(Editor’s note: Gary Evans writes works of fiction, including this story.)

We have to save as many of the wounded as possible. The wounded are evaluated as to if they will live or die soon. Morphine is given liberally to numb their pain. Cotton compresses are applied to their open wounds as we try and keep them clean. We have limited time to review each soldier to determine the next course of action. The medical doctors are grouped to their individual skills. Mine is trauma to the chest. As I look around, there is no shortage of work.

The engineers are busy putting together our surgical tents, operating rooms, storage, wash tents and our sleeping quarters. This is very basic, but the only way we have to do our job.

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