That-Aching-Low-Back

Seeing A Lady Warrior Off to Iraq

When Tanna Bia came to Aztec VFW Post 614 to celebrate a birthday and going away party she had no idea what else was going to become a part of our Post History.

Tanna is being shipped out to Iraq and her family and friends were there in the Post Dining Room to see her off. She was surprised beyond words when the VFW Officers and some Army Personnel walked to the podium and asked her to please come forward.

Commander Abe Saiz then made a few opening remarks and presented her with a New Mexico State Flag. The New Mexico State Flag has a yellow field with a red Zia Sun Symbol in the center. It seems appropriate that a state with so many Native American Warriors should have such a flag.

As a Life Member of Post 614 and the proponent for Mount KIA/MIA it was my pleasure to present a Mount KIA/MIA Challenge Coin to her.

While there are already a few of these challenge coins in circulation, we expect them to become very popular. They will be sold for fifteen dollars each and a part of the proceeds will go toward continuing efforts toward a Mount KIA/MIA Memorial, and we are hoping that there will be a memorial built in the city of Saguache. We are also searching to find a place where people can bring, or send, dog tags honoring killed or missing military personnel. Since these stainless steel tags are almost indestructible it is hoped that there will be a perpetual place of honor for them. We really don’t think they should be on the mountain, but more likely at a “memorial” to be built for this special purpose in Saguache.

New Mexico is proud of all its warriors and I was honored to present the Challenge Coin to one of our Lady Warriors. We wish her a safe journey and look forward to seeing her again when she returns home.

A sunny day and a clear blue sky greeted us as we memorialized Army Cpl. John Spruell. As I stood there I could not help but feel the warmth of this December day and compare it to the cold of the Korean War. The people of Cortez can be proud of the event.

On Saturday, December 06, 2008 more than 100 family members, classmates and friends gathered at the Cortez Cemetery to see the memorial for Army Cpl. John A. Spruell dedicated. It was 58 years to the day since Spruell went missing West of Chosin Reservoir while fighting the Communist Chinese Forces in North Korea.

I traveled to Cortez because of my interest in honoring our heroes, because I was invited, and because Cpl. Spruell was part of a military unit that I had been researching for over six years. He was a member of Btry. B 57th FA Battalion, 7th Infantry Division.

When I read the data on Cpl. Spruell I realized that he had been in the same unit as Sgt. Jimmie Jumbo who I have often written about. Jimmie was from Toadlena, New Mexico and he and Spruell went missing on the same day at Hagaru-Ri North Korea, at the Chosin Reservoir. Spruell and Jumbo were from the Four-Corners Area and being soldiers I believe they would have talked about home. They may have discussed Fry Bread, Mutton Stew, Home Fries and Tacos, and probably family and girlfriends were discussed.

A funeral for my friend of many years, Glen Gabehart, was being carried out in Aztec, New Mexico on the same day as Spruell’s memorial and I thought of Glen as I stood there watching the dedication. Glen and I are members of Farmington High School Class of 1949 and the last time we visited we were looking forward to our upcoming 60th Class Reunion.

As we stood beneath a bright sun viewing a clear blue sky I gave thanks for the weather. This man deserved good weather on the day his memorial was dedicated. As I watched the wonderfully performed ceremony my eyes focused beyond the Speakers and the Honor Guard and the crowd as I looked toward Sleeping Ute Mountain behind them. Surely John Spruell saw this mountain every day he lived in Cortez, and it is fitting that his memorial be within view of this famous landmark

When I visit Cortez I will always stop for a moment at the Southwest corner of the Cortez Cemetery and stand at Cpl. Spruell’s memorial stone to say a prayer for him and his buddy Sgt. Jimmie Jumbo and gaze to the West to enjoy that same Sleeping Ute Mountain that I first viewed as a five year old boy when my family moved to Cortez in 1935

I have a younger brother who lives in Cortez now and who is also a Korean War Veteran, and I am sure that George will be pleased to place a fresh red rose on John Spruell’s memorial stone now and then.

A donor who asked not to be identified provided seed-money to the Cortez cemetery to establish a Memorial Fund in Cpl. John A. Spruell’s name. The fund will be used for maintaining the Veteran’s Section of this cemetery. The fund will repair older headstones and provide a buffer if a family cannot afford the hundred and forty dollar cost of stone-setting. Should you desire to contribute to this fund please contact Dennis Spruell, The Cortez Cemetery, or the Cortez Journal Newspaper.

Even after 58 years, it was evident that John Spruell was a favorite with his high school friends and the younger family members who had never met him. Now they will learn about the events of late November and early December 1950 when a small American Force held off the Chinese Army “East of Chosin” just long enough that the Marines and the few surviving Army personnel were able to fight their way out to the sea, and live to fight another day.

