The Good Life – September-October 2019

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LOCAL HERO | MIKE GRUCHALLA Moorhead State. I had short hair, I was a Vietnam vet, I was a ‘baby killer’, said Gruchalla. “I went home. I spent four months in my folks’ basement growing out my hair. I didn’t go out for anything because I didn’t know if I would be accepted for having medium length hair,” said Gruchalla. A Continued Medical Career Eventually, Gruchalla acquired a job in the medical field, continuing to care for hurting people. For 10 years, he worked at Dakota Hospital for orthopedic surgeons. Then, he spent the next 27 years at the Fargo VA Hospital working in the operating room. Gruchalla saw firsthand how much of what the medics learned in Vietnam was put into practice on American soil. “It was a slow process, but it went from ambulances basically being 34 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com a meat wagon ... to someone riding in the ambulance able to initiate medical treatment. And, with that, the use of helicopters to transport because we found out in Vietnam that we only had basically an hour before things would permanently die,” said Gruchalla. “My Lives as a Medic” At the consistent urging of a VA doctor and Gruchalla’s now-wife, Gruchalla authored a book outlining the stories he carries from the Vietnam War. He was reluctant at first, in part due to his dyslexia which made the writing process challenging, though he’s glad now that he wrote it. “My Lives as a Medic: A Soldier’s Journal in Vietnam” provides a raw, honest memoir of Gruchalla’s experience in the Vietnam War. Giving Back Today Gruchalla wasn’t always involved - or invited - into veterans organizations. “When I first came home, the VFWs and the American Legions called me ... they both told me they didn’t want me. ‘Vietnam was not a war ... we don’t want the Vietnam vets’,” said Gruchalla. Many years later, prompted by the positive change in the public’s view of Vietnam veterans, Gruchalla joined the VFW, AM Vets, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America. Gruchalla helps the Vietnam Veterans of America with their 5K and 10K races as a crossing guard and is involved with the Fargo Moorhead Vietnam Veterans Week in May. Furthermore, for the past four years, Gruchalla has volunteered with the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/ MN, a nonprofit created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. He assists in Honor Flight fundraising events and has been the cook for the past 2 years.
Helping with the Honor Flight is a rewarding experience for Gruchalla, and his favorite part is “just seeing the veterans as they see the memorials.” The Good Life “In spite of being diagnosed with cancer and having a stroke, I’ve had a good life. And, most people would say a good life ... with friends and family. ... I have associations and acquaintances because in Vietnam I learned that you don’t want to be friends with anybody because when friends die, it hurts. When we acquaintances die, it’s not as bad,” said Gruchalla. Undoubtedly, the Vietnam War played a large role in Gruchalla’s life although he’s not solely defined by his years serving. Rather, his life in whole is a greater representation of his values. When looking at Gruchalla’s experiences, it is evident that in enlisting to protect his brother, working as a Combat Medic, 37 years in the medical field, writing a book, and volunteering with veterans organizations, his primary focus has always been caring for others. “... I wouldn’t change a thing. It was meant to be. And, like I said, it’s been a good life,” said Gruchalla. • “ ... I wouldn’t change a thing. It was meant to be. And, like I said, it’s been a good life.” – Mike Gruchalla “My Lives a Medic: A Soldier’s Journal in Vietnam” can be purchased by emailing: pmatsonr@hotmail.com urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 35
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The Good Life – September-October 2019

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