Pride- I never truly understood

that sensation until then.

We march in time to the music,

coming onto the parade grounds

where the applause deafens us.

This is graduation day

but we are different.

We are the medical corp

of the Army.

We take care of those

who are injured or killed.

We risk our lives to save theirs.

As we stand on the field

and listen to the speeches,

we all wonder where we will go from here.

Then it happens;

choppers in the distance and

the theme from M*A*S*H begins

to play on the speakers.

As the song goes on,

the choppers fly over us in formation.

Red crosses painted on the bellies

of each machine.

The symbol we will come

to know well as we serve our country.

Tears fill my eyes

as I stand proud.