A combat experience

I recently had an oh shit moment during a reenactment is west central indiana. My unit was placed on the left side of the line and we were ordered to advance. Our objective was an earthern fortification about 150 yards to the front. It was relatively easy-enough to take by the looks of it. Only one cannon visible and sparsely supported by infantry. Shortly after our artillery opened fire we moved forward at a slow deliberate pace. Once within about 100 yards the units to our right began to receive a heavy fire from the infantry in the fort. The left side of the line picked up the pace of the advance which began to stall do the the units on the right and center of the line losing men. We regained our composure and began moving forward again. It seemed as though we were not even noticed. Once within about 25 yards i noticed something very ominous, there were dozens of tiny holes in the fort wall. Sticking out from each hole was the barrels of the rifles from the men inside. In a moment there were about 30 little blue hats and rifles on the top of the fort taking aim at us, it was at this point I wondered if I would have had the courage to continue on as my forefathers had. I felt an overwhelming desire to turn and get away or even just to lay down. But I kept on. As I continued it seemed like they were jsut waiting for us. At about 20 yards I lokked up again, and my eyes locked with a blue clad federal trooper who had a dead aim on me. He pulled the trigger and I knew I would have been dead. I am a tremendous dork, stuck witha strange fascination of the men that liked and fought in a war that took place 140 plus years ago. So whenever I can I put on a wool uniform and go "fight" the war between the states for people to come see. It's mostly cheesy, but everyonce in a while you get sucked in, caught up in the thing. This was one of those times. I can't explain it, but I feel like I'm doing what I should be doing when I'm out there. When the grey coat goes on, I get to be somebody else. Maybe even somebody I once was. Maybe.

I passed!!!

Well, the results are in. I passed my final. I didn't score as highly as I had hoped, but I didn't study for it either. Got an 82.6% purely from memory. Next step...National Registry. Yay!!!! Yay!!!

It's Over!!!!!

Well today was the final, last, not going no more, day of class. Our written final was today. 200 multiple choice questions and 20 EKG strip interpretations. I feel pretty good about this one. I guess becuase in reality, either way, I don't have to go back to class. I do have some clinicals and some precepting to get done. So it all down yet, but at least I get my Mondays and Thursdays back. Strange thing is after it was over, nobody wanted to leave. We started off with 14 and there are 11 of us left to try to get registry done so we can go out there and deliver the best curbside care anywhere. I feel proud of myself, proud of my family for sticking with me through this, and proud of my 10 peers who have sat through boring lectures, hours of workbook homework, and months of nervous worry and anticipation. I feel sad because these 10 folks have become a second family to me. We spent at least 16 hours a week together, had lunch together, stuck each other with needles, tortured and swore at each other. My friends Nate, Kris, Mark and Mark, Chino, Tina, Tiffany, Kathy, Meagan, and Jodi. I will undoubtedly hold a special place in my heart for these folks. I typical Paramedic class loses 50% either during or immediately after cardiology. We lost 1 person. I really hope that we are all able to at least keep track of each other as the years go by, but I know that will not be. More stuff as it developes. This was supposed to be my last post, but then again I still a little left to do. So I guess it'll go on for a little while yet. See you on the street.