Battle Ready: Memoir of a SEAL Warrior Medic (42 page)

To the families of the fallen, especially those mentioned or alluded to in my writings, you’ve overcome more adversity and heartache than the world will ever know, yet were still able to help me out along the way. I pray that one day your story will be able to be told; it is truly a remarkable one, but not as remarkable as each of you. From me, my family, and the team, thank you! I would like to close by giving my final thanks to the Lord for giving me the fortitude to bare my soul, the opportunity to reach out to others, and the strength to embrace change.

A PERSONAL APPEAL

There are a number of organizations assisting our service members that could use your support. If you are currently involved with one I encourage you to continue. However, the preponderance of those who serve will spend the majority of their lives as veterans. Therefore I have listed organizations that both impact the lives of the men and women in uniform as well as our veterans.

The UDT-SEAL Association
www.udtseal.org

The association was founded in December 1969 by some of America’s first Navy SEALs as a mechanism of support for its members and their families. However, due to the expansion of support to the community’s active duty population by its sister organization, the Navy SEAL Foundation, the association has slowly segued its focus toward the community’s veteran population. Working in partnership with other veteran service organizations, benevolent causes, and grants, the UDT-SEAL Association has been able to improve the quality of life of generations of frogmen from World War II to our present day SEAL and SWCC (Special Warfare Combat-craft Crewmen) warriors.

NSW Kids
www.nswkids.com

Naval Special Warfare families experience hardships that can be extreme even when considered within the context of military life. Many of these difficulties transcend their parent’s military service. NSW Kids works closely with established and proven organizations to provide educational, counseling, and other services that empower these children and honor the fallen.

The OASIS Group
www.oasisgrp.org

The OASIS Group provides veterans professional analysis and assistance related to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Although the OASIS Group primarily coordinates with the fraternal organizations within the special operations community, it works with a multitude of veteran service organizations to ensure no veteran is left without the assistance they deserve.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart
www.purpleheart.org

Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the MOPH supports all veterans and their families through a myriad of nationwide programs and their national service officers.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MARK L. DONALD completed BUD/S training and served in the SEALs until 1996, upon selection for the Intra-service Physician Assistant Program. Graduating with a degree from the University of Nebraska, he was commissioned a Medical Service Corps officer and became operational medical support to Special Operations after 9/11. Donald received the Silver Star and Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while engaged against al Qaeda in southern Afghanistan.

SCOTT MACTAVISH is an author, filmmaker, and veteran of the United States Navy.

BATTLE READY.
Copyright © 2013 by Mark L. Donald. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Cover design by Olga Grlic

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Donald, Mark L.

        Battle ready: memoir of a SEAL warrior medic / Mark L. Donald with Scott Mactavish.—1st ed.

            p. cm.

        ISBN 978-0-312-60075-4 (hardcover)

        ISBN 978-1-250-00976-0 (e-book)

        1.  Donald, Mark L.   2.  Afghan War, 2001—Personal narratives, American.   3.  United States. Navy. SEALs—Officers—Biography.   4.  United States. Navy—Medical personnel—Biography.   5.  Afghan War, 2001—Medical care.   6.  Afghan War, 2001—Campaigns.   7.  Hispanic American soldiers—Biography.   8.  Post-traumatic stress disorder—Patients—Biography.   I.  Mactavish, Scott.   II.  Title.

    DS371.413.D66 2013

    359.0092—dc23

    [B]

2012037788

e-ISBN 9781250009760

First Edition: March 2013