Blog #1

My name is Joe and I am a middle aged pediatric dentist in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am a blessed man. I have a great new practice and am in the United States Army Reserve. I chose the name of this blog because "combat dentist" was my radio handle in Iraq. I have been there twice and found the adventure and overall experience amazing. Going into a war zone to provide dental care is a humbling experience. I am told I am crazy to go to war but military service for me is about taking care of personal responsibility to serve the men and women serving. The young people are the true heroes, the people who stay for much longer than I do. The people who are out in combat and truly in the line of fire.

I wanted to share my ideas and philosophy of meaningful living. I am dealing with my son starting college today and a wonderful daughter that is a total joy in my life. I have had to learn many lessons the hard way. That is just how I have had to learn important things. I am also living a life that will be exceptional in my eyes and hopefully the eyes of others. I believe that "every saint has a past and every sinner has a future". I also believe that tolerance and patience with our fellow citizens is important for our own well being.

I know fear in my life and I do not live in fear any more. I see strong families of children with disabilities that I have the honor of providing dental care, I see love on a level that most of us will never know. They are true heroes, dealing with real 24 hour challenges and often not getting a break. I hope that the stories shared on this blog will inspire and give perspective to anyone who reads it. There is no agenda here, just a way to share thoughts and hopefully inspire people.

The title combat dentist is just different enough to stand out. Hopefully the content of the text will cause readers to return. Albert Einstein stated-"The highest destiny of the individual is to serve rather than rule". I hope you smile and find calm in your life. I invite your thoughts and feedback on this as this is very new for me. Joe