RESPONSE FROM A DOCTOR - COMMENTS RECEIVED

"I have read Dr. Ellison's piece in my March [2004] issue of 'INVADER', the Newsletter of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association.

Would that Dr. Ellison had been my husband's doctor when he was seen at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital in December [1993]! This hospital is located in San Antonio, Texas.

My husband, who was very ill and upset, suffering from what proved to be lung cancer, had to endure a 'go to your room' lecture from his physician. I am sorry to say that I cannot remember this guy's name. He excoriated my husband, Lt Col. Charles S Tolsma, now deceased, as to what would be the cost of his care, how very much his care would cost the Air Force. This was both wounding and insulting.

My husband served as a teen age soldier in the Pacific in World War 11, as a bomber pilot in Korea, a pilot again in Vietnam and flew the Cold War for over a decade. [Forgot to mention the years he spent flying the C-141 to various trouble spots 'round the planet.] I am trying to be a lady here. I served, too. I watched my husband fly off into the wild blue yonder, four little children clutching at my skirts and clinging to my ankles – for a very long time.

This was not easy duty for either of us.

I lost my husband ten years ago this week (April 18, 1994). He was, and is still, my hero."

Betty Tolsma
Schertz, Texas
October 15, 2007

Read Cpt. Ellison’s article on the greatest generation’s sacrifices and wanted to add my bit. I am one of those and grew up during the great depression (wherein we didn’t get a lot to eat even), drafted out of High School, didn’t see home for three years and during that time I was frightened to death most of the time. On the positive side; this experience gave me a college education (GI Bill) which I could not have afforded otherwise - in turn gave me 30+years at the Boeing Co. I’m now retired and in reasonably good health. So, along with a good wife of 60 years, we have a lot to be thankful for! It IS nice that (some) people do recognize this.

Dan Alexander
Olympia, WA
February 14, 2008

Contact Dan Alexander by Email

I just received a copy of Dr Ellison’s article from my Dad:

Stephen Ellison’s article about the patients he has served as a doctor at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas. I was wondering how I could respond to this article, and if possible, see that Dr. Ellison receive comments as well. I am hoping that he might be willing to share other stories with me and my family, including my fiancé who is a nursing student. It’s interesting how you sometimes don’t realize how incredible the things are right in front of you.

My Dad is a veteran, and I have friends who are headed overseas, or are coming back from overseas. My Dad has said himself that military service is a great deal different now than it was when he was in (1966-1992). The different nature of the military does not, however, change the fact of their service. I have watched the promises our government made to these people get chipped away at over the last few years and it galls me.

These are interesting times we live in, aren’t they? When someone who would otherwise call herself a ‘peacenik’ and a staunch career military man like my Dad, find themselves in such total agreement regarding military and political affairs in this country. As much as I support peace and foreign policy solutions that would avoid sending troops into countries like Afghanistan and Iraq, and certainly avoid bloodshed in either of these areas, my ability to lawfully voice any opinion, even a dissident opinion, is not a right that comes without responsibility. Veterans in this country have taken a large piece of that responsibility, and when this nation’s government won’t speak up on their behalf, or does so with such meekness that it hardly causes a ripple; it’s up to citizens to speak out.

I would like to relay my gratitude to Dr. Ellison for sharing his experiences, for shining a spotlight on a national resource (our elderly retired military personnel) that is fading away, and for speaking up on behalf of those who deserve it.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sara Lorinda Waddell
March 15, 2008

Dear Dr. Ellison

This is just to let you know that I, too, have tried to get our government to show their respect for veterans in general, and for my veteran husband in particular. The war I wage is for the same care locally, not hours away, and with the same funded choice the lawmakers get. No one is interested. Please know you are not alone.

Most sincerely,
Bernadette Gompper
April 27, 2008