Turns out this is the same certificate even retiring generals receive.

Photos:

As for it aiding my VA registration dilemma, it sadly didn’t help at all.

The packet also contained something I didn’t expect to receive. Inside was a bright red folder with two certificates enclosed, one from the Marine Corps and one from President Bush.

Into this:

It took 22 days from start to finish.

In September I signed up for an EMT-Basic class. The class is taught by Boston EMS‘s Captain Scarna. The class is 150-hours, and meets every Tuesday & Thursday, and every other Saturday. When I finally graduate next month, I will be eligible for the state certification and licensing examination.

EMT’s provide life-saving medical care at the scene of medical emergencies and during the ambulance transport of ill or injured patients to the hospital emergency room. EMT course training prepares students for the evaluation and treatment of various medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, stroke, poisoning, burns, fractured bones, obstructed airways, childbirth, and severe bleeding. – Fall 2007 Brochure

(photo:Philly40)

Due to its high complexity, free vascularized fibular grafting for the hip is performed at only a few medical centers throughout the country by fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Surgeons, who are highly experienced with this procedure. Vascularized fibular grafting involves removal of dead bone from the “ball” of the hip that has poor or no blood supply and replacing it with a healthy, vascularized (blood-rich) bone from the lower leg, the fibula. A portion of the fibula (the smaller bone in the lower leg) is removed with its own blood vessels and then inserted into the “ball” of the hip. With use of a microscope, the blood vessels of the fibula are then attached to the blood vessels around the hip to restore blood flow to the “ball.”

The major advantage of a vascularized bone graft is that the bone placed into the hip is alive. This means an immediate blood supply along with living bone is inserted where dead bone was removed. Since the fibula bone graft becomes a strong living strut to help support the “ball” from collapse, a much larger amount of dead bone can be removed allowing for a better decompression and for improved ability to restore blood flow to the femoral head during the healing process. The fibula bone graft then fuses to the surrounding bone within the femoral head.

After vascularized fibular grafting surgery, the patient remains in the hospital for a few days and is typically discharged to home. Most importantly, protected weight-bearing must be maintained with the use of crutches or a walker for six months after surgery. No weight is allowed on the operated hip for the initial six weeks, and then gradual partial weight on the hip is permitted over the ensuing months. The aid of crutches is necessary for a total of six months to protect the hip from collapse as the bone graft heals. After six months of protecting the hip, full weight on the hip is allowed. To completely insure the success of surgery and proper healing, certain activities, such as running or sports, are on hold for about a year.

- From Avascular Necrosis Strikes Young Adults

(H/T to Lex)
New York, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2001) — Rescue workers conduct search and rescue attempts, descending deep into the rubble of the World Trade Center. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson.