Post-Christmas: Rain, Snow, Sun, Hubs and Thoughts About Restrepo

It's been a busy week, as you can imagine. Christmas day was fine, but the 27th was really our day of celebration as the Hubs flew into town. We had friends come over for dinner --the theme of the meal was "meat," being that I cooked a prime rib. You know, we don't get to see him very often. Just a few weeks out of the year, so every time we get together it is a very big deal. Everyone misses him, and I can't say much more about it that most of you don't already know. Funny thing though-- he always think the house looks real nice when he comes back. Maybe that's because we clean like crazy the days prior to his arrival.

The weather has been rainy, and apparently it's cold and snowy in the mountains. The hubs and the kids are heading up for some skiing tomorrow. I'm staying here because I don't like being cold! I think I'll use the free time to go see The King's Speech, or maybe that crazy loud movie Burlesque. I love Cher (still) no matter how many plastic surgeries she has. Cher rocks it, and I appreciate that both she and Tina Turner and so many other ladies still can tear out a song now and then. Besides, the idea of Cher and Stanley Tucci together is irresistible.

Anyway, not much more to report except that it occurred to me that the Oscar nominations are coming up. I sure hope Restrepo gets a nod. It sure would be nice for Tim and Sebastian to get a nod from the film industry too. I know a lot of people think the film is only about the 173rd, but the truth is that the film means a lot to soldiers from every branch and from many nations. It brings to the screen the experience and emotions they have had and felt, and reminds them of their youth and friends they have lost.

Sebastian has been approached by not only soldiers from these wars (Iraq and Afghanistan), but also from those who fought in Korea. I know that many Vietnam veterans have been moved by it, too. It's fair to say that Restrepo is a film for every person who has ever served, from many countries, and also for those who wait for them back at home.

And by the way, I appreciate National Geographic Entertainment, who went out on a limb to bring this film to a larger audience. This small group of people worked so hard to do this. God bless them all.

I picked up some new friends on Facebook. It's always a bit strange, because really --I have no idea why anyone would want to FB friend me. So here's my deal: if people like to read about art, film, war, the military, literature, books, question everything they thought was "just so," writing, occasional life rants, and watch cat videos, they will be happy here.

A final note: PBS' Regarding War website has drawn to a close. Thank you, PBS, for giving me the opportunity to write for them. I wish every writer there well, and hope they will continue sharing their experiences and ideas.

Wow! The wind is blowing, and I guess this means I have to go out and take down whatever is clanking. I wish I would have done it today. Best to get to it now so that I'm not listening to it all night long. I'll write another post on New Year's day, summing up the best of the last year, and what I look forward to in 2011.

My Christmas Letter for you and the troops

To every person missing someone this Christmas season, I wish you peace, and send you love.
Here is my Christmas letter sent to the troops this season.

Christmas 2010

Dear Soldier,

I'm writing this during this right before I take a pile of boxes to the post office to be mailed to your platoon. I hope that this Christmas letter provides you a nice break, and that you feel somewhat closer to home. As you can imagine, we're busy here decorating, baking and trying to reach that last rush of mailing so this arrives to you on time. I wish I could say I'm writing this in a snow-encrusted winter wonderland, but instead, I'm wearing shorts and flip flops.

Unlike other parts of the country, here in California, we're enjoying a run of warm weather. The Santa Anas --winds from the desert, came blasting through, giving us a second chance to pull don summer clothes to wear along with our Santa Hats. Looking out the back windows, I can see the mountains –the San Gabriels. The sky is blue, and the leaves have yet to turn color. Though it's Christmas, it feels more like summer. Palm trees, sparkling lights, for many --maybe a surf in the morning.

Hold on. I have to go to the door. You see, the cat cannot decide if he wants in or out. The dog is out barking at a squirrel. Oh, and now...the phone is ringing. On the way to do both --let the cat out, bring the dog in, tell the telemarketer no thank you, I see a pile of bills to be paid. I know that many would issue a false complaint, but these are just temporary annoyances, the scuttle of life. I'm fortunate to have them. Why? Because we live without the tyranny and hardship of the type that the people of Afghanistan have put up with decades. I've heard from soldiers like you --everything there is harder, most especially the women and girls. I remember learning last year, a little girl was brought into an American Forward Surgical Team unit for burns she got carrying a boiling hot kettle into the fields to bring tea to her father and brother. She was only eight.

