DR. BOB BROWN: A Soldier’s Reflection Memorial Day 2024

A Letter From Michael / Might 2024

Bob Brown, the place do I start? For years, you might have promoted an concept that I like, however I’m not positive the place to start. None the much less, In small batches, I’ve been writing what I’m at present pondering, and attempting to recall lots of my life’s reminiscences, each good and unhealthy.

Years of placing nasty substances into my physique have made remembering issues far harder than it must be for a 50 12 months previous. Extra so than something, Doc, I notice that our reminiscences usually are not eternal.

I’ve typically thought in regards to the hours that Keith and Keyta sat in that small circle looking for a means out of our personal, toxic minds. I’d spend my complete test for the chair I sat in, the tiles our ft restlessly slid throughout, or the door to the room. A room that appeared insignificant from the skin, but extra lives have been saved in that room than in a downtown Chicago ER.

Doc Brown, I nonetheless have your CD’s. Are you aware what number of instances I’ve “Sat on the finish of the dock with my ft dangling off the tip”? I’ve typically puzzled the way you emotionally dealt with a Job that sees souls come, and go. I do know that alongside the way in which, you developed a “powerful love” temperament, Lord is aware of you yelled at me loads of time. I do know your Religion at all times performed a task in your day after day journey, because it ought to. However, you might have at all times made an effort to maintain observe of us. Figuring out you might be nonetheless out there was past comforting for me, Doc.

I’m unsure if my buddies know the battles you had, on our behalf, with the bureaucrats in that constructing, however I bear in mind. You have been our Lawyer, our sounding board, our Physician and our pal and Doc I’m unsure learn how to thanks. Your humility has by no means allowed for a public “ol shucks” second however the way in which I, for one, am residing my life is my expression of Gratitude to you. You by no means needed plaques or awards; you needed us to search out our means.

The ethical compass you offered me has, and can at all times, work. Thanks, Doc. You’re a legend, a hero, a person of nice religion that I’ll at all times Love. If I ever write something, there can be a considerable portion of the guide for you. With out these years of counsel, the final 15 years wouldn’t have been potential. That’s for positive. Please keep in contact. You’re liked.

– Michael

Dr. Bob Brown’s Reply to the Soldier’s Memorial Day 2024 Reflections

Michael, you can’t understand how a lot I’m touched, honored, and sure, happy to be bragged about by your observe.  The timing is the work of the Holy Spirit.  My spouse of 70 plus years isn’t proud of me.  She can not perceive why I watch WW II motion pictures all day and into the night time, nor why they trigger me to cry.  I defined they remind me of the courageous Troopers I liked at Fort Lee.  I advised her the depth of the love my Troopers felt for one another was the therapeutic balm.

She is in each means a beautiful mate.  She needs to know, however I don’t imagine anybody can perceive who has not been deployed to fight with them.

As soon as, I advised the group I needed to go to Iraq.  Keith mentioned, “Sir you don’t must go to Iraq; we’re bringing Iraq and Afghanistan to you.”

As you understand, Keith and so many different combat-proven Troopers are geniuses.  I used to be 74 when God “spoke” to me in chills up and down my backbone and tears in my eyes when He mentioned, “I’ve ready each step of your means right here to deal with these Troopers. You needed to be a Soldier and a physician, however I needed you to be a physician to Troopers.”

Thanks, expensive Michael, a Soldier with writing expertise I want I had, and thank each Soldier God offered for me to admire, respect, and deeply love.

• Dr. Bob Brown : Might 27^th 2024

Robert S. Brown, MD, PHD a retired Psychiatrist, Col (Ret) U.S. Military Medical Corps devoted the final decade of his profession to treating troopers at Fort Lee redeploying from fight. He was a Medical Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Schooling at UVA. His famend Psychological Well being course taught the worth of train for a sound thoughts.