1. When did you
serve as a Navy Corpsman, and what did you do overseas?
I entered the Navy in July 1996 and graduated Corps
school in Jan 1997. I then transferred to Field Medical Service School for
training. I reported to 6th ESB Co “C” as a HM1 in 2003 as the
I&I Corpsman. I was mobilized to deploy with the unit in 2004.
Overseas I was assigned as the LPO of the Battalion Aid
Station for CSSB-7, Al Asad, as well as the Engineer companies HM. As the LPO
my main responsibility was the everyday operations of the BAS as well as
ensuring medical coverage for the resupply and recovery convoys for our AOR.
The main reasonability for our staff of HM’s was to be
where we may be needed, and for our battalion that was on the convoys. When
manning was available we would provide 2 HM’s and an ambulance for each convoy.
For the most part the convoys were uneventful. We would have IED’s at most of
the same spots on our convoys so they were expected and for the most part we
were lucky that there were not more injuries during the convoys.
The reason that I was invited to Nashville and be a part
of CreatiVets was because of a Marine (Jeremy) that was injured on a convoy that I was
providing medical coverage for. While we were returning from a resupply convoy
to a FOB we were passing a vehicle that was pulled off of the road by our
security team at the lead of the convoy. The ambulance that I was in was
driving behind an MTVR that had 7 Marines onboard. As the MTVR was passing the
vehicle it detonated with the driver inside (SVIED) and engulfed the MTVR in
flames. The other HM and I provided initial medical care and MEDIVAC’d the
Marines.
Knowing what I knew about CreatiVets and how they help
injured tell their stories I wondered how I fitted in to the program since I
was not physically injured. Speaking with Richard (CreatiVets Executive Director) and Jeremy (Marine who went through the program), they let me know
that they wanted to get an experience from the medical side of story. How the
HM’s and medics do what they do and how it affects them and I was honored to be
invited.
2. What were your expectations for your trip to Nashville,
TN? Did the trip meet your expectations?
Not really knowing what to expect when I arrived in
Nashville I was a little apprehensive. I have told people my experiences before
but I never went to in depth as to what it was truly like and how it had
affected me. The trip was great. Jeremy took me around and showed me the sights
of Nashville the day I arrived. We were to meet with Walker McGuire the
following day. I would have to say that the trip far exceeded what I expected. Being
able to discuss past experiences with those who were there with me was worth it
but to add the songwriting experience to it was great.
3. What was the interaction like with Walker
McGuire? How did they help put your
story into song?
The interaction between Walker McGuire and me was
awesome. The session started by Richard and Jeremy explaining what CreatiVets is
about and then they turned it over to me to tell my story. I was comfortable
telling them what I experienced and the writers were taking notes and strumming
on the guitars the whole time. Once I finished talking they had already had
some thought on how the song should go and a couple key items that I mentioned
that they believed should be in the song. One of the things that I wanted to be
incorporated into the song was that I wanted it to be about the whole spectrum
of care not just my experience. I wanted to tell the story of how Doc’s treat
someone in the field as well as how they are treated
during their recovery. I believe that Walker McGuire did a great job at doing
this by putting lyrics together that were both personal to me but mixing them
with ones that most HM’s would understand.
It amazed me in the amount of time Walker McGuire needed to
complete the song. From the start of me telling my story to the finishing of the song
took less than an hour and a half. The first time the song was played as a
whole was the recording that is on You Tube and it sounded amazing. To experience the writing session and to see
how it is put together from start to finish was great. These are definitely
some talented individuals and I am thankful to them for spending their time to
do this for me and CreatiVets.
4. What did family/friends think of your song?
My friends and family was very impressed with the song.
Even though they do not fully understand how it was in Iraq I believe that this
gives them a better understanding of what I as well as other HM’s were able to
do while deployed. All of my friends that are Corpsman thought the song was
great and have shared it with others.
This was a great experience and I believe that Richard
and the CreatiVets organization as a whole is doing great things to help
veterans cope with experiences that they have had. I would definitely like to
thank Richard and Jeremy for inviting me to take part in this and to tell the
story.