Fortunately, she recovered. But still, I know the life she's gone back to is comparatively hard, and that her future lies in the world's ability to bring stability to the region so schools may flourish and she may be educated. And while people here argue about war strategy, unless women have a say in how life is lived, terrorism in all forms becomes a viable economic option throughout the region.

I guess that's the gist of my letter. I want to thank you for trying to pave a path for these people that makes their lives easier and so they have options. I'm acknowledging your sacrifice, and that of your family's. Your life is a balancing act trying to straddle the war while maintaining ties to home. I know, it isn't easy. So of all the presents I can give to you, I hope you will take my gratitude to heart, and keep it with you throughout your life.

Well, this is getting way too serious. Did you know that Santa is in charge of NORAD? Because of the Santa Tracker, most people assume NORAD controls Santa. But that’s backwards. Santa started NORAD way back when, before tracking systems and gizmos were known. Truth! Santa is a combination of Special Forces, General Petraeus, Ranger, Marine, Lady Gaga, Nobel-prize winning physicist, secret squirrel, Commandant of the Marines, PTA President, Mother’s Auxiliary, and Navy Seal. He knows everything. That sleigh? Beats the pants off a stealth fighter, and if you want the truth on drones …those were failed sleigh units that proved less reliable than Rudolph’s red nose for delivering presents. And so he gave them to the military. Now they drop coal on bad guys.

Anyway, here’s my heartfelt appreciation for your service. Thank you for all that you do. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may peace be with you.

How to end a medical career

Terrence Lakin, a physician with the U.S. Army who had earned the rank of LTC, ignored the higher calling of service, caring and healing to play politics earlier this year. Based on the conviction that President Obama wasn't the president because he wasn't born in the U.S., Lakin decided to defy orders to deploy. Lakin gave several high profile interviews, and even made a YouTube video where, though he found it "distateful," he felt he had no choice but "invite my own court martial."

Doing this took ego, narcissism, and arrogance. Physicians in the Armed Forces are a precious commodity. It isn't easy finding people to sign up --either as medical students, reservists or to make the leap from a civilian practice into active duty. His choice to grandstand and play politics was meant with a rightful prosecution. Army prosecutor Neal Puckett told a remorseful Lakin: “You invited this court-martial. You invited this sentence. And for the rest of your life, you get to live with a federal felony conviction.” The full story is here Stars and Stripes. Lakin has started his sentence at Ft. Leavenworth.

But what else does it mean? Some have assumed that he won't be able to get or keep his current state license. Yes and no. His current state license will be revoked. If he reapplies, he will have to admit to the felony, explain in full, and provide documentation. Each state is different, and the licensing board reviews each case separately. Convicted felons face long waits to be heard, and often must hire costly lawyers. In addition, a felony can make it virtually impossible to get privileges at hospitals. Community hospitals are notoriously picky about having anyone with a felony, and usually the answer is an automatic "no," unless the applicant lies and the hospital credentialing board is lax in background checks.

However, Lakin will find it impossible to receive a DEA license, which is issued by the Federal Government. His current one will be revoked. The DEA license is the sole piece of paper that enables a physician to prescribe classes of drugs most commonly found in acute care. In other words, without the DEA license, Lakin won't even be able to work in a Doc-in-the-box or an Emergency room.

There is doubt from many I spoke with that he will be able to keep his National Provider Identification (NPI) number, also assigned by the Federal government. Each physician in the United States is required by law to have one. Whether or not he forfeits this one, or if it becomes flagged, most thought he could have some problems.

Medical malpractice companies also take an interest in whether or not an applicant has any felonies. It is more common than not, when faced with an applicant who has a felony, to deny coverage to this individual. Malpractice insurers are private corporations and they alone decide who they want to risk taking a chance upon.

Each time Lakin applies to contract with a medical group, he will have to come forth with this information. Granted, some people might not see his political views tied in with his ability to provide doctoring. However, the question becomes whether the group will find a convicted felon insurable. If he isn't, then they will not be able to offer him a job.

