Buffalo surgeon volunteers to go to war

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Most people would want to run from a war zone. But a Buffalo doctor is choosing to put himself in the middle of the melee.

At age 64, Dr. Lawrence Bone is about to serve in Afghanistan. The renowned orthopedic trauma surgeon at ECMC has joined the Army Reserve.

"My mission is to help wounded warriors," said Dr. Bone.

The surgeon will treat some of the most severely wounded and will try to save their limbs. Why is he electing to put himself in harm's way?

"Because the Army needs me," Dr. Bone said. "Our kids are still getting injured, and if they need me, I'm ready to help."

His son, Christian, had been severely wounded in the War in Iraq while on a mission southwest of Baghdad in 2006. He was driving a humvee when a roadside bomb was detonated. His medical evacuation was recorded on video by an Army buddy. Shrapnel had torn through Christian's arm and shoulder.

Christian explained, "The piece actually went in my bicep, came out my shoulder, hit my head and hit the inner lip of my helmet."

Army surgeons successfully treated Christian, and his father lined up his son's physical therapy in Buffalo. Dr. Bone then made a decision.

"You get an emotional bond to the Army because you've got a child in harm's way. Well, once they get injured, I'm an orthopedic trauma surgeon. I just couldn't not help. At that stage, I felt somebody took care of my son, I really need to take care of somebody else's," said Dr. Bone.

His son worries about the emotional impact the war wounded may have on his father. But Dr. Bone is focusing on his commitment.

"Made a decision to serve your country and that's what you do," Dr. Bone said. "You just go and do it."

The cutoff age for surgeons is supposed to be 56. But the Army Reserve waived that because the need for surgeons is critical.

Christian now works with war veterans who are dealing with psychiatric issues. He is a registered nurse at the V.A. Medical Center in Buffalo.

His father should be arriving in Afghanistan next week.