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Memoirs of a Combat Medic

SSG Elissa Lonsdale’s Story of Her Tour in Iraq

During my service in the US Army, my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was 91 B (now 91 W), otherwise known as a Combat Medic. I served in Operation Desert Storm, and also pulled TDY (temporary duty) at a Croatian refugee camp.

Rob in Bosnia

My service as a Combat Medic had a greater impact on me than any other event or period in my life — a profound impact on who I am today, and how I view and treat the world.

12 years removed from active duty, I wish more than anything I had thought to journal my experiences. I have so many stories and memories from that time, but most of the names and specific details are all but lost to me now.

I remember the looks of awe in the kids’ eyes that—only in America—could a 23-year old kid be a doctor (I didn’t know how to communicate and translate the differences between being a ‘medic’ and ‘doctor’…all they knew was that I wore the Red Cross on my sleeve, and I’m the one who gave them shots, stitched their wounds, applied bandages, and tried to make them feel better…in their word, a doktor).

Thankfully, SSG Elissa M. Lonsdale thought to journal her time as a Combat Medic while serving in Iraq.

She has turned her journal into a book: Blood, Tears and IV’s: Memoirs of a U.S. Army Medic in Operation Iraqi Freedom, available now:

“While Elissa was deployed, her commander wrote me a letter to inform me how well she was doing,” Fred [Elissa's father] said. “He also told me that she was the only medic on a convoy when they were attacked, and said she did an outstanding job. That meant so much to me.”

The convoy Fred is talking about was ambushed on Elissa’s 25th birthday.

Three Soldiers, and friends of Elissa’s, were injured during the attack. Elissa had to move fast to treat them.

She recounts the aftermath of the attack in her book:

“With overwhelming emotion and adrenaline, I stood there and watched the birds lift off. It was amazing. I knew those were my buddies and my comrades up there, and that they were going to be okay. The feeling of knowing I accomplished my job under these circumstances was incredible.”

I just ordered my copy today—I’ll post a review when I finish it.

***
HAT TIP: Go Jack Army

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Tuesday, June 21st, 2005 | Trackback |

24 Responses to “Memoirs of a Combat Medic”

[comment deleted by Robbie --- one of my few rules of this blog is do not denigrate the men and women of our military. And this applies equally to Elissa M Lonsdale, an American hero.]

Left by Anonymous on July 30th, 2005 at 5:58 am

[comment deleted: same reason as above. Bunch of anonymous cowards...]

Left by Anonymous on December 27th, 2005 at 4:51 pm

This is Elissa Lonsdale. I would appreciate no one leaving anymore obscene, childish, immature comments about me. If you have comments to say to me directly feel free to email me. But leave the childish comments out of my book-related websites. Thanks.
elissa_medic@hotmail.com

Left by Elissa Lonsdale on December 29th, 2005 at 4:16 pm

Hi. As I stated my name is John. I just swore myself into the U.S. Army, and of all things, after reviewing endless jobs, chose to be a Combat Medic, 91W. I want to serve my Country and help people at the same time and it seemed like the best option. I was just wondering if you could maybe share what its like as a soldier responsible for the well being of so many others; I know i can do a good job, I just worry often about my ability under stress. How hard is the training? Do other soldiers respect you?

Thanks

Left by John Grace on January 10th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

This book sucks! I have read way better books then that! My friend Jose sent me to this page and I have to say, you need a lot of work if you want to write books. Good luck! oH and thanks for serving our country!

~G

Left by Gwen on March 22nd, 2006 at 12:46 pm

Thanks a lot Gwen. I appreciate your honesty becuase frankly not everyone is going to like ‘every’ book. This book is intended for mature readers only. I was curious…what is it that you do for a living besides critisize people? I am not an author; I am a soldier. I do not write books for a living. This was a one time thing mostly to help cure what is called (and known by many veterans of this war) Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I am cured now becuase of this book that I was fortunate enough to have published. You should look around and take a good look at the war we are in. Have you been there yet? Have you seen what I have? If you have, you should also write a book. I promise not to critisize it. And “Oh by the way, thankyou for serving our country?” i don’t need it from people like you. Thanks anyway.

Left by Elissa Lonsdale on March 31st, 2006 at 2:00 am

I would have to disagree with Gwen. I have read the book from front to back and I found it to be very touching. It had quite a few tear jerkers in some parts of the book. I am amaze at how you are able to go through some events that I may never ever get to experience in this life time. You are a very brave woman and this nation is lucky to have people (like yourself) who have enough courage to go to a foreign country and fight for our Country and to protect its freedom! I am ver proud of our military and know that they will there for America in its time of need! Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.

Left by Anonymous on April 27th, 2006 at 2:14 am

[comment deleted by Robbie: if you want to attack someone on here --- claiming that you know them and have met them --- and accuse them of being a "coward", then the least you can do is have the balls to post non-anonymously.]

Left by Anonymous on May 14th, 2006 at 6:27 pm

Elissa,
I haven’t read your book yet, but I am eager to do so and learn about your experiences in a medic in an airborne unit in Iraq. I am very supportive of our soldiers, but am undecided about our strategy in the War on Terrorism. I was wondering if you offer some perspective on what you think about the GWOT, especially considering your role as a medic, a paratrooper, and a female soldier.
Thanks.

Left by anonymous on May 25th, 2006 at 7:26 pm

Hi Elissa,

I read your book and really appreciate that insight that you have given me as a medic in the Iraqi War. No one can understand what goes on over there unless they have experienced it first hand. Sometimes I feel that people are forgetting what is going on. Like Memorial Day, people take it as a “party” day, a day off work, instead of reflecting on its true meaning.

Your book is a winner.

