pow from vietnam

[rockriver]

i had plans to visit a sr. associate this morning. when i got there i found a fellow i hadn't seen in ?15 years.
he had been an air force officer. got shot down. spent 6+ years in the hanoi hilton.

he had been a family friend when i was a kid.. i didn't appreciate his experience.
today i asked if he had any remaining injury or disease from is time as a prisoner..
he said "no. i'm doing good." sort of as a response that might have been followed by "compared to many."
then i congratulated him. he walked with a cane.
after my congrats, he said. "of course, i've got my rotator cuff problem... there is none on this shoulder and the other one has been repaired."

i didn't know that you could do without a rotator cuff? ?
he and sr. associate were sharing a lot of catch up info very quickly because both had other obligations, and it wasn't time for me to
keep asking questions.

i can't help but wonder. what happens in prison to cause someone to have rotator cuff problems?

i need to remember to honor those who have fought for our country more often and more seriously.

[Lowdown3]

Could have been hung up by his wrists, putting pressure on the shoulder area. Stretched out and body weight hanging on it long periods of time, any number of things really.

We see rotator cuff injuries in combatives from arm locks and shoulder locks. I got my labrum torn years ago from a big guy without any control who was moving just a bit too quick (spastic).

I believe it's a fairly common injury. My Mom had a torn rotator cuff from working construction like a man for years (seriously).

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Lots of reasons for rotator cuff injuries....of course being a prisoner in times of war may add a few more reasons that the common folk doesn't have...

[rockriver]

i talked to a widow of 'nam veteran.
when i mentioned his shoulders... she looked at me and said. "you don't understand how they tortured the prisoners do you?"