they never felt it or heard it only 3 corridors away! It wasn't until someone ran into the clinic and told them they must evacuate as something terrible had happened that they called the Pentagon Police and confirmed it.
So, the entire clinic grabbed emergency equipment and evacuated. They were in the North parking lot and could see the smoke and fire on the other side. There is no easy or fast way to get around the building believe it or not. It's not as simple as trudging around the corner. So, the Chief Nurse Major Brown made the decision to move them into place in the inner courtyard and also to the outside where they could help evacuate and triage victims. So that's what they did. The entire clinic walked back through a burning building and set up in the courtyard and outside at the bomb site and started to work.
Several of the Medics went to offices just adjacent to the exit to help get people out. Several had be trapped by debris and it was cleared and they were moved out. The Medics did this without fire gear or a second thought for themselves.
Most people have heard of LTC Birdwell who was so badly burned. He was one of the first victims our clinic treated. Everyone hears about Arlington Rescue and what a job they did, and no one talks about the job my clinic did that day. The clinic was the first, of the first responders.
Several other people from the clinic risked their lives by standing in the bombed section in thick smoke and water up to their knees calling to people to help guide them out. The smoke was so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Due to their efforts, many people were saved.
At one point while everyone was out in the courtyard with victims, another plane flew overhead. They paused momentarily and went back to work. This time it was an F-16. (Go Air Force!) People worked and stayed until very late that day.
One thing I have to say... on that day it didn't matter what uniform you wore. Everyone was working shoulder to shoulder to take care of patients. Generally, there is some friction between the branches and with the civilians. But not on that day. They were a well-oiled machine.
It is virtually unheard of to have soldier's medals awarded to a soldier in peacetime. It has to be a pretty big show of valor, courage and heroism AND has to be verifiable. There were 7 people who got soldier's medals from their actions on that day alone. Several of the civilians also got medals (didn't know we could get 'em did you?). This is not the end of the story, but for now I have to go to work!
I called my clinic to talk to my Sergeant to see if they knew. She said they were watching it on TV. While I was talking to her, she said they had the call to evacuate the building and I told her to go and I would talk to her later, with a sinking feeling in my gut.
This is one of those times in life where you are eternally grateful you weren't somewhere at the time of a bad event, but also unhappy that you weren't there to help. Having worn the uniform of the US Army myself, I felt a strong sense of duty to be at work. However, my Mom had other ideas and physically barred the door to prevent me from trying to go. We discovered that a threat had been called in to the statehouse (about 5 or so miles from my house at the time) and that all roads in and out of the city were being closed. Not too mention that bridges and roads to the Capitol and the Pentagon were also being closed. So, I acquiesced and stayed home that day. I sat glued to the TV watching to figure where the building was hit, and if I could see anyone I knew to know if they were okay or not. Fortunately for us, they hit the side 3 corridors away from us in the building. The blast took out our contingency clinic (for this type of emergency) and the library and as everyone knows, many offices. Also fortunate that they were just being moved into so not the full cadre of personnel were there. Or, we would have had much more massive casualty numbers.
As it was, the clinic itself did not immediately know the building had been bombed. That building was so well constructed that they never felt it or heard it only 3 corridors away! It wasn't until someone ran into the clinic and told them they must evacuate as something terrible had happened that they called the Pentagon Police and confirmed it.
So, the entire clinic grabbed emergency equipment and evacuated. They were in the North parking lot and could see the smoke and fire on the other side. There is no easy or fast way to get around the building believe it or not. It's not as simple as trudging around the corner. So, the Chief Nurse Major Brown made the decision to move them into place in the inner courtyard and also to the outside where they could help evacuate and triage victims. So that's what they did. The entire clinic walked back through a burning building and set up in the courtyard and outside at the bomb site and started to work.
Several of the Medics went to offices just adjacent to the exit to help get people out. Several had be trapped by debris and it was cleared and they were moved out. The Medics did this without fire gear or a second thought for themselves.
Most people have heard of LTC Birdwell who was so badly burned. He was one of the first victims our clinic treated. Everyone hears about Arlington Rescue and what a job they did, and no one talks about the job my clinic did that day. The clinic was the first, of the first responders.
Several other people from the clinic risked their lives by standing in the bombed section in thick smoke and water up to their knees calling to people to help guide them out. The smoke was so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Due to their efforts, many people were saved.
At one point while everyone was out in the courtyard with victims, another plane flew overhead. They paused momentarily and went back to work. This time it was an F-16. (Go Air Force!) People worked and stayed until very late that day.
One thing I have to say... on that day it didn't matter what uniform you wore. Everyone was working shoulder to shoulder to take care of patients. Generally, there is some friction between the branches and with the civilians. But not on that day. They were a well-oiled machine.
