In honor of Veteran’s Day, we wanted to recognize our Veterans in Brandermill and their stories.
*This article follows the story of a US Navy Veteran in the Brandermill Community. The interview has been conducted anonymously. *
Rewind back to June of 1969. A senior student of the University of Minnesota is nearing the end of his studies in Occupational Therapy. He was a well-studied student, ready to start his career. The director of his program recognized this and informed the young man of an opportunity that would very well set his future up for success. The US Navy was in search of Occupational Therapists, and they were offering a full commission to those who joined. The young man, no older than 21, accepted the position and began his career in the US Navy Reserves. He was then sworn in as an Ensign (a commissioned officer) and obtained his commission. He completed his fieldwork at the Veteran’s Administration of Minneapolis, where he took the national assessment and upon passing, graduated from the program.
He was then sent to Newport, Rhode Island, to complete 6 weeks of Officer Orientation- here he would learn about his role as an officer and would soon find out where he would be stationed. The month of August approached quickly. The young man reported to the Bethesda Naval Hospital, on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he would serve the first year and a half of his three years in active duty working with patients with mental health needs and physical injuries. The Vietnam war was in full effect. Men were fighting the draft- many fleeing to Canada. Those who were sent to Vietnam often came back to the states with a variety of mental and physical health issues. He worked closely with these military men and women. Some with depression, others schizophrenic or criminally insane. He would help provide therapy services along with psychological and psychiatric assistance. He recalls working with a Senior US senator who had a stroke and was paralyzed on one half of his body and had aphasia which led to communication problems. It was fulfilling for him to help those in need- he felt fortunate to do so.
As an officer, one of his obligations was to take command of the administrative duties at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He would be rotated in and would start his shifts at 4 in the afternoon, manning the floors until 8 the next morning. During that time, he was administratively responsible for anything that may have happened on his shift. There was a Captain who would give orders to the young man while he was away. They were long hours; the young man would make sure things were running smoothly, and report any issues back to the Captain.
He really had to grow up fast. Being the one delivering the news of a passed family member and having to ask permission to perform an autopsy, wasn’t easy. When someone passed away, the mortuary would come and take the body as he assisted in this process. He would console those experiencing that feeling of tragic loss. He had to be tough. He was certainly valiant through the things he saw.
The man was versatile- the latter half of his time in active duty, he was sent to Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois, where he would learn how to train naval corpsmen to serve as occupational and physical therapy assistants. He then returned to Bethesda to begin the training process for the corpsmen.
When his three years had been served, in June of 1972, the man exited active duty and started building his life. As he spent the next 17 years in inactive reserve, he had the opportunity to go to grad school, buy a home, and take his career to higher levels. The feelings of accomplishment in impacting and helping others still remain. This was his story.
The takeaway here is realizing how many different roles there were in the military. It is to recognize those who worked “behind the scenes.” This was a man who rebuilt men and women; helped people through their traumas. To you and all Veterans, we thank you.
