Serving Our Country

I was watching the Memorial Eve Commemoration in Washington, D.C. last night. It was inspiring and well done. I began thinking about how we serve our country. So many have fought and died in wars. They gave their all for the belief in freedom. These past two wars have been called the "Wars of the Wounded". The advanced medical help and technology has kept many alive who would not have survived in earlier wars. This is causing tremendous problems for these severly wounded men and women and their families. The cost of their care and the emotional toll is astronomical.
Rulon has been working with veterans since he was an intern in Palo Alto at the V.A. Hospital there. In Chicago, he has worked with thousands and their families since 1972. Now he is retiring July 31st. Others will take over this great responsibility of giving help and hope to those who suffer.
I would like to pay tribute to Rulon today. He has helped so many during his career. He truly cares about veterans and can handle the meanest, toughest guys. He has kept many alive when they were ready to give up. He has helped with the family issues that have resulted because of the effects of war.
However, I am not the only one who has paid tribute to him lately. One veteran gave him this hat that says "Veteran of Veterans" on it. Another gave him the plaque below which states:

Dr. Gibson
Grateful appreciation

For a Wonderful

Doctor & A Good Friend

For Taking That Extra Step,

For Going That Extra Mile

For Being An Extraordinary Individual

From a Grateful Vet

I recently found a poem writen by another patient for Rulon's birthday some years back.

A Tribute to Dr. Gibson On His Birthday

(By a very grateful patient)

Much on my mind,

Got far behind

In organization -

Affecting realization

Of important occasion-

Your Birthday!

What can I say?

That I still wish

Life's full dish

To a wonderful guy,

Helps others who cry:

No one can deny -

Deep understanding

Problems not withstanding.

Patience, compassion,

Love is in fashion.

Helping us Vets

Crawl out of nets

Of mental sets.

See the light,

A marvelous sight!

Twists and turns,

Souls often burn

With fear & frustration,

Having served a nation

In high and low station,

You clear our minds

And Sanity find --

Now vistas in life

Above the strife,

Unerring guidance,

Brilliant reliance

On Rational Science,

We crawl from our wall

To happiness from hell.

A 100-gun salute,

To our mentor astute.

we'll love you forever

Through all our endeavor,

we'll never say never.

Here's our inscription:

"You're the greatest, Dr. Gibson!"

(I agree!!!)