Forty-five year old Lakin is a physician trained and Board Certified in both Family Practice and Occupational Medicine. He has spent his entire career in the Army. The taxpayers paid for his education, giving him a salary while going to medical school. In addition, the Army system assured him a slot in a residency program, paying him roughly double what his contemporaries were making at university training programs. With his job as a physician in armed forces, he enjoyed paychecks every 2 weeks, vacations, leave, and much shorter hours than his civilian peers. (Believe me, civilian medicine is the trenches). He didn't have to pay for his own health insurance, business insurance, and never saw a medical malpractice premium in his life. Lakin never had to worry about being sued. In addition, he never had to hire employees, negotiate leases, pay state and federal payroll taxes, file quarterly tax returns, or work out coverage with already overworked peers to take a precious weekend away. On the personal side, when they moved, their moves were paid for, and his rank and work garnered respect. In short, Lakin was extremely lucky. He and his family enjoyed a degree of comfort that is extraordinarily rare in the civilian world of medicine.
But maybe this security made it easy for Lakin to get cocky and decide to play this faulty hand. He not only bit the hand that fed him his entire career, he has made it extraordinarily difficult to practice medicine in the civilian world. Lakin admits he is sorry now, and has offered to get on a plane. His attorney wants the charges dismissed. But the military must be clear. To consider back peddling would be an insult to every person who has served regardless of their personal political beliefs.

Service to something higher than oneself, and the willingness to die for it, is what distinguishes the person in the military from a civilian. In addition, service as a physician demands an unwavering commitment to humanity despite cultural, political, or religious differences. It is regrettable that Lakin chose to do neither.

Women behind the burqa

I'd think after ten years in Afghanistan, more of our troops would have developed some fluency in the language, and that most of us who support them would have a deeper understanding of the day-to-day lives of the people, the culture and history of the country. Not to romanticize it, but it does seem the knowledge of the vox populi is one largely gleaned for either the worst, or assumptions.

I think it's easy to write off, in fact marginalize anyone or anything you don't understand by calling them "dumb as hammers," as exhibited in the comments of one very well known blog. While 30 years of war might make people fearful, wily, unable to act on their deepest desires, it does not make them stupid. Assumptions like this are regrettable; they get everyone in trouble --especially those in the fight.
Here's a blog called Dust n Roses, an account of a Californian who lives in Kabul. They write a great post with photos about women behind the burqa. The writer hasn't updated it in five weeks, but I hope they will continue.
Dust n Roses now joins another blog that I really like, but rarely writes, Captain Cat's Diaries.

The Gratitude Post: Add a touch of green to your local war memorial

Christmas is a time of reflection. Hence, it's hard for those who have lost loved ones, and I keep military, contractor's, NGO and NPO families in mind. This year, we put together a wreath and laid it at the local war memorial. It pretty much goes ignored except for on Veteran's Day. It just seemed less lonely with a touch of green. If you have a war memorial in your town, please lay a wreath upon it.

This week I've been thinking a lot about my late Aunt June. She was Scottish, whose parents had emigrated to Liverpool for jobs. When she was old enough to be married, she and her first husband decided to immigrate, and move to the U.S. The result was this woman who loved the green cooler climes, lived the bulk of her life in the dry, hot desert of Tucson. Ages ago, my uncle decided to toss out a bunch of stuff. Included in his major cleaning was the donation of a lifetime's collection of Christmas ornaments. Toward the end of her life, she still spoke about this incident with some regret, though smiled as she pointed to the small counter top Christmas tree that was a year-round staple, and the light-up angel which seemed permanently affixed to the window! Anyway, Christmas was easy for them: all they did was plug it in. And so it is at this time of year when I find myself with too many things to do, to just plug in, make things easier and don't fret over all the things we think we should do. Anyway, I miss her horribly now. This week, I'm going to visit my widowed uncle. It's time for family.

I have many things to be grateful for, and I'm sure you do too. For those of you who are far from family, plug in, find your breath, close your eyes. It's the spirit of gratitude that makes the season beautiful.

