Pre-Deployment Training
In September Major Marty training at Army Medical Headquarters at Fort Huston in San Antonio attending a five day course called Tactical Combat Medical Care.
Separation from my Family and Absence from my Practice
I have never been away from my family for more than a week. I will miss my family enormously and my absence from them has already started and it is profound.
Looking Back at 9/11
There has never been a date that has meant so much to every one of us as September 11, 2001 but for obvious reasons (which I won't go into) in recent years it seemed as though public participation in commemorative events was floundering.
Deployment 6 Weeks Away
Next week is the 9th "anniversary" of the 09/11/2001 attack and in about six weeks I will report to Fort Benning, Georgia for 120 days of active duty in the United States Army on behalf of "Operation Iraqi Freedom". During my own "run-up" to this deployment people have made a big fuss over my decision to volunteer but it's not at all that simple.
Major Marty in The Republican
Martin Lesser, of Longmeadow, a family doctor with a practice in Holyoke, is scheduled to leave with the Massachusetts Army National Guard Friday for a tour of duty in Iraq.
Major Marty's National Guard Article
The Adjutant General of Massachusetts, Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter (left) and Maj. Martin Lesser of Holyoke Mass., pose for photographs following Lesser’s appointment as a medical officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, Jan. 11, 2009. Lesser, aged 57 years, received a waiver so that he could join the Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eric Kolesnikovas)
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Monday, February 7, 2011
DEPLOYMENT COMES TO AN END WITH JOYOUS AIRPORT REUNION WITH FAMILY.
The war in Afghanistan & Iraq has been going on for so many years it was all starting to feel like it was yesterdays news. I found the very thought of tuning out of a war was particularly frightening and especially unfair to the many thousands of soldiers who are still there.
While being apart from my family and away from my patients was difficult the most enjoyable part of the deployment was, without any doubt, simply being close to the other soldiers on this mission and being there to provide medical care to our troops. I did love & cherished being able to make some contribution to a very difficult war that has gone on too long.
My enlistment with the Massachusetts National Guard is not yet over and next month I'll be back at my monthly drill.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I'M BACK IN THE USA
We are then processed which includes sessions with medical, dental, mental health, audiometry, optometry, mental health, finance, veterans agency etc. Returning soldiers do have slightly higher rates of medical, mental health and family as well as additional problems of unemployment, homelessness, divorce, domestic violence etc. After we clear all of the above they will buy us an airline ticket home. Of course everybody wants to get out and get home ASAP so soldiers tend to deny having any needs for services. Fortunately they know they can get services later through the Veterans Administration.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
MISCELLANEOUS STORIES
Weight lifting area at The House of Pain. Weight Lifting Goes on 24/7. |
WE DON'T PLAY AT OUR HOUSE |