It is virtually unheard of to have soldier's medals awarded to a soldier in peacetime. It has to be a pretty big show of valor, courage and heroism AND has to be verifiable. There were 7 people who got soldier's medals from their actions on that day alone. Several of the civilians also got medals (didn't know we could get 'em did you?). This is not the end of the story, but for now I have to go to work!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What is going on in the world today?
It seems like when I was growing up if you needed help all you had to do was ask for it. I remember when I was just a little kid about 5ish and I was on the bus coming home from camp and I got off at the wrong stop. I was supposed to get off at St. Joe's Hospital, but I got off a little closer to home. So, being the independent soul I am, I walked home. Thought it was no big deal. Until I got home and no one was there because my Mom was waiting for me at St. Joe's. So again I proceeded to walk there myself. (We're up in Maine it's really not that far) I got back to where I started and then realized I couldn't remember exactly where St Joe's is. So thinking I could figure it out I walked to Little City Park thinking also that one of the park staff could help me.
Well, I got there and no staff. So, naturally, I started to cry. I was lost, couldn't find my Mommy and couldn't find St. Joe's. So one of the guys-- some rough looking dude with tattoos - asked me if I was okay. I said I couldn't find my Mommy and I got off at the wrong bus stop and was supposed to be at St. Joe's. So, he said he would bring me to my Mommy. So he very nicely held my hand and walked me to St. Joe's. My Mom was very happy to see me, but very surprised to see me with this guy. I'm sure he was just a teenager from around the neighborhood, but to me at the time he was just a big dude. In the end though, he recognized someone in need and got me to my Mom. He got involved and helped.
Obviously, I have always remembered that kindness of a stranger. I was a scared, lost kid and he helped. So I guess I am just becoming more and more shocked about the indifference of people today to those who need help. Take this for example:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26637867#26637867
Here's a guy who is just minding his own business and sleeping on the Philly train. On the other side of the partition in front of the door, this big guy on the video parks his 6 yr old son on the seat next to another big guy. He then reaches into his backpack, pulls out a hammer and then... starts beating the guy who was asleep! There are about 10 people on the train with them at the time. Do you think any of the other "big guys" stepped in to help? No! Do you see anyone calling for help? NO! Granted, a 6 ft something couple of hundred pounds size guy wielding a hammer would give me pause to get involved. But I am a 5'2" female. I can at least alert the conductor. The attack takes place over a 5 minute period in front of the assailant's 6 yr old son. The guy eventually drags the victim off of the train onto the platform and flees after assaulting him some more. And yes, leaves his son behind. The victim while I am sure traumatized, basically okay physically. Shocking when you consider the force under which the attack took place... and it was no small hammer!
After the guy is dragged off of the train one of the other guys reaches over and hits the emergency button. When the attacker flees, a WOMAN grabs the attacker's backpack and goes to help the victim and gets him to a hospital for treatment. The victim is 20 yrs old. The attacker as it turns out is about 37, and a career criminal with a violent crime history. (Assault, rape, etc.) He was identified after police showed the video on TV to ask for help in identifying the attacker. Not sure why you couldn't get that from the kid, or whomever came to get the kid (assuming it was family). Poor little guy is probably quite traumatized. What is even more shocking is that there were 10 people on that train and not one lifted a finger to help the guy until after the danger had passed. (including calling for help) And, the police commissioner in Philly, our former Chief of Police in D.C., Charles Ramsey even points out that while the guy is being attacked and drops his cell phone one of the passengers picks it up and yes... puts it in his pocket. What is with people these days?! What is really scary is that the attacker and victim never met and don't know each other at all. It was just a random, violent attack.
As part of the video package you can also see where people ignore the plight of one of our elderly citizens who is the victim of a hit and run x2. (This one is truly heinous because there is very little risk to self in trying to help someone.) He's been grazed by one car who never stops, hit by another in a dramatic fashion as he is thrown over the hood and lands on the ground. This driver never stops either. Amazingly, neither does anybody else!!!!! Other drivers, pedestrians..... no one helps the guy! He's lying in the middle of the street and no one pays any attention. It's simply incredible, and totally disgusting.
I'm beginning to understand why God sent the big flood.
It's amazing to me that we can all rally around with our patriotism and think we're fighting terrorism and preventing attacks here, when we allow this kind of domestic terrorism to occur amongst us without batting an eye. What does an attack on a train have to do with terrorism? Ask yourself, how scared would you be if you saw that? Would you feel safe on the train again...how about the next day if you had to ride, would you? This kind of terrorism affects all of us, and has wide-reaching effects within communities.
Terrorism isn't limited to the people who hate our country and it's ideals. It happens everyday in places around the country. If we as Americans do not intervene in some fashion to help others when they need it, we've already abandoned the ideals we supposedly cherish. Granted, some situations have higher stakes than others. I didn't say it would be easy. The act of "I don't want to get involved" with situations that simply involve stopping traffic, and calling an ambulance should be met with some sort of culpability that put the victim there in the first place. We are all citizens in the communities in which we live. We should be there to see one another through, not see through one another (forgot who quoted this...but I liked it).
