PIERRE, SD (Dakota News Now) – November 11 is a day set aside for stories of bravery, honor and sacrifice to help remind civilians of the legacy carried by the nation’s military.

The men and women of the armed forces have faced many battles, but in tonight’s Avera Medical Minute, we take you to Pierre to show that the power of friendship and service transcends generations.

From his service in Vietnam to his retirement in Gettysburg, South Dakota, Boiler Operator Number Two Jim Shea lived quite a life.

“I had the opportunity to discover a good part of the world. My parents owned a small newspaper in Wisconsin. My mother was an editor, so she sent me her newspaper in 1964. And I got pretty much everything I did every day here.

Each page contains a memory of his time in the Navy. But this day is special.

“Today is my last day! »

It is.

Jim suffers from myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer, but he doesn’t fight alone.

“Hey, Jim!” » calls a voice from the room.

Another Navy veteran, Lt. Claire Peschong, sits nearby getting chemo.

“We kindly call him Navy Jim,” Lt. Peschong said.

“Well, one of the nurses said there was a Navy couple in the other room, so they came and talked to me,” Shea said.

“And we were stopping by Jim’s house when he started doing his chemo and we just introduced him and we joked a little bit like us sailors,” Lt. Peschong laughed.

The two veterans exchange their stories. So, have you done boot camp and thought about their shared naval experience to help pass the time during Jim’s appointments? A favor that he returns to Claire during hers.

“I have experienced extreme situations before, but I have never felt shock. And I felt all the symptoms of shock when Dr. Jason Jones gave me the diagnosis,” Lt. Peschong said.

At age 36, Claire was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and endured several episodes of chemotherapy and other treatments.

“Well, I’m approaching my sixth birthday. And I still exist,” Lt. Peschong said.

For his last tour, Navy Jim was passing through.

“When we get infusions on the same days, like today and even last week, we take a minute and talk,” Lt. Peschong said.

Their friendship, although separated by a generation, is only a remedy for a little more strength and encouragement.

“It’s fun to have someone to reminisce about sea stories with!” » Lieutenant Peschong joked.

It’s amazing, you know, I mean, for you to be able to talk to someone who’s dealing with what you’re going through,” Shea said.

“I appreciate it so much,” Lt. Peschong said.

“I like it too. You remind me a lot of my daughter,” Shea said.

“I may remind you of your daughter, but you remind me of all the brothers I had in the Navy.” So it’s a family affair,” Lt. Peschong said.

Their illnesses are stable, but they have not disappeared and will require continued monitoring. While Jim may be turning the page in this chapter with his treatment. You know very well, as long as Claire is in her IV chair, he will not be far away.

“What’s interesting about this trip is all the guys like Jim are wearing their hats and sitting in the Helmsley Center and I see them. And I’m not alone,” Lt. Peschong said.

For more information about cancer care, visit www.avera.org/medicalminute.

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