By: J. Brad Turner, MD 
All plastic surgeons owe their profession to War Veterans. The field of plastic surgery evolved from a need to treat wartime injuries, most notably in World War II. The principles we use today to treat injuries, cancers, birth defects, and aesthetic distortions are all grounded in the lessons learned during those early years in Plastic Surgery.
Many of the greatest stories ever told revolve around times at war. It brings out the greatest depth of human emotions. My father is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp and some of my fondest memories of childhood involve the stories he would tell and pride he would take in telling them. For all of this I am genuinely grateful.
Our United States Armed Forces Veterans and Active Duty military personnel must be commended for their sense of duty to our country. Today, November 11 is Veterans Day. Regardless of your political and social inclinations we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who have given us the ability to go about our day-to-day lives with the freedom to do as we please.
Below are links to a pair of charities that have made it their mission to aid our veterans and their families. I encourage you to visit the sites, consider a donation or volunteer.
The Wounded Warrior Project: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Children of Fallen Soldiers Non-Profit: https://www.childrenoffallensoldiers.org