Think back to your first few events. When your Captain got the command to close on the foe, did he let you and your comrades break formation and go in at the double-quick, losing elbow contact? No matter how controlled the juggernaut sometimes esprit and chances of carrying the heights gets the best of an attack. Let's face it; we've all "broken western" a time or two, and so did our honorable ancestors, but often at the risk of losing cohesiveness and breaking the irresistable wave. It was that martial spirit, even parade ground marching that so un-nerved and intimidated our foes, in past events and in the real war we seek to re-create.
Les knows this battle he is in, is not a race. He knows he cannot afford to break step and get too far ahead of his pards, for at such moments it is in his best interests to keep comrades to his left and right, watching and assisting his every move. Right now Les has all kinds of comrades and pards, from various walks of life. Some are nine-to-five workers, some are businessmen, some are educators, some are doctors, nurses and medical specialists. They (we) are all there in the ranks with him. trying to provide the elbow contact to assure him (as he assures us also) that he is not alone in this epic struggle.
Many attacks, even the most carefully designed ones, fail because someone becomes impetuous and surges ahead, confident of victory, regardless of the well-drilled tactics that are proven for success. Les' doctors and nurses are the most prudent of comrades right now. They know that there is nothing he would rather do than go home, to rest prior to his pending surgery. Yet because of recent setbacks, including a compromised immune system, it is best to have him in the hospital for awhile, rather than let him surge homeward. As I have written in previous entries, cancer is a living, consuming beast that has a ravenous appetite. Les will tell us all about his "hand-to-hand" combat with this beast, as soon as he is able to rejoin us, but for now he realizes that he is where he needs to be - in ranks, with all of his pards, including those who now confine him for his own good.
We spoke for about ten minutes yesterday, before his strength began to wane. His voice was so strong and confident that I told him how impressed I was, with his good sound and positive talk. He will tell you this is not a race. He will tell you he is winning, despite the setbacks. He will tell you he is not ready to give in to this foe. He will tell you he is glad you are in his life. He will tell you he is going to visit your campfire and drink alot of coffee with you and his other pards, and when it is all in the rear view mirror, he will tell you how lucky he is to have you as his comrade and that if he can do it, you can too.
Now that he is in the hospital, finished with his required radiation and chemotherapy, he is no longer in the Caring House as he was before, as an out-patient. You can write him at Duke University Hospital, Room 9306, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina 27710. He can also be reached by phone at (540) 366-2828. If he is feeling well enough to answer you, he will. Otherwise, leave him a message, as all those he has received have warmed his heart and lifted his spirits.
Remember, it's not a race that wins a battle; it is instead, a strong relentless advance. There's first call. Take arms!! Fall in!! In each rank, count! Twos! Attention, Company. Shoulder, Arms! Forward, March!
Steady now.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Bravery and Determination
It has been awhile, due to technical troubles, since I've gotten to write about our comrade, Captain Switzer, as he battles cancer. The vast majority of us know precious little about just how vicious such an illness can be; we know only what folks tell us, and what we can learn from the media, for the most part.
Ask Les and he will tell you just what a determined foe he is facing. It does not care if it devastates your body. It has no shame at robbing you of your dignity. It cares not that your whole being is transformed from robust health, to uncertain existence, and it has no compunction at all, of making you wonder if you will be able to escape its wrath.
Having just finished today, his fifth week of pre-surgical treatments, to shrink the tumor in his esophagus, Les has one more week of chemotherapy and radiation. Then a couple of weeks of rest at home, and a battery of tests, before he will travel back to Duke, to have his surgery, at the end of June. Throughout all of this, he has maintained his sense of humor, and is determined to help his doctors defeat "Earl", as he has named his cancer. Ask him, and he will tell you grimly, that "Earl must die."
It has been difficult to watch my long-time friend endure this ordeal, yet at the same time, how he is handling his situation and his uncertain future, has inspired me and others who know him. Several of us spend much of our conversation, marvelling at how matter-of-factly he is going about his battle. Each one of us has asked ourselves, "Why him? Why not someone else?" More importantly though, we ask ourselves, "Could I endure such an assault on my body, on my very life, with such grim resolve and strength of character, as Les is doing?"
Frankly, Les has become (and he would slap me for saying this!) a tangible hero to more than a few of us. He could not possibly have known that through his dilemma, he would be ministering to all of us, with his astounding courage and desire to survive this onslaught. In a world that thumps its chest and demands that we pay attention to "how big and bad" folks try to be, Les walks the walk and talks the talk. I dare any of the young punks in today's tough-talking world, to show one percent of the manhood that Les is trying to teach them. Frankly, they could not possibly hope to live long enough, to soak in all the lessons he is teaching.
Les says he's going to beat this, and I know he will. Why don't you write him a line at switz2@cox.net and let him know that you believe his vow of life. Don't be surprised that he writes you back, when he feels strong enough to do so. That's the kind of man he is, and just knowing that you believe his vow, will both inspire you and bless him.
Until next time, keep the faith.
Colonel Greg Gallion
Ask Les and he will tell you just what a determined foe he is facing. It does not care if it devastates your body. It has no shame at robbing you of your dignity. It cares not that your whole being is transformed from robust health, to uncertain existence, and it has no compunction at all, of making you wonder if you will be able to escape its wrath.
Having just finished today, his fifth week of pre-surgical treatments, to shrink the tumor in his esophagus, Les has one more week of chemotherapy and radiation. Then a couple of weeks of rest at home, and a battery of tests, before he will travel back to Duke, to have his surgery, at the end of June. Throughout all of this, he has maintained his sense of humor, and is determined to help his doctors defeat "Earl", as he has named his cancer. Ask him, and he will tell you grimly, that "Earl must die."
It has been difficult to watch my long-time friend endure this ordeal, yet at the same time, how he is handling his situation and his uncertain future, has inspired me and others who know him. Several of us spend much of our conversation, marvelling at how matter-of-factly he is going about his battle. Each one of us has asked ourselves, "Why him? Why not someone else?" More importantly though, we ask ourselves, "Could I endure such an assault on my body, on my very life, with such grim resolve and strength of character, as Les is doing?"
Frankly, Les has become (and he would slap me for saying this!) a tangible hero to more than a few of us. He could not possibly have known that through his dilemma, he would be ministering to all of us, with his astounding courage and desire to survive this onslaught. In a world that thumps its chest and demands that we pay attention to "how big and bad" folks try to be, Les walks the walk and talks the talk. I dare any of the young punks in today's tough-talking world, to show one percent of the manhood that Les is trying to teach them. Frankly, they could not possibly hope to live long enough, to soak in all the lessons he is teaching.
Les says he's going to beat this, and I know he will. Why don't you write him a line at switz2@cox.net and let him know that you believe his vow of life. Don't be surprised that he writes you back, when he feels strong enough to do so. That's the kind of man he is, and just knowing that you believe his vow, will both inspire you and bless him.
Until next time, keep the faith.
Colonel Greg Gallion
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