THE PUBLIC MIND: DOCTOR MISSES POINT OF SERVICE IN RESERVES

To the Editor:

I read your article and saw the KFVS-12 TV clip on a local doctor who was complaining about the alleged unfairness in having to leave his stepchildren and second wife in order to honor his military commitment to his country, a duty for which he has, over the years, been handsomely paid. The doctor painted himself as responding to some higher calling. He missed his point.

Crisis normally brings out the worst and best in mankind. Your article and the TV broadcast accentuated the worst and ignored the best of this unfolding drama. Although this fellow's story was more splashy, the more genuine and compelling story involved those persons who have in the midst of this ordeal stood up to be counted without complaint.

The truly brave and honorable men and women have been the thousands of citizen-reservists across this land who have silently and steadfastly heeded their nation's call and who have, without fanfare, dispute or appeal, left their families, friends, financial obligations and their jobs, businesses and professional practices to discharge the obligations voluntarily undertaken when they put on a uniform and pledged to serve their country.

Included amongst these humble heroes is a prominent local physician, Dr. Michael Brown, M.D., a member of one of the navy's Fleet Hospitals, who quietly and with dignity on January 7, 1991, left his family, home and private practice to go to the Persian Gulf to save the lives of Americans. Unfortunately, Dr. Brown and many others like him are the forgotten ones while, in reality, they and their families are the ones who are truly sacrificing their all for this country. These are the people who deserve the notoriety and publicity not the prima donnas who have accepted rank, privilege and pay, benefits and allowances for years and who now cry "foul" when repayment is required.

Years ago our media would have disregarded the story of the protesting doctor in favor of the stories of the other reservists who have risked everything for the rest of us. But I guess times and morality have changed.

Luckily for the folks back home, there are countless real American patriots who are still willing to give their last full measure of devotion. God help us if their kind ceases to exist and all we get are excuses when called to duty.

To Dr. Brown, the members of the Fleet Hospital, the Seabees, other reservists recalled to active duty and their families who are gallantly paying the price for freedom, our hearts and souls go out to them with great pride, admiration and respect for their selfless sacrifice and service. I am proud to serve with them. Godspeed their safe return!

CDR Kenneth C. McManaman,

JAGC, USNR

Cape Girardeau

Editor's note: We appreciate Mr. McManaman's heartfelt sentiments on this matter but are compelled to respond to his comments on news coverage. The article is just one of many published here on the activation of area reservists and the sacrifices they have made. We fail to see how journalistic "morality" has been relaxed by reporting on all aspects of human drama gener~ated by the Persian Gulf crisis.