Baghdad ER on HBO

[Rob]

If any of you have access to HBO, this documentary is a must see. It's something that I wish they would show on national TV, but for obvious reasons, it probably wouldn't be allowed.

As we go through our daily lives here in the States, we read about the war in the Middle East or We see occasional "doctored" glimpses of it on TV. However, as is human nature, we follow the more comfortable feeling of "out of sight, out of mind."

This documentary is raw, uncut footage. It will turn your stomach, grab your heart, and torture your emotions.

It is a real-life account of what happens during war and what medical personnel see, here and endure within the Emergency Room as soldiers, or what's left of them, are rushed in for help.

Below are details and a link to this HBO special:
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BAGHDAD ER allows viewers to experience the physical and emotional toll of war by capturing soldiers and care providers in personal moments amidst intense crises inside the 86th Combat Support Hospital. Located in Baghdad's Green Zone, the facility was formerly the site of an elite medical center for Saddam Hussein's supporters. Thanks in part to the skill and dedication of trauma center teams like the one depicted in the film, wounded troops in Iraq have a 90 percent chance of survival - the highest rate of war survivors in U.S. history. The selflessness and dedication of those caring for wounded Americans and Iraqis stands in sharp contrast with the chaos of war.

"This is hard-core, raw, uncut trauma. Day after day, every day," says Specialist Saidet Lanier, an operating room nurse. "Even if you're lucky enough not to go home with war wounds on the outside, if you're not equipped with coping skills, you'll definitely have them on the inside."

Link to Synopsis and viewing schedule:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/baghdader/index.html

[RC135_Tx]

Ah, yes. Raw, shocking, and, I'm sure, educational for some.

What I'd REALLY!!! like to see is proper coverage of the massive improvements in the Iraqi quality of life that are occurring with the removal of the cowardly thugs that raped that country for decades.

Not that I have an opinion.

[phrogs]

I wish the news crews were there when I had to sit spinning in the LZ for 30 minutes with wounded on board waiting to get them off nothing serious but it was just the point

[UB2 SLOW]

Unfortunatly I was the first paitant at that hospital. It used to be Saddams personal hospital. It is located in the Green Zone. I helped get the hospital up and running when the 28th CSH was there. I think the 31st CSH took their place. I got a nice splice on the back of my head and I needed stitches. I went down there to have them take a look at it. They took some of the pieces that where still in my head out and gave me some stitches. They werent officialy open for business yet. They put the medical information on an arabic piece of paper for a medical record. They officially opened up for business the next day and unfortunatly have had too much business. I wish I could find the doctor who took the butt chewing for seeing me. He got chewed out for fixing me up before they had permision from higher HQ. I couldnt figure that one out.

[asby69]

I agree that it should be shown on national TV!! Another show/special I seen on, I think Discovery Health Channel?!!?, was a documentary of the CSH at LSA Anaconda (Balad) Iraq. I was stationed at a FOB close to LSAA during my deployment. I visited there several times. One time I had to visit I wished that I hadn't had to. I lost a squad member and close friend during a combat patrol (12 days prior to our scheduled return home) and went there to see him and to load him up for his plane ride home. Other members of the HMMWV crew sustained major injuries and are still in rehab today.
I know that the medical staff at LSAA did all they could for my friend and should be commended on saving as many people as they do. I think of him and his family every day. Don't ever forget our brothers and sisters in country nor their families at home. Pray for them daily.

If any of you have access to HBO, this documentary is a must see. It's something that I wish they would show on national TV, but for obvious reasons, it probably wouldn't be allowed.

As we go through our daily lives here in the States, we read about the war in the Middle East or We see occasional "doctored" glimpses of it on TV. However, as is human nature, we follow the more comfortable feeling of "out of sight, out of mind."

This documentary is raw, uncut footage. It will turn your stomach, grab your heart, and torture your emotions.

It is a real-life account of what happens during war and what medical personnel see, here and endure within the Emergency Room as soldiers, or what's left of them, are rushed in for help.

Below are details and a link to this HBO special:
---------------------------------------------------
BAGHDAD ER allows viewers to experience the physical and emotional toll of war by capturing soldiers and care providers in personal moments amidst intense crises inside the 86th Combat Support Hospital. Located in Baghdad's Green Zone, the facility was formerly the site of an elite medical center for Saddam Hussein's supporters. Thanks in part to the skill and dedication of trauma center teams like the one depicted in the film, wounded troops in Iraq have a 90 percent chance of survival - the highest rate of war survivors in U.S. history. The selflessness and dedication of those caring for wounded Americans and Iraqis stands in sharp contrast with the chaos of war.

"This is hard-core, raw, uncut trauma. Day after day, every day," says Specialist Saidet Lanier, an operating room nurse. "Even if you're lucky enough not to go home with war wounds on the outside, if you're not equipped with coping skills, you'll definitely have them on the inside."

Link to Synopsis and viewing schedule:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/baghdader/index.html