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| Coast Guard Heroes |
Early in the summer, my friend Anna suggested I add a Reading Challenge to my blog. After some thought on how to make this unique (like me), here's the plan:
1. On the first day of the the month, I will announce the "theme" for you to consider as you read any books.
In August, it is "Bring Me Heroes" in honor of the month's notable celebrations: US Coast Guard's birthday, William Wallace's Legacy and Duke Kahanamoku's birthday.
We are starting early because I already have a guest scheduled for August 1.
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| Sports heroes - Duke Kahanamoku and Babe Ruth |
2. On the last day of the month, I will solicit your comments about the theme - for August, what heroes (or heroines) inspired you in the books you read throughout the month?
3. Each Saturday will spotlight the theme - for August, I am spotlighting real heroes who inspired me.
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| Tamara and her "joint" team |
Today I spotlight a heroine who inspires me - Tamara in Afghanistan! She is a Navy doctor and romance reader. Tamara joins us for an intimate interview:
Kim: What has been the biggest challenge and reward during your deployment?
Tamara: There have been several challenges in this deployment but the biggest one is trying to provide US standard health care with supply shortages constantly. We have run out of gloves, gauze, tape, crutches, syringes, sterile gowns, etc at one time or another.
One of the biggest rewards is our blossoming mentorship program with the Afghan National Army health care team. When we arrived, they didn't participate in any training with us. Now we have 6-8 of them show up every morning eager to learn and help us care for their comrades in arms as well as their countrymen. We provide didactic as well as hands on skill training in multiple areas and nothing is more satisfying then helping them.
Kim: What have you learned about the Afghan people?
Tamara: The Afghans are a very proud and stoic people. They have a great sense of humor, but it takes a lot to get a smile out of them. They have an intense sense of community, every patient has at least on person with them at all times helping them. When there are multiple patients on the ward from all over the country, it doesn't matter, they become their own village and defer to the eldest member. They look out for and care for one another even if they are strangers.
Kim: How can readers support deployed personnel?
Tamara: As a medical team we are a fixed structure and don't go on missions. The people who go on missions like to have travel size hygiene products to take with them. When we receive those supplies we save for patients and take to the MWR tent for other soldiers to pick up.
Tamara: As a medical team we are a fixed structure and don't go on missions. The people who go on missions like to have travel size hygiene products to take with them. When we receive those supplies we save for patients and take to the MWR tent for other soldiers to pick up.
It is very hot in the summer and we drink a lot of bottled water. Everyone likes flavoring for this and if it can replenish salt, that is even better. Snacks like beef jerky, nuts, non-chocolate candy (melts), trail mix, meals that you can make in a microwave or adding hot water to are very appreciated. Ziploc bags in all sizes, air freshener, extra socks (for boots or tennis shoes), and sunblock.
Specifically for our patients: large diapers (we have pediatric patients, but no supply chain for them), toys, clean used kids clothes, adult and child flip-flops.
Mahalo, Tamara, for giving us a glimpse of deployed life. I salute you and your team for serving the US personnel and Afghan people!
Today's giveaway is for Tamara - a box of the items listed above. If you are interested in sending a box to Tamara, please contact me at sos.aloha@yahoo.com for her mailing address.
Meanwhile, I welcome comments from you - do you know someone currently deployed? Do you have (or have you had) a deployed "pen pal"? What would you miss from home if you deployed?
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
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| Romance readers on deployment! |
