Situation these nurses became pioneers in engineering and preventive medicine. The history of the Army Nurse Core in overseas fears is a story of patriotism and devotion to duty, a story that is usually lost in discussions of military maneuvers and spectacular victories. I suppose it is a quiet story, quiet. But it illustrates Human Capacity for nobility. In world war i, it grew from a meager 400 to a force of more than 21,000 nurses. They served with valor in new and dangerous situations, saving lives and bringing comfort to the sick and wounded. Gentlemen pushing bestowsed the recognition of the country on these soldiers of mercy who do their jobs so well. But some of them never saw the results of their devoted efforts. Between 1917 and 1918, 296 nurses lost their lives in the service of their country. The tradition cometed in world war ii when lit grew to 50,000. Eagerly they came to offer their services in what was to become the most savage struggle in history. They served with distinction in every theater of operation. They followed the first assault troops in north africa. They nursed and sustained the morale of the embattled force on coregador. They improvised wards and cared for the sick and wounded in the jungles of batang. And they brought life and comfort to the allied forces on the bitter battlefields in europe. Nowhere was the story more thrillingly acted out than at the beach head. After the landing, army nurses went ashore and worked dill gently during the pirnt winter 1944. They were there when we needed them. They were there, all right, and took the same beating we did. The angels of enzio. Some figures in the dark desolate winter hell. We knew their job and we knew that we could depend on them. They worked in all sorts of setups and around the clock they kept us in shape. We were all grateful, very grateful. The hospital tents were shelled regularly, but that didnt stop them. They even nursed the enemy pilot who was shot down after bombing the hospital tent area. They served in the true tradition of the corps with courage, skill and devotion. After that came the crane war. The army nurse was there. [ artillery going off ] punch bowl, where there was one army fwhurs, within two weeks there were 57. Before it was over, the corps grew to 5500. They saw duty in cold and win. One wouldnt find this type of clothing along 5th avenue but the nurses werent in korea to put on a fashion show. They were there to care for the seasons men and women. As one war correspondent put it, they serve in beauty. When there was a lull in the fighting, that meant there was a chance to serve the community. These respites were few. There was a greater need for their skill and stamina. As one Commanding Officer wrote, when all hope ends, each face remained compassionate. Today once again, they are answering the call to articles. Our soldiers are fighting in faroff vietnam where the suffering and injuries of war are made even more difficult because of the climate. In their suffering, they wont be ignored. [ sounds of artillery ] the army nurse is there to heal, comfort, and encourage. The army nurse is where the action is in the heat of the tropics, tending to the sick and wounded in tents behind the lines. But tomorrow, these tents could be the lines in the many fluid situation of such a hidden war. They live here, too. This is home. No matter how you spell it, anywhere in the world, under any conditions, the feminine mystique is ever present and along with it, the feminine ritual. The duty in vietnam isnt all tejtsz and baggy fatigues. These soldiers of mercy do get to wear crisp white uniforms. As with all areas in the army, duties vary. Here in another facility in vietnam, the army nurse works side by side with other members of the medical team and their mutual dedication. Acts of healing and preserving human life. The many women of the Army Nurse Corps near the more urban areas take advantage of the off duty time to absorb the culture of the southeast asia. In new york city, a cab ride may not be the fastest way, but it offers a chance to rest a little while getting to one destination. The record they established has become part of our history, a glorious part. Supporting combat troops if h their effort to protect our liberty and freedom is the traditional function of the army nurse. It is not, however, the only contribution she has to offer. The Army Nurse Corps has developed into one of the most comprehensive services in the world. They reflect the highest standards in nursing and patriotism. This did not happy merely with the passing of time or through some fortunate accident. It was a result, rather, of careful collection, intense training and broad experience. It happened because the hume motion of the men and women who have come and continued to come to offer their services to the corps. They Enter Service as registered professional nurses. To this basic requirement, the army adds the intelligencive education and the experience required to make them military nurses. And so they move forward in pursuit of their goals, to help the sick and wounded and to offer hope and cheer in the hearts of men. This beginnings at the Brook Army Medical Center at fort sam houston, texas. Here, the nurse is educated in a variety of military subtsd including military law, courtesies and customs, information on how to assume the responsibilities of an army officer and the new methods used in modern warfare. Their orientation including if complete range of bed side nursing activities. They learn here what it means to be part of the Army Medical Team. A row may follow as long as they remain an army nurse. This is where the contribution really begins. Their first assignment in the big stateside army hospital. The hospital is a place of value in the military as well as in the civil yap community. Here, in a vast mow say i can of small sounds and movements, they practice their art. this includes every aspect of general nursing and patient care. It also includes specialties such as anesthesia. Operating room nursing. Psychiatric nurse iing. On set the ribs and other specialties, the range is complete. And the opportunities to serve, endless. But the creation of a military nurse is is more than providing employment opportunities. Of equal importance is the educational