By Scott Dickson, DO, MBA, Regional Medical Director, Northeast,
Co-Chair Veteran Resource Group
Honoring Veterans for their Service and Sacrifice
Reflecting on this Veteran’s Day holiday, I wanted to take a moment to thank and honor all of our veterans who have served with honor and distinction in service to this great nation. As a co-chair of the Veteran Resource Group at TeamHealth, I have the distinct pleasure to interact and work with a variety of individuals who have served, have family members who served or those who just want to support our community. On a personal level, I have spent some time reflecting on my own experiences, not only as a veteran, but also as the son of a veteran and as a father to an active-duty service member.
My Military Journey
When I was applying to medical school, I contemporaneously applied for and received a Health Professions Scholarship for medical school and commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Spending summers during medical school in various training locations and then after completing my Emergency Medicine residency, I had the opportunity to serve at Andrew’s Air Force Base in Maryland. While there, a number of unique experiences made lasting impressions that still impress upon me today the honor and pride in being a veteran. I have been aboard Air Force One, and I’ve attended a State of the Union Address. Being deployed overseas during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, I forged bonds and memories that still give me pause today in remembering those with whom I served and the experiences we shared.
A Legacy of Service across Generations
My father is a proud, 82-year-old veteran of the U.S. Navy, who served during the Vietnam Era. He has always spoke very highly of his time in the Navy even during a period when service was not well supported or respected. Despite that, his love for this country and the Armed Services, particularly the Navy, has never waned. With his grandson, my oldest son, now in his senior year at the U.S. Naval Academy, I can further see the great pride in this tradition of service being carried on by the next generation in our
family.
Celebrating Tradition on the U.S.S. Constitution
This past October, I had the opportunity to travel to Boston with my father to participate in an under-way sailing on the U.S.S. Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides” in celebration of the ship’s 227th birthday. The U.S.S. Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship and considered America’s Ship of State. It is currently the only ship in the United States Navy with a confirmed victory in a sea battle. In celebration of its birthday, the U.S.S Constitution sailed through the Boston Harbor to Fort Independence on Castle Island, celebrating with a 21-gun salute and then a subsequent 17-gun salute as it passed the shipyard where it was originally built.
A close friend of mine, a Senior Chief in the Navy, invited both myself and my father to join him on the sailing. So, on a beautiful sunny day in October, my father and I, along with about 100 other guests and about 80 crew members, went underway on arguably the most important and recognized ship in the U.S. Navy. For weeks leading up to this event, my father expressed his excitement and anticipation for this experience. As an old Navy veteran, this was literally his dream come true. For a few hours, he was back in his 20s reliving some of his fondest memories. To further highlight this day for him, the captain of the ship and senior officer pulled my father aside and presented him with a commemorative pin and a special medallion to honor this day and thank him for his service to our nation. As his son, it was an experience and a memory that I am forever grateful to have witnessed. His sheer joy and pride during this moment was extremely impactful upon me as I reflect on the meaning of this Veteran’s Day.
Veteran Resources at TeamHealth
Please take a moment to thank a veteran on this special day with a few kind words or a simple handshake. It doesn’t take much to show your appreciation and make a significant impact upon our veterans. They sacrificed for us in so many ways. Giving back to those who served with a simple show of gratitude is as easy as it is profound.
At TeamHealth, our Veteran Resource Group provides invaluable support and connection for those who have served, their families, and all those who champion the Veteran community. These resources are essential for honoring the sacrifices and contributions made by our Veteran community members.