Deployed 'doc' mending bodies and minds in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Navy Seaman Samuel L. Blanco treats an Iraqi boy's wounded foot during a combat patrol in Husayba, Iraq Sept. 23. He is a 25-year-old hospital corpsman assigned to the Marines of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. He provides medical care to the locals so Marines can focus on their mission. Blanco is from Justin, Texas and serves under Regimental Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations in the Habbaniyah area for seven months.  

HUSAYBA, IRAQ

09.23.2006

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Regimental Combat Team 5

HUSAYBA, Iraq (Sept. 23, 2006) -- Navy Seaman Samuel L. Blanco is a healer. The hospital corpsman geared up in layers of body armor has a bag of tricks he carries that's not just healing the bumps and bruises, scrapes and cuts, but also relations and trust between Americans and local Iraqis.

Blanco provided health care for dozens of Iraqis during a combat patrol with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment through an Iraqi village here Sept. 23.

"From an American view, it gives us a sense of pride to know that Iraqi's would come to us," said Blanco, a 26-year-old from Justin, Texas, assigned to Weapons Company.

He said less than two months ago, Iraqis in this area west of Fallujah were hesitant to even speak to him or the Marines when they first started serving under Regimental Combat Team 5. The mood is changing though. Now, instead of leery stares, parents are bringing their children forward to get a once-over from "Doc" Blanco.

"When they get a serious problem they can come to us," said Lance Cpl. Paul J. Burns, a mortarman with 81mm Platoon. "They're starting to get close to us and recognizing the 'doc.'"

The 22-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, said the locals could pick out the resident medical expert by his calm persona.

"Soon as they found out that I was a 'doc' everybody was like, 'fix me, fix me, bandage,'" Blanco said.

He doesn't mind it. He said he enjoys contact with the Iraqis.

"Doc's not afraid to get hands-on with the residents," said Lance Cpl. Liam E. Izar, a mortarman with Weapons Company.

The 20-year-old gunner from Chardon, Ohio, said it's great having him around.

"He helps us focus on doing our job," he said.

• Date Taken: 09.23.2006
• Date Posted: 09.26.2006 13:39
• Story ID: 7837
• Location: HUSAYBA, IQ