Pediatrician Soldier
The Man the Kids call ‘Dr. Charlie’ goes to War
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Soldiers - So Young
One Never to Return.......... One day at the clinic, I was reviewing the charts of the soldiers in the battalion. The reason was to make sure that all their line of duty forms were done. I reviewed one chart with little medical information. Here was this soldier who had been here for all this time and had just an entry or two about sick call. This soldier had a good year. Then I asked the NCO about this soldier. He informed me that the soldier had died from an improvised explosive device several months back. My heart just dropped. I went outside and just sat and cried. I held in my hand a soldier’s medical record. Here was a name and his identification. But I knew nothing of this brave individual who gave of his life. Then I thought about this soldier’s family. Was he married, did he have kids. How was his family coping with his loss? So many questions and yet I could not even see his face. All I knew was a name and number. All I could do was cry.
One Changed Forever.......... Was having a good day at the clinic one fine sunny morning. Call received about a soldier coming with trauma. History was that the soldier was only a few days from going home. He was washing a military vehicle. The area was slick, the vehicle rolled and pinned the soldier against the wall. The soldier was brought in with multiple trauma to include cervical/back injuries, hemothorax (blood in his lung wall), fractured pelvis / leg and an injury to his arm. The soldier only wanted to know about his arm. Would it be OK so that he can still play sports? I looked at his arm. It was extremely pale and the pulse was barely palpable. There was a big blood clot in one area. He had limited movement. He asked again. I looked into the beautiful blue eyes of this young soldier. He was probably still in his late teens. What was I going to say! Given all what I saw. I lied. I told him that all was going to be well as I gave him a shot of morphine. After further stabilization, he was air evacuated to the hospital. I wish I knew how that soldier is today. After he left, I went to a quiet area away from everyone and just cried.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
"Pediatrician Soldier" tells COL (Dr.) Garbarino's amazing true story of how he left the safety and security of a successful medical practice to enter a combat zone. Experience a different side of war-the human side-with this deeply emotional first hand account of this pediatrician's overseas deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. View the war from the perspective of someone who is there to take care of our soldiers.
"Pediatrician Soldier" is an easy-to-read collection of essays based on Dr. Garbarino's diaries and e-mails while in Iraq and Kuwait. Some of the stories are humorous, some are inspiring; throughout, Dr. Garbarino provides a blunt assessment of what has worked what has failed to meet the needs of our soldiers.
Compassionate and powerful, this book reveals this childrens' physician's incredible dedication and devotion to caring for our troops, who he describes as just 'big kids', using humor, empathy and love.
In addition, there are essays from others who have been affected by the war who have served in Iraq and those from home. Each offers the author's own experiences and persective on the Iraq war. Get to know two soldiers - one fallen, Captain John J. McKenna killed by sniper fire while leading his soldiers during a mission - and - one forever traumatized, Sgt. Daniel Tallouzi who because of a small piece of shrapnel from a mortar attack returned in an "eyes open" coma.
Feel for those family members living each day, never knowing if their loved ones will return in a box, disabled or forever changed.
COL Garbarino , the soldier, has seen how war's devastation has brought death and destruction to all in its path. His book allows insight into his two OIF tours as seen through his eyse, written with deep passion and revealing a human face to war. Dr. Charlie, the pediatrician, is looking into the future, to see if there will be a world for tomorrow's children.
About the Author
Charles Garbarino fulfilled his lifelong dream by becoming a pediatrician and helping children. His signature - clown nose, twirly hat, Mickey Mouse shirt and lollipops - earned him the affectionate nickname of 'Dr. Charlie'.
His life adventures continued when he became a medical officer in the United States Army
COL Garbarino was the first New Jersey Army National Guard physician deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Charlie brings the same compassion to his care for the children as he does for the soldiers.
Charles resides in New Jersey with his wife Lydia.
COL (Dr.) Garbarino dedicates his book to all of our Armed Forces, women and men, who serve our country and to their families.
All royalties from the book will benefit "Our Military Kids", an organization which provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country. For more information on this organization go to www.ourmilitarykids.org