SIXTEEN

AN: To Jas-theMADDTexan: just wait & see. : )

Oct. 6th: 2000 hours

Sitting at his desk, the commanding officer of the 4077th reread the last portion of his letter:

I'm sorry to hear about the flat tire, Mildred dear. But it's good to know that Seth Wilkins fixed it for you so quickly. I wish some of the problems over here could be resolved as readily.

You know that Margaret works harder than any of her nurses. So, when I requisitioned a second-in-command charge nurse to help with some of the more mundane reports and duties, I thought she would be pleased. Instead, I'm afraid I've hurt her feelings and her professional pride.

Apparently thinking that I intend to replace her, she has resisted this idea every step of the way. The new charge nurse's arrival didn't help matters, either. Lieutenant MacAllister came in with an Australian outfit that was ambushed. Although injured, she took care of those men until they were brought here.

Because of that injury, (a severely twisted ankle---that was originally broken years ago) Margaret now has a legitimate reason to have her transferred. My doctors, on the other hand, are very opposed to that reassignment. They want her on staff here. I have to agree with them. Her credentials are impressive; her work with the Aussies was superb; and we need more good surgical nurses. Margaret has reluctantly agreed to keep her here for the time being.

MacAllister does have a temper, I can see that. However, she has a ready smile and an abundance of good humor to counterbalance that flaw. And, she has made an effort to be friendly with everyone in camp. Not just the officers: everyone.

Other than Margaret, and probably Lieutenant Parnelli, I don't think there's anyone here who doesn't like this tall Texas girl. She has even managed to make snooty Winchester crack a smile.

But, even better, as far as I'm concerned, MacAllister likes and understands horses. She was raised on a ranch---grew up with cattle and horses. It's good to talk to someone who knows the noble ones. Her stories remind me of my younger days in Missouri. And, she also, somehow, reminds me of you. And I realize how much I miss you. So very much.

Keep the home fires burning, Mildred. I love you.

Sherm

Oct. 6th: 2000 hours

Sitting at her desk, the head nurse of the 4077th reread the last portion of her letter:

I'll be attending a conference in Tokyo in a couple of weeks, Belinda. I would love to have you join us for a night out on the town. I'm sure that Donald won't mind. That is, I hope I'll be there...if my nurses settle back down by then.

Even though, as head nurse, I have always fulfilled, and will continue to fulfill, all of my obligations, Colonel Potter insisted that I needed someone to help with the paperwork. Ever since the position was announced, Lieutenant Parnelli has wanted that assignment. How she ever thought she was qualified for it, I'll never know. (I don't know how she ever made it into the Army---or even through nursing school---for that matter.)

I'm not sure that the person who has been assigned will be any better. She is very un-military. Very undisciplined! Very exasperating!

Before coming to Korea, Lieutenant MacAllister was a civilian---with no military training other than what little was taught at the Army Nurses Training Camp. As soon as she arrived, instead of waiting for proper escort, she hitched a ride with some Australian soldiers. They were attacked along the way. She took care of those men but she did more field treatment than she should have---making decisions which only surgeons should make.

In addition, she wrenched her ankle...already damaged from an old break. (I'm willing to bet she didn't tell the Nursing Board about that impairment, either.) Because of this injury, I tried to have her transferred. Her ankle is weak. And we don't know how long it will take to heal. We need people we can rely on---now. Not some unknown time in the future.

However, all of the surgeons want her to stay. So, for now, whenever we have wounded, she will be assigned to an OR team. She will also have rotating clean up and post-op duties. At other times, she will be working double shifts (1100 to 1700 and 2300 to 0500 hours). These extra shifts are to prepare her for the second-in-command position...if she lasts that long.

MacAllister has already had one go-round with Parnelli. Her hair is barely within regulation length. She also talks too much. And, practically every male in this camp...from the enlisted men, to Corporal Klinger, to Major Winchester, down to Ernie, our camp canine...thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread. Hawkeye Pierce does, too. It's all so irritating!

I'll write more, later. Call whenever you get a chance.

Margaret