“Thank you for your service!” is a frequently heard refrain from people when they see that you are a veteran of the armed services, and it always causes me to stand a little taller and feel pride well up inside. It is something that veterans like to hear. Approximately 7 out of 100 people in the United States are veterans, but only 4 out of 1000 are currently serving in the US Armed Forces!
Many of the providers you come in contact with at Cincinnati Children’s have served in the military, and they can be nurses, doctors, technologists or any other position in the hospital. Their reasons for having served are as varied as the people they care for, but it usually comes down to a sense of pride in the United States of America. Nurses, doctors, radiology technologists, laboratory technologists and surgical technologists are some of the professions that receive training in the military. Some enter into the military as enlisted and are offered training as an Army Medic, Aerospace Medical Service Technician or Navy Corpsman. They progress through the ranks, acquiring skills and certifications that lead to civilian employment. Others take advantage of military programs that pay for college or medical school that lead to an officer commission. Others entered military service after getting their degrees in nursing, psychology, or hospital administration because they want some adventure.
On and around Veteran’s Day, former veterans that are now working at Cincinnati Children’s are honored in a ceremony and can often be seen wearing a flag pin or a lanyard indicating our prior service. Say “Hello!” and hear our story.
Contributed by Dr. Robert Fleck and edited by Janet Adams,(ADV TECH-ULT)
