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Transcribed from the plaque situated on the base of the ‘Curamus’ memorial at 1 Military Hospital.
This memorial was erected in the honour of serving and ex-serving members of the South African Security Forces and the medical support that has been rendered to them. The two figures symbolise the following:
The kneeling figure depicting an unknown, injured, wounded and disabled member of the security forces. He represents members of both sexes, all races and all services, who, although physically, psychologically and socially in need of care, still fully prepared with his weapon at hand and the will to rise again.
He voices the challenge “Who cares enough to support me to uphold myself again?”
The standing figure, who depicts the well known Operational Medical Orderly of the SAMS – reassuring, morale-building and supportive, he symbolises the total ability and effort aimed at the upliftment of his comrade.
He gives the answer “Curamus – we care”
Together the two young men symbolise the inextinguishable spirit of the youth of South Africa.
Photo of Ops Medic Memorial with thanks to Stan Le Roux and his website www.opsmedic.co.za
This memorial was erected in the honour of serving and ex-serving members of the South African Security Forces and the medical support that has been rendered to them. The two figures symbolise the following:
The kneeling figure depicting an unknown, injured, wounded and disabled member of the security forces. He represents members of both sexes, all races and all services, who, although physically, psychologically and socially in need of care, still fully prepared with his weapon at hand and the will to rise again.
He voices the challenge “Who cares enough to support me to uphold myself again?”
The standing figure, who depicts the well known Operational Medical Orderly of the SAMS – reassuring, morale-building and supportive, he symbolises the total ability and effort aimed at the upliftment of his comrade.
He gives the answer “Curamus – we care”
Together the two young men symbolise the inextinguishable spirit of the youth of South Africa.
Photo of Ops Medic Memorial with thanks to Stan Le Roux and his website www.opsmedic.co.za
From page 15 of the book Paramedics: Lights and Sirens
The medic stood and faced God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his uniform was clean,
He'd gotten dressed kinda fast.
"Step forward now, paramedic.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The medic squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord I guess I ain't,
’cause those of us who wade in blood,
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was tough.
And at times I've been violent,
’cause the streets are awful rough.
But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
although I worked a lot of overtime,
when the bills got far too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
except to calm their fears.
If you have a place for me, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I understand."
There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod.
As there medic waited quietly
for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, paramedic.
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on heavens streets.
You've done your time in hell."
With thanks to www.saparamedics.co.za
The medic stood and faced God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his uniform was clean,
He'd gotten dressed kinda fast.
"Step forward now, paramedic.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The medic squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord I guess I ain't,
’cause those of us who wade in blood,
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was tough.
And at times I've been violent,
’cause the streets are awful rough.
But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
although I worked a lot of overtime,
when the bills got far too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
except to calm their fears.
If you have a place for me, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I understand."
There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod.
As there medic waited quietly
for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, paramedic.
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on heavens streets.
You've done your time in hell."
With thanks to www.saparamedics.co.za