And for those of you who disagree, I certainly hope you don't find yourself on the wrong end of a hammer on a train somewhere. Or on the asphalt after getting hit by two cars. It's gonna be a long wait until you get help; at least in the world you want to see!
Well, I got there and no staff. So, naturally, I started to cry. I was lost, couldn't find my Mommy and couldn't find St. Joe's. So one of the guys-- some rough looking dude with tattoos - asked me if I was okay. I said I couldn't find my Mommy and I got off at the wrong bus stop and was supposed to be at St. Joe's. So, he said he would bring me to my Mommy. So he very nicely held my hand and walked me to St. Joe's. My Mom was very happy to see me, but very surprised to see me with this guy. I'm sure he was just a teenager from around the neighborhood, but to me at the time he was just a big dude. In the end though, he recognized someone in need and got me to my Mom. He got involved and helped.
Obviously, I have always remembered that kindness of a stranger. I was a scared, lost kid and he helped. So I guess I am just becoming more and more shocked about the indifference of people today to those who need help. Take this for example:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26637867#26637867
Here's a guy who is just minding his own business and sleeping on the Philly train. On the other side of the partition in front of the door, this big guy on the video parks his 6 yr old son on the seat next to another big guy. He then reaches into his backpack, pulls out a hammer and then... starts beating the guy who was asleep! There are about 10 people on the train with them at the time. Do you think any of the other "big guys" stepped in to help? No! Do you see anyone calling for help? NO! Granted, a 6 ft something couple of hundred pounds size guy wielding a hammer would give me pause to get involved. But I am a 5'2" female. I can at least alert the conductor. The attack takes place over a 5 minute period in front of the assailant's 6 yr old son. The guy eventually drags the victim off of the train onto the platform and flees after assaulting him some more. And yes, leaves his son behind. The victim while I am sure traumatized, basically okay physically. Shocking when you consider the force under which the attack took place... and it was no small hammer!
After the guy is dragged off of the train one of the other guys reaches over and hits the emergency button. When the attacker flees, a WOMAN grabs the attacker's backpack and goes to help the victim and gets him to a hospital for treatment. The victim is 20 yrs old. The attacker as it turns out is about 37, and a career criminal with a violent crime history. (Assault, rape, etc.) He was identified after police showed the video on TV to ask for help in identifying the attacker. Not sure why you couldn't get that from the kid, or whomever came to get the kid (assuming it was family). Poor little guy is probably quite traumatized. What is even more shocking is that there were 10 people on that train and not one lifted a finger to help the guy until after the danger had passed. (including calling for help) And, the police commissioner in Philly, our former Chief of Police in D.C., Charles Ramsey even points out that while the guy is being attacked and drops his cell phone one of the passengers picks it up and yes... puts it in his pocket. What is with people these days?! What is really scary is that the attacker and victim never met and don't know each other at all. It was just a random, violent attack.
As part of the video package you can also see where people ignore the plight of one of our elderly citizens who is the victim of a hit and run x2. (This one is truly heinous because there is very little risk to self in trying to help someone.) He's been grazed by one car who never stops, hit by another in a dramatic fashion as he is thrown over the hood and lands on the ground. This driver never stops either. Amazingly, neither does anybody else!!!!! Other drivers, pedestrians..... no one helps the guy! He's lying in the middle of the street and no one pays any attention. It's simply incredible, and totally disgusting.
I'm beginning to understand why God sent the big flood.
It's amazing to me that we can all rally around with our patriotism and think we're fighting terrorism and preventing attacks here, when we allow this kind of domestic terrorism to occur amongst us without batting an eye. What does an attack on a train have to do with terrorism? Ask yourself, how scared would you be if you saw that? Would you feel safe on the train again...how about the next day if you had to ride, would you? This kind of terrorism affects all of us, and has wide-reaching effects within communities.
Terrorism isn't limited to the people who hate our country and it's ideals. It happens everyday in places around the country. If we as Americans do not intervene in some fashion to help others when they need it, we've already abandoned the ideals we supposedly cherish. Granted, some situations have higher stakes than others. I didn't say it would be easy. The act of "I don't want to get involved" with situations that simply involve stopping traffic, and calling an ambulance should be met with some sort of culpability that put the victim there in the first place. We are all citizens in the communities in which we live. We should be there to see one another through, not see through one another (forgot who quoted this...but I liked it).
And for those of you who disagree, I certainly hope you don't find yourself on the wrong end of a hammer on a train somewhere. Or on the asphalt after getting hit by two cars. It's gonna be a long wait until you get help; at least in the world you want to see!
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