Drawing for the USO in San Antonio!
posted 1.25.10 at 12:00 am
This weekend marked the return of my USO/NCS sponsored trip to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
BAMC is a world renowned medical facility, known primarily for it's amputee center (Center for the Intrepid) and world class burn unit. Patients there get top notch care by some of the best medical specialists in the world (not to mention some really cool state-of-the-art prosthetics!).
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The USO rounded up some of us cartoonists to go down there and sit, talk with and draw some of these guys, to help raise morale and basically give them something to look forward to. The group included Jeff Keane (Family Circus), Jeff Bacon (Broadside from the Navy Times), David Mowder (Hallmark), Bill Hinds (Tank McNamara, Cleats), Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues), Rob Harrell (Big Top), cartoonist Milburn Taylor and caricaturist Rob Smith Jr. Myself also being a caricature artist, frankly I was pretty apprehensive about the whole thing. Why would these soldiers with newly blown off arms and legs and burns want to have their caricatures done? I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting, but lots of laughs, stories and good times was definitely not it. Sure enough, we were welcomed with open arms by the staff and patients, and proceeded to draw funny pictures in the enormous rehab center while we all got to know each other and hear stories of what lead these men and women to that facility. Needless to say, many of the tales told where pretty shocking, and we often found the patients were the ones who had to tell US that it would be OK! Ha!
We drew here for about 3 and half hours, which wasn't nearly enough time, as I think we all were shocked at how quickly the hours passed.
The second half of the day was at the burn center at BAMC. In years past, the terrorists have been burying petroleum cannisters next to IEDs (roadside bombs), so the explosion would be more like a napalm attack. Unconventional warfare at it's most brutal.
Here they had tables set up for us to draw at, with our names and descriptions up front so people could pick and choose who they wanted drawings done by. The signs must have gotten mixed up, as I was furiously busy the entire time with a huge line, while Jeff Keane kept getting asked to draw personalized drawings of Beetle Baily! (Just kidding, Jeff...)
Me, Milburn Taylor, Jeff Keane, Dave Mowder, Rick Kirkman and Rob Smith Jr.
This half of the day was spent primarily drawing the doctors and nurses of the facility, and many spouses of people being treated.
The caregivers at the sort of facility have my utmost respect and admiration. The patients at facilities like this often get all the attention by the American media, but these doctors and nurses deserve as much attention and adulation, as what they go through on a daily basis completely boggles my mind.
This trip is one I'll never forget. Some of the stories I've heard and the people I met, I will absolutely never forget. This type of thing puts it all in perspective: We worry about our computers not being fast enough, or our cell phones occasionally dropping calls. Meanwhile the guys in this facility graciously sacrificed everything they could, for us and our country. Many of the folks I met have had their lives permanently, painfully altered, and many watched as their best friends died right next to them, leaving them to wonder "why me? Why did I survive?" This kind of thing can change your whole outlook on life, to say the least.
Then I wonder, who got more out of this trip? These soldeirs, or me?
The caregivers at the sort of facility have my utmost respect and admiration. The patients at facilities like this often get all the attention by the American media, but these doctors and nurses deserve as much attention and adulation, as what they go through on a daily basis completely boggles my mind.
This trip is one I'll never forget. Some of the stories I've heard and the people I met, I will absolutely never forget. This type of thing puts it all in perspective: We worry about our computers not being fast enough, or our cell phones occasionally dropping calls. Meanwhile the guys in this facility graciously sacrificed everything they could, for us and our country. Many of the folks I met have had their lives permanently, painfully altered, and many watched as their best friends died right next to them, leaving them to wonder "why me? Why did I survive?" This kind of thing can change your whole outlook on life, to say the least.
Then I wonder, who got more out of this trip? These soldeirs, or me?
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Dave Mowder between two soldiers at a San Antonio bar after the days events. Both were in a humvee full of soldiers that ran over an IED. They were the only survivors. That arm on the guy on the left was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. All the fingers are fully articulated.
Can't go to San Antonio without seeing the Alamo.
*Note: there is no basement.
And, right across the street, a nice old fashioned saloon. Complete with Teddy Roosevelt lookalike bartender!
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7 comments so far...
This is very moving, Eddie. I know spirits were lifted and that HAS to make you feel good. I am proud of you! Mag
Posted by Maggie on January 25 at 5:00 PM
Very exciting hon! I'm so proud of you!!!
xo
Posted by Heather on January 25 at 10:14 PM
Amazing!! Especially that neat arm!! I'm so glad you got to go! Good job! xoxo.
Posted by ksteck on January 26 at 4:12 PM
Well done, I hope you get to go back, or do similar work!
Posted by Jennifer S. on January 26 at 9:31 PM
Wow! What an incredible experience - thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Posted by Liz on January 27 at 8:33 AM
Ed, This is amazing! I'm so proud of you!!! It's good to go out of your comfort zone sometimes and experience what is happening around you.
Posted by Carrie E. on January 27 at 1:50 PM
Very cool Ed - sounds like it was a worthwhile and rewarding experience.
Posted by James Hungaski, Jr. on February 3 at 10:08 AM
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