Georgia National Guard
Public Affairs Office
JOINT FORCES HEADQUARTERS, Ellenwood, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 – A Demorest family physician has decided its time for him to follow the late John Kennedy’s philosophy of “Ask not what your country can do for you…ask what you can do for your country.”
And in this case, also for one’s state.
Edwin Hendricks, 57, was officially sworn into the Georgia National Guard by Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, before an audience of family, friends and members of his new unit, the Georgia Medical Command.
Hendricks, who will work as an occupational health officer, also received a direct commission to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He will, at some point, attend medical officer’s basic training course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
In his civilian job, he is with Habersham County’s Demorest Family Practice.
The soft-spoken family practitioner said that trading his white lab coat for the Army Combat Uniform, even if it’s on a part-time basis, is something he’s wanted to do for a long time. Serving however eluded him, he said.
Hendricks explained that, when he was a young man, he was among the millions drafted for service in Vietnam. But when he showed up for the physical he was turned away because he had flat feet.
He tried several times down through the years to enlist, but it never seemed to work out, and eventually becoming a doctor and establishing a practice would take up most of his time, he said. When the opportunity finally presented its self, he wasn’t about to pass it up.
“I want to be able to take care of the Soldiers as much as I can,” said Hendricks. “Having a strong, ready military means keeping the folks who fill its ranks healthy.
“And I want more than anything to be a part of that.”
While he had no reservations about what he wanted to do, many among his family were a little unsure of his decision.
His wife Nancy was not one of those.
“He’s going to do what he wants, and I, we will support him now just as we always have.”
Her only concern was whether the family practice would suffer if and when her husband is deployed. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Simon said he assured her it wouldn’t. Simons is special branch officer strength manager for headquarters’ Recruiting and Retention Division.
“When doctors deploy, they do what is called ‘Boots on the Ground,’” he explained. “A physician only deploy for 90 days, and then another takes his place. This practice keeps such Soldiers from losing their practices because of long deployments.”
Nancy Hendricks said her husband has been talking about getting into uniform for the past year. “He loves anything dealing with the military, and talks about it all the time,” she said with a smile, her arm in his. “You have to admire his persistence and desire to become part of something that’s so important to our country.”
Nancy Hendricks added she believes, that she hopes, others will take notice of her husband’s actions, and that what he’s done sends a positive message to the younger generation. “When someone wants something as bad as he’s wanted this, he’s going to get it.”
Nesbitt, in his remarks after administering the oath to Hendricks, said, “I admire and appreciate Hendricks for volunteering to serve. We appreciate his perseverance in wanting to serve.
“And we surely thank him for what he’s already done,” Nesbitt concluded.
Hendricks’ enlistment puts the Georgia Guard at 110 percent when it comes to the number of medical officers it its ranks. It makes him number 19 out of 17, Simon said.
At 57, Demorest Physican Enlists to 'Do'
For His Country, State
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| Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, administers the oath to Lt. Col. Edwin P. Hendricks Jr. at Hendricks’ enlistment ceremony Sunday. With them is Hendricks’ wife Nancy. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean) |