This pandemic. The army nurse, soldier of mercy is a 1965 u. S. Army film celebrating the contributions of nurses from the American Revolution to the vietnam war. Youre watching reel america on American History tv. This is a story of military personnel, in the classical sense however its not a military story. It is a story of the army nurse, soldier of mercy. Im cheryl conway. I have a very special feeling about nurses. And nursing. To me nurse is a truly proud profession. The nurse is one of the few people in our society who measures success in terms of service and benefits to mankind rather than in the achievement of personal wealth and fame. The army nurse embodies the fine attributes of nurses every where and then add as few qualities of her own. She lives and works according to a simple code. Grant that i be worthy of the simple pledge of my profession and of those lives entrusted in my care. Help me offer hope and cheer to men in our country. Hope and cheer in the hearts of men. The purpose and meaning of army nursing. The history of military nursing is as old as our country. It is a proud story. And one that illuminates some of the finest moments in our national history. George washington was the first to recognize the importance of military nursing. On his recommendation, contract nurses were engaged at a salary of 2 per month plus room and board. While the pay has changed somewhat the original need for army nurses as expressed by George Washington remains the same. Contract nurses were used again in the civil war. At the beginning of the civil war 6,000 women performed some type of Hospital Service under dorotor dix. Here, again, the record was one of service and heroism. The Army Nurse Corps as we know it was formed just after the spanishamerican war in 1901. Here for first time professional nurses were used to support the military forces in the field. In addition to caring for the sick and wounded in combat situations, these nurses working with the doctors became pioneers in the new fields of sanitary engineering and preventative medicine. The history of the Army Nurse Corps in overseas theaters or in wars of our country 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, the Army Nurse Corps really came of age. It proved 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. General pershing bestowed the reckocognition on behalf of a grateful country to the nurses who did a job 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 continued in world war ii, when the corps grew to a strength of approximately 57,000. 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 forces. They improvised wards and cared for the sick and wounded in the jungles of bhutan. And they brought life and comfort to the allied forces on the bitter battlefields of europe. Nowhere was the story more thrillingly acted out than at the beach heads. After the landing, army nurses went ashore and worked daily gently during the winter of 1944. They were there when we needed them. They were there all right and took the same beating we did. The angels of ansio, familiar figures in the dark, desolate winter hell. They knew their job and we knew we could depend on them. They worked in all kinds of makeshift set ups and around the clock in order to keep us in good shape. They did a great job. We were all grateful. Very grateful. The hospital at the points were shelled regularly but that didnt stop them. They even nursed the enemy pilot who was shot down after bombing a hospital tent area. They served in the true tradition of the corps. With courage, with skill and with devotion. After that came the korean war. The army nurse was there. [ gunfire ] punch bowl, pork chop hill, heartbreak ridge, colorful names from the colorless korean war. There was one army nurse when the fighting started. Within two weeks there were 57. Before it was over the corps recruited 5,500. 10 saw duty in the cold and wind, the heat and the mud. One wouldnt find this type of clothing along 5th avenue but then these nurse werent in korea to put on a fashion show. They were there to care for the creaseless flow of wounded men. As they went about their duties no one cared about their attire. As one war correspondent reported they walked 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 is a minute na. As one Commanding Officer wrote as each hope each bb they always remained compassionate because that was the last hope soldiers saw. Today once again they are arnsing tarns ing t answering the call to arms. Our soldiers fighting in far off vma where the suffering of war is made even more difficult because of the climate. But they wont be ignored. [ gunfire ] the army nurse is there to heal, comfort and encourage. The army nurse is where the action is, in the heat of the tropic, tending to the sick and wounded in tents behind the lines. Tomorrow these tents could be the lines in the fluid situation of a hidden war. They live here too. This camp is home. No matter how you spell it. Anywhere in the world under any conditions the feminine mystic is ever present and the feminine ritual. Duty in vietnam isnt all battle and 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 sidebyside with other mississippi of the medical team and their mutual dedication, that of healing and preserving human life. Men and women of the Army Nurse Corps who are near the more urban areas take advantage ever their off duty time to absorb the atmosphere and culture of this Southeast Asian corner of the world. As in new york city, a cab ride here may not be the fastest way but it does offer a chance to rest a little while getting to ones destination. The record they established has become a part of our history pap glorious part. Supporting combat troops in 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 finest and most comprehensive Nursing Services in the world. These men and women of the Army Nurse Corps reflect the highest standards in nursing and patriotism. This did not happen merely with the passing of time or through some fortunate accident. It was result rather of careful selection, intensive training and. Broad experience and it happened because of the deep patriotic and humane motivation of the men and women who come and continue to come to offer their services to the corps. They enter their service as registered professional nurses. To this basic requirement the army adds the intensive education and experience required to make them military nurses. And so they move forward in pursuit of their goal, to help the sick and wounded. And to offer hope and cheer in the hearts of men. This begins at the Brooke Army Medical center in sam