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Michael Baker
It is with deep regret that I have to miss the reunion. I had for once set everything up in advance, made reservations, had my office on board, but life happens while you are making other plans.
So a bnef message to all my classmates to close a bit of the gap.
I made 3 turning point decisions in life that made me who I am today. So bear with me as I share them.
1. I went to med school, trained as a surgeon, and have had a great career. Love every minute of my work, but now winding down. I have been a general surgeon and trauma surgeon for 40 years. Leave on your own terms as a winner.
2. Eventually I met someone special, got married, and had kids. My wife passed away and I have been both mom and dad for a decade, so I cut back my work schedule and devoted myself to them. My 3 boys into/through college, and my teen daughter still at home. Would not trade this for anything. I am very proud of my kids.
3. Despite protesting the Vietnam War-- as I saw it, bad decision and poorly executed, and lots of lies to the people about body counts, etc-- I decided that I had to serve my country and could care for those who chose to lay it on the line. I accepted a commission in the Navy, which I had been told was short of surgical talent at that time. This was after med school, surgical training, and fellowship. My planned 2 years became a total of 30 in the uniform of my country as a Naval Officer. I had a career that was quite odd but better than just being a doctor, serving (in my spare time) as a Riverine Warfare Officer, combat tour in Saudi/Kuwait with the Marines, traveling for training and exercises to Korea, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Latvia, Iceland, Egypt -- and an assignment to US Strategic Command, then working on war plans and humanitarian missions while always teaching combat casualty care (my real specialty). I retired as a Rear Admiral, received 3 Legion of Merit awards and several others, earned a combat action ribbon, etc. Most important were the lessons of life that I would not have learned in my medical/surgical stovepipe and certainly not in the doctor's loun ge.
1. The military is the ultimate melting pot of democracy. Maybe a pressue cooker. You meet people of every background and skill set. It changes your world view, as many come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
2. Teamwork is crucial. On deployments, I realized everyone was part of the success of the mission - and they protected me as well as enabled me to do my job.
3. Take care of everyone around you. I have brought this to my surgical practice and operating room. When I took my kids on rounds on weekends, they always asked why I stopped and talked to all the security guards, nurses, and janitors and blood draw techs, and knew their names. I explained that I could not do my job unless they did theirs, and I needed them to know I appreciated them for what they did.
4. Be open to other people's thoughts and opinions. We all come from a different background and have a different perspective. If you disagree, find common ground to work it out.
Putting on the uniform of my country and learning these and other lessons made me a different (and much better) person. My mantra revolves around the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment which I teach to my kids along with the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis - "always faithful."
We are all fortunate to have grown up in this country where there is freedom of speech, the rule of law, and opportunity for education and advancement. I hope many of us can put country before other things so we can preserve the values and liberties for our children and grandchildren.
Please enjoy the weekend and reminisce about times good and bad, and reflect on all your have done for your family, community, etc. Life is good.
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