CigarStone
For once, knowledge is making me poor!
An email from my son-in-law who is currently serving in Egypt......I'm proud of that boy :thumbs:
Dad:
Today I saw the true spirit of the principles that our nation was built upon. A group of about 40 Americans including myself and 6 Fijians drove to the base of Mt Sinai to climb to the summit. It was a picture perfect day. The weather was great, our spirits were high and we were truly enjoying a day in one of the most sacred sights in the world. All of us Americans reached the 7,500 foot summit and enjoyed the view, the serenity and eachothers company. We were all exhausted and eager to begin the climb back down...
When I reached the 6,500 ft level I caught word that the Fijians were still attempting their ascent and that one of them was having some trouble. To me it sounded like he was not overall doing well. It took me another twenty or so minutes to reach his location and I was unfortunately the only medical provider. He was cold, blue and lacked a carotid pulse.....
He had been down for about twenty minutes and I made a decision not to institute any lifesaving measures. It was a very difficult moment...
I called for the Chaplain who was still several hundred feet behind me and we as Americans had to make decisions...
We were completely out of touch with the rest of the world. We had only ourselves and were offered no help from the local Egyptian Nationals. We were in a difficult spot...Myself and three other senior ranking gentleman made the decision to get down the mountain and get communication and find a means of transporting this 280 lb man...
Once I reached the bottom i was in touch with our camp and we were unable to obtain air assets... I sent a litter back up the hill and we continued to look for any type of evacuation means and none were available....
I today witnessed twenty of the finest, young, exhausted Americans carry a 280 lb man down 6000 ft of a rocky, deserted trail, with nothing more than their fortitude, guts, and determination. They NEVER once dropped this gentleman, staggered or questioned whether or not they could make it. They just did.....
It was one of the proudest moments of my life which I will never forget.....
It is amazing to me what a little group of Americans can do when we are in a situation that seems hopeless....
Thanks for listening, I just really needed to vent.
Troy
Dad:
Today I saw the true spirit of the principles that our nation was built upon. A group of about 40 Americans including myself and 6 Fijians drove to the base of Mt Sinai to climb to the summit. It was a picture perfect day. The weather was great, our spirits were high and we were truly enjoying a day in one of the most sacred sights in the world. All of us Americans reached the 7,500 foot summit and enjoyed the view, the serenity and eachothers company. We were all exhausted and eager to begin the climb back down...
When I reached the 6,500 ft level I caught word that the Fijians were still attempting their ascent and that one of them was having some trouble. To me it sounded like he was not overall doing well. It took me another twenty or so minutes to reach his location and I was unfortunately the only medical provider. He was cold, blue and lacked a carotid pulse.....
He had been down for about twenty minutes and I made a decision not to institute any lifesaving measures. It was a very difficult moment...
I called for the Chaplain who was still several hundred feet behind me and we as Americans had to make decisions...
We were completely out of touch with the rest of the world. We had only ourselves and were offered no help from the local Egyptian Nationals. We were in a difficult spot...Myself and three other senior ranking gentleman made the decision to get down the mountain and get communication and find a means of transporting this 280 lb man...
Once I reached the bottom i was in touch with our camp and we were unable to obtain air assets... I sent a litter back up the hill and we continued to look for any type of evacuation means and none were available....
I today witnessed twenty of the finest, young, exhausted Americans carry a 280 lb man down 6000 ft of a rocky, deserted trail, with nothing more than their fortitude, guts, and determination. They NEVER once dropped this gentleman, staggered or questioned whether or not they could make it. They just did.....
It was one of the proudest moments of my life which I will never forget.....
It is amazing to me what a little group of Americans can do when we are in a situation that seems hopeless....
Thanks for listening, I just really needed to vent.
Troy