houston, texas. Here the nurses are educated in a variety of military subjects. These include military law, courtesies and customs, information on how to assume responsibility of an army officer and new methods used in modern warfare. Their orientation includes the complete range of bedside nursing activities. They learn here what it means to be part of the Army Medical Team. A role they 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 civilian community. Here in the vast mosaic of small sound and hurried moments 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 nursing. Object obstetrics, pediatrics and many others. The range of experience is complete. And the opportunities to serve endless. But the creation of a military nurse includes more than merely providing diversified 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 role of men and women nurses in education has two distinct aspects. They study as pupils seeking new and better methods of patient care and also serve as instructors for other hospital personnel. This varied experience paid off in several ways. It prepared nurses for important duty Salvatore Assenza party of the Army Medical Team and helps them in choosing the specialty they wish to follow in their careers. Army nurses participated in research that toledo the development of the regulated environmental for safety a major advance in the cold of infection. Nurses also made important contributions to the development 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 complete with ward facility, xray, laboratory and operating room is set up 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 after widening and more comprehensive circles. Nurses also have participated in research in the use of radioactive isotopes in patient care. And in the design of new hospital equipment, such as this circular electric bed which is used for many types of injuries and diseases. Its especially useful for the treatment of burn patients. The modern army nurse uses the la latest and most complex devices. This machine is used in the treatment of center respiratory conditions. And the artificial kidney. The search for new methods and more effective nursing programs continues in a variety of ways. One such activity is the International Council of nurses which was held in frankfurt, germany. Here information and ideas are exchanged on all matters relating to the healing arts. In these international meeting, members of the Army Nurse Corps offer their full and enthusiastic cooperation, working according to the true purposes of their career, the army nurses serve here as teachers, sharing their experiences and knowledge with their colleagues from nursing organizations all over the world. And learning at the same time of what other nurses are attempting and achieving in their particular health programs. Congress does more does more than the exchange of technical information. It offers great spiritual value to members of this organization. It provides the opportunity for cultural companionship for a visit to the opera. An ideal occasions for developing new and lasting social relationships. Another activity designed to iden and strengthen friendships was a boat trip up the rhine river. The hour long trip gave the nurses a chance to view the scenery, have lunch, sun bathe, take pictures. Modeled by ideas of their profession and highest standards of patriot jim these nurses 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. The setting was always a hospital or a Doctors Office and the duties never seem to vary. This is not true however of the army nurse. A study of her duties reveal that all of this has been changed. The scope of her duties and locales in which she practices has undergone many changes since the corps was born in 1901. One of the be specialties is army health nursing. The army health nurse performs the Public Health services needed by servicemen and their families. They visit the homes of military families to give care and advice. This service is provide in both the United States and in overseas theaters of operations. The problems range from Urgent Health matters to the teaching of prospective parents. The army Nurse Service anywhere in the world shes needed. This may be in places such as alas alaska, the tropics, europe or somewhere in the far east. A principle area of concern of the army nurse is in the civic action programs being conducted in the developing countries of the world. They contribute here in a different kind of war. The war against hunger. Ignorance. And disease. Nursing in civic action includes many diversified activities, principally the extension of medical and nursing care to people who desire and need help. The nurse also provides assistance where a Natural Disaster such as the iranian earthquake which destroyed homes and villages. In fact, 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. Here in Santa Domingo the soldiers of mercy 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 contribute in the fight for the hearts, the minds, and the health of the people in the emerging nations of the 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 hemisphere, the army nurse has a long and honorable history in the service of her country devoted to the betterment of mankind the army nurse is truly a solve mercy. The meaning and purpose of her life is clear in her every action. Very simply, it is 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 cspan 3. Tonight a look at the modern presidency, beginning with three former white house speechwriters 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 cspan 3. Every saturday night American History tv takes you to College Classrooms around the country for lectures in history. Why do you all know who lizzy bord borden is. The deepest cause where we find true meaning of revolution was in this transformation that took place in the minds of the american people. Well talk about both of these sides of the story here, right . The tools, techniques of slave owner peern also talk about tools and techniques of power that were practiced by enslaved people. Watch history professors lead discussions with their students on topics ranging from the American Revolution to september 11th, lectures in history on cspan 3 every saturday at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on American History tv and lectures in history is available as a podcast. Find writ you listen to podcasts. 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 he and after the dday invasion of france on june 6th, 1944. From the National Archives collection the film was marked restricted because of its graphic scenes of the