process that starts with the first day in service and continues throughout the nurses entire career. The roll of men and women nurses in education has different aspects. They study as pupils seeking new patient care and they also serve as instructors for other hospital personnel. This very big experience pays off in several ways. It prepares the nurses for important duties as parts of the Army Medical Team and it helps them in can choosing the specialty they wish to follow in their careers. For example, army nurses participated in the research that led to the development of the regulated Environmental System for safety. A major advance in the prevention and control of infection. Nurses also made important contributions to the developments of the armys transportable hospital units. This unit is designed for use in remote or disaster areas and has the potential for both military and civilian utilization. A hospital competes with xray, laboratory and operating room in less than an hour. A new concept and a new atmosphere for army nursing, and so the benefits of their education and experience move in everwidening and more comprehensive circles. Nurses also have participated in rechb in the use of radioactive isotopes in patients. And with the design of new hospital equipment, such as this electric bed which is used for many types of injuries and deas sz. It is especially used for burn patients. The modern army nurse uses the latest and most complex equipment. This includes devices such as the emergency which is use in the treatment of certain respiratory conditions. And the artificial kiddie or peritoneal dialysis. The search for new methods and more effective nursing programs continues in a variety of ways. One such activity is the internationalle council of nurses which was held in frank ford, germany. Ideas are ex changed on all matters related to the healing arts. In these international meetings, members of the Army Nurse Corps offered their full and enthusiastic cooperation, working towards the true purposes of their careers, the army nurses serve here as teachers, sharing their experiences and knowledge from their colleagues in nursing organizations all over the world and learning at the same time of what other nurses are avenue and achieving in their particular health programs. [ applause ] the congress does more, however, than serve as a form for the exchange of technical information. It offers great spiritual value to the members of this partnership. It provides the opportunity fore cultural companionship during a visit to the opera. An ideal occasions for developing new and lasting social relationships. Another activity designed to widen and strengthen friendships was a boat trip up the rhine river. The ninehour trip gave the nurses a chance to true scenery, have lunch, sunbathe and take pictures all to the tune of a are german band. Motivated by the ideals of their profession and the highest statistics of patriotism, these nurses reach out and join hands in an International Effort to win the war against pain, disease, and death. Like many of you, i used to have a pretty set idea on who the nurse is and what she does. It was always the hospital or the Doctors Office and the duties never seemed to vary. This is not true, however, of the army nurse. A study of her dutiesle reveals that all this has changed. The scope of her duties and the locality in which she practices has changed. One of the specialties is army health nursing. The army health nurse performs the Public Health services needed by servicemen and their families. That i visit the homes of military families to give care and advice. This service is provided in both the United States and in overseas theaters of operation. The problems range from Urgent Health matters to the teaching of pros prospective parents. The army nurse serves any place shes needed. This may include places like alaska, the tropics, in europe or somewhere in the far east. A principle area of concern in modern army nurse is in the various civic action programs being used in developing places in the world. The war against hunger, ignorance, and disease. Nursing and civic action includes ms. Activities. It is the extension of medical and nursing care to people who desire and immediate help. Need help. The nurse also provides a system where natural disasters such is ass the iran earthquake with which destroyed homes and villages. Anywhere our troops have a mission, the army nurse is there, not only to administer to them, but to the people of the country as well. In santa domingo, they treat and heal a local civilian. Education of the people in other lands is an important part of the civic action program. This also includes the medical education of health personnel. In extending this assistance, army nurses are not hampered by specified boundaries. They respond promptly when the need exists to the appeal for help found in the eyes of the sick, the weak, and the helpless. And so they continue to look right at the heart, the minds and the health of the people in the emerging nations of the wor world. The range of the army nurses activities encompasses all of life. They are concerned with the beginning of life, the preservation of life, and with the care of those who fight communist subversion in vietnam and other areas. And with the protection of the american soldier and his allies in our own sphere, the army nurse has a long history devoted to the betterment of mankind, the army nurse is truly a soldier of mercy. Very simply,s to offer hope and cheer in the hearts of men. Were featuring American History tv programs this week as a preview of whats available every weekend on cspan3. Tonight, a look at the modern presidency, beginning with three former white house speech writers talking about the process of turning a president s policies and politics into a speech. American history tv tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan3. Next, medical service in the invasion of normandy. This Program Details the logistics involved in treating Wounded Soldiers in the field and in hospitals in england during and after the dday invasion of france on june 6th, 194 1944. The film was marked restrict add because of its graphic scenes of the woundened and was originally intended for military audiences only