Another Polaroid. Somewhere in Arlington. Sometime in the 60's.This picture says a lot about my sisters. And unfortunately me.
This was my paternal grandparents home in Arlington. Grandfather had retired from the Army as a Sergeant Major and was working as a civilian for the federal government. Grandmother forever influenced my politics by telling me Republicans were evil and the only hope for our country was to keep the Democrats in office. I still believe her.
My father took this picture and it may have been his last visit with his parents before leaving for Vietnam. My sisters were very close growing up. They still are. My little sister is deaf. No one is really sure when or how it happened. We know it was shortly after she was born but it took years before we knew she was deaf. We knew there was something wrong. We didn't know what. I look back at this time and remember confusion and a not too sympathetic or helpful Army. And that pretty much defines my role. Too selfish to care and too lazy to make an effort. My main concern was getting my hair to part to the right.
I treasure the memories of these visits to Arlington. It seemed normal.
8 comments:
Tin-tin's phred/dad said:
I'm no fan of modern medicine and can tell you some horror stories. But, there are exceptions:
In your case, as a baby, you cried constantly. Numerous trips to hospital resulted in no reason for it. Your Mom did the normal routine -- pet you a lot and fed you LOTS of milk. Finally, one young, alert doc realized you were lactose intolerant.
Diagnosis simple. He poked his finger in your belly. The indentation remained. You were dehydrated (even with all that milk). He rushed you to lab for an IV. Case solved. You did, though, continue to eat ice cream and thus often crap in your pants. Does this continue?
Your youngest sister was misdiagnosed many times. One young Army doc pediatrician suggested he come to our house, in civvies, that we have a booze hour while he conducted a few tests. Result? He said "this little girl isn't mentally ill, she's deaf." Case closed. Your sister has since graduated from college and is gainfully employed. House call? From an Army doc? Yes, they're not all incompetent.
In my own case, checked into hospital
in VN with ulcer symptoms. Doc just in from U.S. (with no experience or training in tropical medicine) said "check in, we'll open you up tomorrow morning (like a zippered hand bag)and fix it." I deferred and went to my own Special Forces medic, who laughed his ass off and informed me I just had what was called the "creeping crud" (a common parasite). Take these (antibiotics) Cap'n, take it easy a few days, resume normal diet and martinis (booze helps anethsetize the parasite). Within a week, I was flying again -- without surgery and a nasty scar.
Lesson learned: They're not all incompetent. But, you gotta' shop around. (Sure wish I could still go to a Special Forces medic.)
Dad- Just crapped my pants when I read this although it has nothing to do with eating ice cream. I remember meeting your SF medic, "Campy" in the Army. By then he was a Master Sgt or SGM, I can't remember. He did have some stories about you I do remember.
Okay, you may have just alienated a deuce-and-half's worth of your audience by wedging that evil Republican comment into your Arlington blog. Just know this: the Democratic Party of today is not the same party it was during JFK's time - it's far more left leaning. And since most military people identify with conservative politics they tend to vote that way. It's just that simple...except...I can't speak for Brats! That's where it gets complicated.
-DB
DB- Over here there's you, my dad, my sister and two other readers.
I've since met many people with military backgrounds who are democrats...and another thing...isn't it interesting to see how many ex Air Force and Navy types wanna continue the war but ex Army and Marine Corps want to end it. That says it all.
Arlington blog follow up:
I forgot about "ex" military. Point taken.
About the photo: Today we take it for granted that these "conditions" will be diagnosed and treated early, even in some cases, "in utero."
Now that I have a five year old daughter, it just warms my heart like you would not believe that your littlest sister can smile as she does, despite her deafness, in many of her photos. And that a sympathetic young doctor took the time to look outside the box is just as astonishing. God, perhaps, has blessed them both.
-DB
Tin-tin's phred/dad said
"Anonymous" (aka DB) has always been a puzzling read for me on the TRAD, but he's really got things nailed down here!
Your grandmother was a wonderful woman; but, when it came to politics, she didn't know the difference between shit and shoe polish! (Maybe you don't either?)
On her side, though, it must be remembered she suffered through the great Depression. To her, and many others, FDR (now known as a a socialist) was the great savior of America.(Incidentally, I still have your grandfathers tickets to the 1948 Democratic Convention if you'd like them.)
DB says he can't/doesn't speak for brats, but he does it well. Yes, many brats and vets have a conservative "bent," but are not all Repubs. Many, if not most, consider themselves as and register as "independents." We vote for the best (or the least worst) of available candidates. No party loyalty.
I served as a combat infantryman in Viet Nam. Other than a very few psychos, I don't know of anyone who would enjoy doing that. (We laughed a lot. It was better than crying.)
John (Tin-tin) is also a bit off when saying it's Army and Marine vets who don't want war. There are a lot of USAF men who flew in the "Jolly Green Giants" to rescue us. There are Navy "Seals" who do even more. And, in case you don't know it, the Marines do NOT have combat medics. The Marine medics, in combat, are NAVY sailors.
For John (Tin-tin). Sergeant Campos (Campy) was a good friend who helped me a lot in those early days, and a medic and, also, the Operations Master Sergeant of my next higher HQ (which is why he knew so much of our antics). I remember him fondly.
For DB. Ref medical types. My cancer was detected early on by a young Filipino doc. Had it not been for his talent, I'd be dead by now.
You gotta' keep shoppin'.
Love the picture but grandma was oh-so-wrong. It's now turned around and it's the democrats (think Barney Frank, Durbin, Chris Dodd...the list is a mile long) who are the evil ones.
To be fair, my grandparents were yellow dog democrats in their day but there is no way Jose they would vote democrat today. It is an entirely different party. :)
Cheers.
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