Blood, Tears, and IV's: A Memoir of a Combat Medic in Operation Iraqi Freedom

I had the honor of having SSG Lonsdale as my Drill Sergeant in AIT. Combat Medic school is to say the least intense. the entire time i must admit that i underestimated SSG Lonsdale. it wasn't until i read her book and actually had the chance to work with her one on one in San Antonio that i realized that she expected so much of us not because of some unrealistic desire to humiliate our group, but instead to prepare us for what she herself had experienced. now I am in Iraq, treating iraqi children, praying every moment i'm on the road that an IED doesn't go off, and everytime one does i know that deep down inside i am ready to do my job. i owe SSG Lonsdale so much because of the training she gave me back in San Antonio, but more importantly at least a dozen soldier's and countless Iraqi's owe her inderectly for the professionalism she brings to her job. If any person out there, Military or civillian want's to truly understand the life and times of the modern day combat medic read this book. if you want to get a new perspective on war, read this book. even if you do not support the war i reccommend this book because it show's the humanity of our jobs as combat healer's.

SGT Lonsdale captures the feel we had for Kirkuk perfectly, from the point of view of Charlie Med. July 4th was not the best way day to deploy (especially with HeinekenFest occuring that upcoming weekend), but SGT Lonsdale, I, and twelve or so others from our unit touched down that day. Many things I had forgotten were brought back in detail upon reading her account, not the least of which were details surrounding Ivory's and Ski's deaths. Other units, particularly Division-size elements, typically get the recognition and the glory; the 501st FSC (now the 173rd SB) accomplished monumental tasks that dwarfed those assigned to larger and better-equipped units. SGT Lonsdale covers several memorable events, and tells them in a poignant way, remembering details most (like myself) would not.

Written from the heart, and without pretense, this short, and often sad book, will touch you.

This book was a great look into the mind of the bravest of the brave.

I had known about this book for several months, but had put off reading it for personal reasons. Tonight I finally opened it, I read the whole book in just a few hours. It is a quick but detailed book on Elissa's personal journey as a medic in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Army). She takes you though the anxity of first arriving in a strange land in the midst of a war, through her "first" times experincing everything as as a soldier and a medic in war. It Truly will open your eyes to the real passions and feelings of the brave American service men and women who eprience this daily. This is far more enlighenting than any reporter could really understand. Pick this up as a quick read, and it will change the way you feel toward those in uniform.