Left by Nicole Eades on May 30th, 2006 at 11:36 am

Rock on Elissa! Glad that writing the book has helped with the PTSS, I have seen how it has affected and effected peoples lives. I have been involved with healthcare for 20 years, have seen bad things but in all my years of healthcare will never touch what you have been through. God bless you and yours. A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU AND THE OTHER SOLDIERS HAVE SACRIFICED. WE ALL OWE OUR FREEDOM AND PRIVLEGES TO OUR ARMED SERVICES.

Left by Big Sis on October 5th, 2006 at 1:39 pm

I would just like to say, Being one of the soldiers she is training. The now, Drill Sergeant Lonsdale is one of the most amazing soldiers I have yet to come accross in my military career. She is very deticated to everything she does; Not only has she saved lives in the sandbox, but she is now teaching us Soldier Medics on how to do the same, and as a Drill Sergeant, being a parent to all of her trainee-medics. She is doing an amazing job at it as well. I, as well as many of my fellow comrads all look up to her as a mentor; and personally I hope to be half the soldier she is.

Left by Anonymous on December 14th, 2006 at 12:02 am

Elissa,
I really enjoyed your book. As a parmedic, I see a lot of things on a daily basis that nothing can prepare you for. They cannot compare to the things that you have experienced. I think that every soldier should read your book before being deployed to give them an idea of what to expect. Although nothing can really prepare you for your first trauma, your first death, or your first injured child. It takes a special person to be able to deal with tragedy on a regular basis. The average person thinks we have a twisted sense of humor or that we are just cold hearted, but in actuality, that is how we cope. Most people don’t realize that we feel pain and frustration with every call. Unlike most, we have to do our crying on the inside, because if we show every emotion, we cannot do our jobs. “Hats off” to you for finding a way to cope with the sadness that your job brings.

Jennifer Norton NREMT-P

Left by Anonymous on December 15th, 2006 at 7:21 pm

Hey did you write in your book about the time you were helping those Korean nationals who where in that wreck? And you kept saying how gross and disgusting it was even after MAJ (P) Leong told you never to say that kind of thing in front of a patient. Oh he is a LTC now by the way.
I believe that you were trying to clean off a piece of skin that was partially avulsed from his scalp. Ah, fun times in Kirkuk.

Left by Baker on March 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pm

Hey Elissa!
I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am! I am disgusted to see what childish comments have been posted here. Your book is about your experiences and perpespectives while serving in Iraq and for anyone to attempt to to bash, discredit or question it makes me sick. Like you said, I would like to know what these people do on a day to day basis to even feel the right to make ANY negative comment at all. Are you serious?!?! It takes a special kind of person to do what we do, don’t even waste you time explaining. If they don’t get it, they just don’t get it! Anyway, keep up the great work! Tina Hall

Left by tina on April 16th, 2007 at 6:58 am

Hey,

I haven’t read your book yet…How are you? It’s been a little while since we last saw eachother in class. I never got to talk to you before you left :(

don’t be a stranger

Left by Bruno on April 21st, 2007 at 12:07 am

Elissa congratulations on the book,. We havent spoke in years, since we were both at Bragg. I havent gotten a chance to read the book yet, Im sure it is great. Email me if you get this, Id love to talk to you again. Jason
bruschidisciple54@yahoo.com

Left by Jason Richards on April 24th, 2007 at 9:18 am

SSG Lonsdale,

I just stumbled on this page while searching for something else. My mom sent me a copy of your book a few months ago and I read it in one night. I was a medic with the 1-125th IN, 04-05. I’ve never been able to keep a journal, though I’ve tried. I didn’t have a lot of contact with other medics during my tour and after only with cherries. Reading your book, identifying with your experiences, was very healing for me and comforting in a way. Thanks for sharing.

Left by Becky on May 23rd, 2007 at 11:47 pm

DS Lonsdale, email me if you get a chance please. Im pretty sure you still remember me since ive only been out of Delta Co for maybe 4 months. colin.a.campbell@us.army.mil

Left by Colin Campbell on July 24th, 2007 at 10:48 pm

SSG Lonsdale, just finished your book and I agree it helps those suffering from PTSD. Nice job of writing about your expierences that will also help other medics who serve. Welcome Home and best wishes in your career. I was a medic in Vietnam 1968-1969 with a Recon Platoon in the 9th Infantry.

Left by Kerry "Doc" Pardue on January 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Dear SSG Lonsdale,

I have read your book and was touched by your candid and revealing memoir of your experiences in Iraq. It was I must say it is very cleansing to write out your feelings as this is what I try to do to keep myself healthy.
It seems that not everyone sees the courage and sacrifice you and other brave soldiers go through every day to make sure we are all safe. I greatly admire your courage and strength and more, that you help others to become more like you as a drill sergeant.

Lisa

Left by Lisa on March 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Hello ssg Elissa ,
I bought your book becuase of the shortness (since i had a report on it) at first but after reading it ive realized the amount of scrafice that the young men and women who serve actually give and i apriciate every one of them and what the do to protcect us and espacially those who payed the ultimate price.

Left by Derrick on April 28th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

I read this book while at Ft. Sam where Ssgt. Lonesdale was my drill sgt. in the prior service plt. She is an excellent soldier and role model. Some say her book sucks and they have read better well you were not there those of us who have been there write just what we feel and she told it the only way she could… from her heart. So Lonie if you read this you may contact me I would love to ship you my copy so it could be signed. devildog778@yahoo.com Spc. Fleming

Left by Heath on July 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm

SSG Lonesdale,

I left Delta in October 2006 straight to Iraq. I enjoyed the book and your perspective .good luck in your future endeavors.

Left by joe byrnes on September 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

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