Combat Medic Poetry

Author

Patrick Thibeault

Author Bio

Patrick Thibeault grew up as an Army brat. He lived in the United States, Germany and graduated from high school in Seoul, South Korea. Patrick lived on the US. Army bases in Germany in the towns of Swabish Gmeund, Hanau, and Neu Ulm. He embraced the culture and learned much about the history of Europe. While living in Germany, his family would travel around Europe. He has been to Paris, France, Italy, and even had a chance to visit Berlin.

In the United States, Patrick lived in Fayettville, North Carolina, whilst his father was stationed at Fort Bragg. Patrick spent the second grade while his father was stationed at Fort Devons, in Massachusetts. He graduated from Seoul American High School in Seoul, South Korea when his father was stationed on the Army base.
He joined the U.S. Army to become a paratrooper medic. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion / 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Patrick deployed to Operation Desert Storm and Shield back in 1990 with this elite unit .During his time in the 160th, Patrick had the chance to grow as a medic, a soldier and as a man. He deployed to locations both in the United States and many different overseas locations.

Patrick then started college to become a registered nurse and continued to serve in the military on a part time basis in the Army National Guard. He served with Indiana and Kentucky Army National Guard. During his time in the National Guard, Patrick deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and non-combat operations in South America. Patrick deployed with the Indiana 76th Infantry Brigade to Afghanistan with Task Force Phoenix. This organization was tasked with training and fighting with the Afghanistan National Army

Description

Combat Medic Poetry is inspired poetry written by the author who served in Desert Storm and in Afghanistan. The author wrote this poetry in his ongoing battle with PTSD and dealing with the consequences of war. Patrick’s poetry include poems about the warrior on the battlefield, suicide, coming home from war, the different soldiers who serve in a war. The poetry is both sad, happy, sarcastic and bitter all at the same time. Suicide among combat veterans is a very serious issue and the author writes several poems about suicide and how he personally dealt with suicide.

PTSD is another serious issue that many who serve in combat. The author wrote poems about PTSD and about the consequences of war and coming home

Book excerpt

The Loss
Engaging the enemy at zero dark thirty
A warrior screaming for his life
His bloodied body on the desert floor
Tourniquet applied, a large bore IV inserted
The amputation was just too traumatic
The medic toiled in a furbish manner
But to no avail
The agonal breathing started
He will miss his family never more
His sacred blood fertilizes Mother Earth
Vials of morphine scattered across the desert floor
The pain no more
The screaming stopped
The heart stops beating
This warrior served his brothers with honor
No more sacrifice and no more pain
Their brother is gone
Warriors bow their heads
Tears of anguish shared
Remembrance
This soldier fought with all his will
To win a war
That he never really understood
A mother and father at home are waiting