As the days slip to weeks and the weeks to months, life can really pass quickly once an individual has a routine. Such has been my life recently here in Germany. I have finally settled into a work routine. At first the language and culture here seemed foreign on a minute-by-minute basis. It now only seems foreign a couple times a day. Even though I do not speak much German yet, hearing the language spoken now provides a familiar tone to my ear. It took a long time to find comfort despite not knowing what locals were conversing about at a place as mundane as a grocery store. To this day I often get that “deer in the headlights” look when a local hastily asks me a question in German. However, I seem to manage appropriately with my very limited knowledge of the language. By contrast, when I ask locals in their native tongue if they speak English, they always seem to reply “Yes, a little bit.” Then they proceed to speak nearly flawless English. With roughly 40,000 other Americans in the surrounding area, the English language in this region is prevalent. In my one-year advanced residency program I spend most of the time providing dentistry for soldiers’ spouses, their children, and retirees. I also frequently spend time in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Landstuhl Hospital. It is the largest American hospital outside of the United States. Providing treatment for the evacuated soldiers as a member of the Landstuhl maxillofacial trauma team can be challenging. Every soldier who is medically evacuated from Iraq, Afghanistan or Bosnia is processed through this hospital. I have met soldiers from all over the United States, including a Minnesota National Guard soldier. Every injury and casualty statistic that is reported in the news has a personal story behind the headline. As in all previous wars, this war has many valiant stories of survival. I can think of one in particular that I’d like to share. A soldier whom I personally treated during my maxillofacial trauma rotation spoke of his survival from a helicopter collision. He saw another helicopter rising beneath him at an alarming rate. It collided against his chopper. The craft he was riding in continued to spin and spin until it crashed into the ground with horrific force. After the impact he felt fortunate to survive, even if he had many broken bones. However his tribulation was not yet over. He heard enemy fire entering the fuselage. Since his weapon was bent and grossly disabled by the crash, it was useless in his defense. Instead he “borrowed” a pistol from a fallen comrade. He fired with a partially functioning hand and hobbled to the safety of a nearby hut. A rescue team saved him a short time later. Not all soldiers come to Germany because they are injured. Some soldiers come as part of the military’s rest and relaxation program. Soldiers who serve in Iraq are allowed 15 days of vacation and can choose where to spend their time. I can not blame soldiers for coming to Germany for relaxation. I have managed to find some relaxation and vacation opportunities in Europe as well. Look for some of my travel stories in an upcoming Tri-County News issue.