When I arrived at home I could not help but think of the love these “Chosin Few” have for each other, so I telephoned my friend Sgt. Carson Gentry who lives in Johnson City Tennessee. Gentry was a part of that unit and had survived having been a prisoner of the Communist Chinese for years. He was the one who first contacted me with a photo and information about Jimmie Jumbo and has put me in contact with others of these brave men who survived the battle West of Chosin. When you look at the photo of Gentry and Jumbo please remember that Gentry still had this photo over 50 years after the event, and that he has fond memories of Jimmie and his other buddies.

The story of the Korean War, which is called “the forgotten war”, is the story of men who still care about each other. Those who fought in this war will never forget!

Bruce L Salisbury

"Fighting for Our Veterans-Supporting Our Troops"

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That Aching Low Back

by Rick Mowles, BS, DC, DICAK, DABCO

Vietnam Veteran 1968-1970. 1st Battalion 9th Marines, 3rd. Marine Division

Throughout history man has been plagued by low back pain. In recent times, low back pain has become so common that many authorities relate that nearly everyone at some point in their life will have low back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on the problem, and it is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States - only headache is more common. and the second most common ailment that Americans see their doctor - second only to colds and flu.

The spinal column in the human body is made up of individual bones called the vertebra. These blocks of bone are stacked on top of each other to form the spinal column. The spinal cord is enclosed by this stack of vertebrae for protection. At each vertebral level, nerves branch out from the enclosed spinal cord to different parts of the body. This stack of vertebrae are separated at each level by a spongy material called an intervertebral disc. The disc allows the column of vertebra to move relative to each other. These discs also provide a shock absorption mechanism for the entire spinal column. The spinal column is also supported by ligaments and muscles to maintain it’s vertical stability. This could be compared to a tower with supporting ties to maintain stability in an upright position. If there is weakness on one side of the tower then it will lean toward the stronger side. Man can be described as an upright, bipedal animal. The weight of the body is supported by the skeleton, and the upright spinal column with its ligaments and muscles.

There are many causes of low back pain. The causes are so diverse that it far exceeds the space of this article. We will focus on some very common causes of low back pain. These would all fall under the description of mechanical causes of low back pain. The number one cause in this category would be obesity.

Over the past decade, obesity has become recognized as a national health threat and a major health challenge. In 2007-2008, based on measured weights and heights, approximately 72.5 million adults in the United States were obese. It is no coincidence that cases of low back pain have increased proportionately. Human males tend to accumulate fat in the abdominal area whereas females accumulate fat in the hip areas. This increased weight drastically changes the weight bearing forces placed on the spinal column. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers. Increased weight bearing stress from obesity puts added stress on these discs. This leads to them degenerating at a much accelerated rate. As the discs lose their structural integrity, the entire spinal column loses its flexibility. Loss of flexibility and the excess weight accelerates the most common type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. This is often called “the wear and tear” arthritis normally associated with the aging process. Mechanical stresses on the vertebra make the body lay down excess calcium which is concentrated on areas of the vertebra with most stress. Over time this can lead to bony deformities in the vertebra and formations of accumulations called bone spurs. These bone spurs are jagged, and pointed. Sometimes these bone spurs form in places along the spine to cause nerve compression and/or irritation. This may be so severe as to warrant spinal surgery to alleviate the nerve involvement.

Obesity can lead to all sorts of compensation of the spinal column with resulting low back pain. This complex problem could be drastically reduced or eliminated by just maintaining proper weight. This is most effectively done by exercise and diet. The exercise should be aerobic and raise the heart rate for at least 30 minutes a day. The most common and simple way is by just walking. Walking will raise the heart rate to a sufficient level to burn excess fat, help in lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and blood pressure. Exercise also strengthens muscles throughout the body. Muscles that have good tone will do their job of supporting the spinal column. This will keep muscles and ligaments from being easily strained when doing just trivial physical tasks.

Another common factor in low back pain is not wearing the proper shoes. The tallest tower is only as structurally stable as its foundation. The human body is no different. Shoes that properly support the foot structures help in the stability of the spinal column. The most common foot problem leading to low back pain is foot pronation. This condition is described as a flattening of the arch of the foot when weight bearing forces are placed on it. The arch normally helps absorb shock. When the arch is not strong, it flattens and shock from the ground into the foot is transmitted up through the skeleton into the spine. This causes micro trauma to the spinal column structures which eventually will lead to low back pain. The pronation problem can be effectively treated by just wearing good supportive shoesthat have a strong heel counter. This is the heel part of the shoes that enclose the heel. This part of the shoe should be almost rigid not being able to be moved when pressure is put on that part of the shoe. A lace up type of shoe is the best as it keeps the foot properly positioned in the shoe. Athletic shoes such as Nike have been built to deal with foot pronation by giving a strong instep support in the shoe. Individuals can also be fitted for orthotics. These are orthopedic supports made from a cast of the foot. They fit into the shoe to maintain the proper support of the arch.

So, now you know, something as simple as wearing good shoes, diet and exercise may alleviate or reduce a lot of cases of low back pain. The exercise should be aerobic in nature such as walking, or swimming for 30 minutes a day 3-4 times a week. Prevention is always a better approach than invasive procedures such as surgery for low back pain.

Rick Mowles

Click on picture for bio.

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