“We would like to honor any veterans by allowing them to disembark first.”
Getting off the boat ahead of the disabled, elderly, and parents-with-small-children felt awkward. But it was Veterans Day. And I had raised my hand when the guide asked if there were any veterans on board.
Exiting, I received nods, smiles, and a few “Thank you for your service” expressions of gratitude.
Back in 1988 I spent only a few hours in Hawaii, dispatched as a Flight Surgeon from the USS Enterprise. But this time, attending the 2012 AMA meeting in Honolulu, I was a tourist.
As I walked along the USS Arizona memorial – a solemn white barge straddling the sunken warship – I continued to feel glancing stares, looks of admiration, and nods of gracious appreciation.
Eventually I found a large marble wall upon which was inscribed the names of the men whose remains were still entombed in the decaying vessel, still leaking fuel known as “black tears.”
I suddenly began to feel the weight of sadness and wanted to find a way to express my feelings… someone I could thank.
Then I saw my name on the wall.
J.P. Murphy died on that ship, in that attack on December 7, 1941, in the line of duty, in service to my country, to preserve my freedom, my way of life, my hope, my future, my children’s future. His remains are entombed in the silent hulk of metal decaying in the harbor just a measure beneath where I stood.
My words could not transit the clear water between my namesake and me. But I did leave a salty tear on the marble floor in front of the wall that bares the name he and I share.
As a physician I have treated many veterans – while on active duty, during medical school, on rotations at the VA hospital, and as a pain specialist in private practice. Whenever I remember to thank a veteran for his or her service, they usually appear a bit uncomfortable with the personal accolades. Most will segue to a story about someone they knew who gave more.
I hope this Veterans Day will inspire you to thank every veteran. When you do, notice that most will shy away, knowing there are many names on many walls for many heroes like J.P. Murphy who gave more, gave all.
– J.P. Murphy
November 11, 2013
Confluential Truth 
Thanks You Pat for your Service. For all the people who served Happy Veterans Day
You are very kind, Rhonda. My role was minuscule compared to others. Thanks.
I’ve been there and witnessed the “black tears” flowing for myself. It is indeed a somber experience. My late grandfather, Ralph Johnson, also served in WWII in the Pacific islands as a gunner. He told me some incredible stories. I too, am so proud and appreciative of all of those who have served and fought bravely for our freedom and liberty. Thank you to all veterans for your service, including you, Dr. Murphy!
I am constantly amazed when I hear stories like the kind your grandfather told you. This stuff really happened. There is so much history which will soon be lost as these heroes go on to their final reward. I hope you wrote down some of those stories.
We are rapidly seeing the loss of the greatest generation, those who served and fought in the Second World War. My father, a locomotive engineer who served in a railroad battalion, died 10 years ago. We’ll soon have fewer than 1,000,000 WWII veterans, out of over 16,000,000 citizen-soldiers. Some of my greatest memories from the ER are when I’ve asked these old veterans to tell their story about the war. They are often incredible, and we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all of our veterans. Thanks for helping us remember and say thanks.
Thank you for your compelling remarks. We are all grateful to the WWII vets and, of course, your father.
During the year since you posted this deeply moving remembrance, we have seen both efforts to right the wrong of VA scandals, and the revealing of our failures to protect and support returning soldiers and sailors from present wars. Let us remember daily these precious lives, and how much we owe to them. What is provided for them is not charity, it is indeed the very least that we can do. If we mean it when we say “Thank you for your service,” we will move heaven and earth to guarantee to veterans the good life that they fought for us to have.