Here's another cat video. For those of you unfamiliar with our Christmas tree challenge, each year Panda climbs it, knocking down ornaments and what not. Ah well. It's a tradition of sorts.

Operation Warrior Wellness: Helping Tame The PTSD Beast

I just listened to an hour-plus long press conference put together by The David Lynch Foundation. Operation Warrior Wellness is a program being launched for veterans to help them wrestle and tame the effects of PTSD. Using the trademarked TM (Transcendental Meditation) methods, Operation Warrior Wellness is determined to bring the techniques to veterans though governmental agencies, national and local troop and veterans support organizations.

"The David Lynch Foundation works in collaboration with government agencies and national and local veterans' outreach organizations to provide individual and group programs to heal the wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans, support the families of veterans with PTSD who are hospitalized or have lost their lives due to combat or suicide, and empower military personnel and military students with the tools to promote mental and physical resiliency."

There's a lot of truth in saying that PTSD takes one's life away. In the literal sense, we've read the blogs of their widows. For those who have ended their lives, it seemed to be the only way out to dealing with the pain, confusion and I have to point out: the bureaucracy. I do think there is a tendency to over-prescribe medication that is largely driven by the drug companies in their commercials and relentless pursuit to increase profits.* That's only my opinion--but one forged by being enmeshed in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years.

But this doesn't make me one of those fruit and nuts hippies. While I do think that medication is helpful, needed and can save lives; and while I would never dissuade anyone from using them if prescribed by a psychiatric professional and also balanced with talk-therapy and movement therapy, it's a double-edged sword. Set amid the fucking bureaucracy that staggers to deal with the emotional aspects of PTSD, it can be an unpleasant and fruitless experience. There I said it. I suppose if you're a drug rep, you'll be less than pleased with my partial assessment. So be it. Bite me.

(Crap, I just pulled a Free Range-style digression).
But there's also the slow gnaw on those who seem to be okay, but in reality aren't enjoying their lives and live if in silent desperation. And maybe that's worse --never quite knowing if the person you're with is really truly happy. I mean, that right there makes loved ones feel as lost as the person with PTSD.

The meditation being introduced through Operation Warrior Wellness is a systematic, scientifically proven way to effectively reduce stress. The results are physiological changes (lowering of blood pressure) and also emotional ones (reducing hypervigilance). It can be done twice a day for twenty minutes without the use of props, equipment and wherever you are physically at the moment. In other words, you don't have to go to a gym or yoga studio. You don't have to listen to someone else's U-jai breath or smell gym rats.

This blog doesn't promote one method over another. There are many ways to get stress relief, many ways to do meditation, and I just try to cover them all --from yoga to river rafting. Just be open to what organizations are offering. There is only knowledge to be gained.

*Read Deadly Medicine in this month's issue of Vanity Fair

A Christmas Card

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know:
the only ones among you who will really be happy
are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
-Albert Schweitzer

Your support and encouragement to our troops
brings comfort to their families and loved ones.
Thank you for the service you give to us.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Peace and Strength To All

Kanani

The Gratitude Post: Bittersweet, Notes From Sweden, and Teens Send Package To Troops

The epitome of bittersweet was slammed home to us yesterday. Twenty four hours after Marine Cpl Derek A. Wyatt, age 25, was felled by a sniper's bullet in a distant land, his wife gave birth to their son. I'd like to think that somewhere in between passing between the spirit world, the two got to meet before his son, Derek Jr., was born onto this earth. Perhaps they not only held one another, but had a talk as well. Derek Jr.'s arrival is a beautiful thing to happen in the face of such a tragedy. This baby is a blessing to his wife Kait. News of his son's arrival was shared by his friends on Facebook last night.
I'm grateful I think in those terms. It makes my life a lot softer. I hope others do too.
Please keep the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines in your thoughts. They've lost nineteen since October 8, as they work to clear, secure and hold.

Lars Gyllenhaal, who blogs from a small town near the arctic circle in Sweden, has presented a comprehensive list of books on Afghanistan in his post Waiting For The Taliban. As a an author, film researcher and member of the Swedish Military History Commission, Mr. Gyllenhaal has been reading about Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. Most recently, he read Sebastian Junger's book WAR and added it to his list.

