While I have many wonderful memories of my years as a flight nurse with the Delaware Air National Guard, my most memorable moment came on Christmas Day in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The mood leading up to Christmas was gloomy as this was for most of us our first holiday deployed far from home. We had been training continuously in preparation for what was to become Desert Storm. We had a few "live" missions moving an individual soldier who got hurt or sick, but it sometimes seemed like overkill to have a whole medical crew onboard to fly one or two patients.
On Christmas Day I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and headed that afternoon to the chow tent for the much-anticipated Christmas dinner. As I was approaching the entrance out walked Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. the Eisenhower of the whole operation, accompanied by two Saudi guards who were even larger than the 6'3" general. I found myself stopped in my tracks by this sight and saluted.
I wished him a Merry Christmas and he offered the same. He then asked me my role in the military. After telling him "Flight Nurse" his only comment was "Good. We are going need you very soon. Be ready to move at least 1,000 casualties a day." I saluted again and off he went with his escort and entourage.
After that encounter I did not feel so sorry for myself. I realized how important a role I had and felt compelled to make the general proud, and to do right by my future patients. That feeling is how I now define service as a nurse to my country.