The Teens at the Fullerton Boys and Girls Club recently wrote eighteen letters to be sent to the troops. Here's the box that will be sent over this week. Not only will they get the letters, we're sending over coffee and sweets. Said one person: "We don't get enough good news about kids today, this is heartwarming."
And these kids are good.

Lastly, grateful for the people who sounded off on a thread I posted to Facebook about PTSD the other day. The gist of the questions was whether or not non-combat survivors of PTSD could get beyond the political and moral issues around war to reach out to veterans with an attitude of non judgment. Several chimed in giving us a fascinating glimpse into the need for services to be expanded, and for the veteran and military family community to be willing to try a variety of approaches to bring relief for those with PTSD. I've rewarded three of the commenters with books. Winners were chosen by the random number generator, random.org. They are: Boston Maggie, Tad Donaho, Sr, and Beau Chatham!

Sebastian Junger's Coffee Gargle

In Sebastian's book WAR, he goes into great detail about finding a cup of coffee at COP Restrepo.

"Coffee at Restrepo was a problem because no one drank it so you were more or less on your own in that regard. Certain MREs include packets of coffee, powdered milk, and sugar, but I found it hard to remember which ones they were --as opposed to, say, the breakfast tea or cider mix --and that meant pawing through the garbage to find enough ingredients for a good cup. Once the precious powders were in hand, I'd go to the command center and empty a bottle of water into the electric kettle and plug it in. The command center was a dark, secure bunker next to Gillespie's bunk where the radios were stacked, and there was usually so little light that finding the kettle required some feeling around."

To ensure Sebastian didn't have to hassle with this the next time he embedded, I gave both him and Tim little packets of Nescafe during the DVD launch party for RESTREPO last week. Tim let the cat out of the bag by telling us that Sebastian used to take a packet like this, sprinkle it on his tongue, and swish a gulp of water around in his mouth. A coffee gargle, as it were.

"¡Donde Queiras, Cuando Quieras! It's soave!" said Tim, reading the package. He loved that the package was printed in Spanish. But considering where I live --well, what isn't? File this under "Fun."

Kitty listens to cool jazz while drinking from water fall

Yes, it's time for another cat video.

RESTREPO: Deleted Scene, "Cunningham's Climb"

The RESTREPO DVD is being released, with the deleted scenes. This is Cunningham's Climb. Please read after the video about the party for the film in West Hollywood. (Thanks to Dogwoof, the UK Distributor for the film for this sneak preview)

I attended the DVD launch in West Hollywood the other night. Tim, Sebastian and soldiers Santana Rueda and Dan Monroe were there for a Q&A. The soldiers did an excellent job fielding questions. The crowd was mainly film auteurs, and there were several questions with a potential political bias.

Q: "If you were President and Vice President tomorrow, what would you do about the war?"
A: "I'd give more resources to the soldiers on the ground and improve their situation."

This was an excellent answer, and appropriate as what Restrepo does is avoid the polemics to focus on the story of the platoon. While others have yearned for a film with a political statement, if the filmmakers had done this, it would have been their own point of view, rather than observing the lives of the soldiers.

Tim speaks with Dan at the reception
This is what has given passion to the many film goers who saw it this summer. Finally, the voice of an infantryman. Fans crowded the Facebook page, who wrote about it on blogs, called their local theaters and asked it be booked in towns large and small. After the screening, scores of people crowded around Dan and Santana, wanting to meet the soldiers and thank them for their service. I think everyone learned a little something that evening.

While the film is on the shortlist for an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary, it has garnered nominations from The Independent Spirit Awards and The National Board of Reviews. This is a very exciting time.

General Reminders: Flu Shots and Stop Loss Pay Deadline

Couple of helpful reminders:
1. Stop Loss Retroactive Pay Deadline is Dec. 3.

If you were stop-lossed to augment a deploying force between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009, you qualify for $500 for each full and partial month you were kept in the service involuntarily.

2. TriCare service members dependents may walk into any CVS Pharmacy and receive a flu shot at no cost.