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Jan. 04, 2008
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JOHN L. SMITH: Family man, doctor and legislator ready for his tour of duty in Iraq

JOHN L. SMITH
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At a time most physicians his age are expanding their practice and building their nest eggs, Dr. Joe Heck is preparing for war.

Heck, an emergency room doctor at University Medical Center, is probably best-known in the press as the Republican state senator from District 5. As if that weren't enough to keep the 46-year-old father of three busy, he's also a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve with more than 16 years of experience.

Heck will put that experience to the test beginning Jan. 26, when he's scheduled to leave Southern Nevada for Fort Benning, Ga., for processing before starting a 90-day tour of duty at a combat support hospital in Iraq.

In a sense, he's been preparing for this moment the past 16 years since volunteering for Reserve duty in 1991 during Desert Storm. When Heck joined the Reserve, he of course knew there was a chance he would be deployed into a war zone. As I heard the doctor speak Thursday about his motivations for military service, I came to believe the Army had the right man for a difficult job.

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    • Here is a fellow who was disappointed he didn't get a chance to help out during the first Iraq conflict.

    "By the time my paperwork was done, Desert Storm was over," he says.

    In addition to two previous deployments -- the first to a medical receiving facility in Mannheim, Germany, in 1996 during the Kosovo conflict, the second to the Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2003 during Operation Double Eagle following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks -- he's spent much of his free time as a physician observer at military medical centers. He's trained in the treatment of chemical, biological and radiological injuries, and in recent months has prepped for treating traumatic blast wounds of the sort caused by devastating roadside bombs.

    The question a skeptic might reasonably ask is: Why would a guy with a family and a couple of successful careers put his life on hold to fly into harm's way?

    Heck simply replies, "When 'The Star Spangled Banner' plays, I'm the kind of guy who gets a tear in his eye and a chill up his spine. I've always had a desire to give something back. I love this country and the freedom we enjoy. I'm just looking for another way to serve."

    Some of his colleagues have wondered about the money he'll lose while serving his country. Heck isn't worried. In anticipation of the lost income, for months he's contributed money into a "mobilization account," so his family won't suffer.

    He also knows the facts. Iraq is a dangerous place. By a conservative count, 42 Nevadans in the military have died there since the start of the war.

    "If my being there can prevent No. 43, my 90 days will have been worth it," he says. "That's what I signed up for. I think it's every American's duty to do what they can to support our troops. In relation to what everyone else is doing, 90 days isn't all that much. I'm just glad to do my part."

    Heck reports that his wife, Lisa, is supportive. Daughters Monica and Chelsa are on board. Son Joseph III probably will undergo a period of adjustment. When told of his father's upcoming sojourn, his son said, "It's like going to Carson City."

    Well, yes and no.

    But that provides a segue into Heck's other battle -- re-election in District 5. He's bracing for a brawl to keep his seat.

    In the interim, Lisa and some volunteers will take calls from constituents. He'll try to keep in touch but knows communication won't be easy. (And using a military e-mail for political purposes would violate the Hatch Act.)

    Heck won't be able to do much campaigning, but tries to keep his sense of humor and political perspective.

    "When I get back," he says, "I think I'll keep the body armor."

    It might come in handy during the campaign.

    ON THE BOULEVARD: Longtime GOP consultant Jim Denton continues to recuperate from open-heart surgery. ... Veteran attorney and current State Bar of Nevada President Nancy Allf has announced she's running for the newly created District Court Department 25 judgeship.

    Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.

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    Ted DeCorte wrote on January 08, 2008 10:25 AM: Joe - keep your head down and come back safely . . . and bring some of our boys back safely as well.


    Lana DeSimone wrote on January 07, 2008 01:29 PM: Sen. Joe Heck is a remarkable man in every way and will soon be a remarkable soldier. All the way from Coconut Grove, FL we wish him Godspeed and a safe return home. His family is the core of who he is and the values he brings them are an inpiration to us all. Thank you for your patriotism and service, Joe.


    Janet Nuszbaum wrote on January 04, 2008 04:45 PM: Joe Heck was my commander during part of my 26-year career in the Army Reserves. He is, by far, the best commander I have served under. Even though he is a doctor, a Colonel, a Senator, he has always remained an easy to talk to, caring, fair, human being. Although I retired from the Army Reserves in 2000, and haven't seen him since, I'm proud to say I knew him. Kudos to you Col Heck!!!


    Steve wrote on January 04, 2008 11:16 AM: Mad American.

    You are obviously an idiot and completely void of any intelligence.

    "90 days as a war surgeon is like YEARS in the field. The stress and trauma is beyond anything YOU could endure or imagine."

    That statement is 100% WRONG. You don't have a clue about that which you speak. I spent my time in Nam as a "tunnel rat". It's obvious you aren't smart enough to read so find someone who can read to you and have them tell you what that was.

    "Try saying thanks to Dr. Heck instead, you jerk."

    I hold nothing against Dr. Heck because I don't know the man. I do take offense to articles making a "hero" out of someone going into a "safe zone" for 90 days and absolutely nothing about the men/women spending 13 months plus being shot at, bombed, etc.

    "Dr. Heck and I went nose to nose over the Rx bill during the legislative session..."

    I doubt that VERY seriously.


    P. Galvan wrote on January 04, 2008 10:36 AM: Just for a moment. Put away your political views. Forget whether you are for or against the war in Iraq. Forget that this man is in the military traveling to a war zone.
    Here is a man who is now putting his words into action by leaving his family, work and politics to help save lives. He is going into "harms way" because he wants to help. Those of us that have gone into harms way or risked our personal safety and have not sat on the sidelines of any of life"s ordeals , know what this man is about to experience. I've never met this man and whether he stays 90 days or 365, I will say that he rates a simple "Thank you" from us.


    Mike Ault wrote on January 04, 2008 10:28 AM: Doc Heck is a great man and one of many parts. I worked with him on many issues prior to my retirement and found him to be a principled person of great character and intense motivation.



    Godspeed.



    And to Frank and his ilk, please consider setting down your warm glasses of Kool Aid and dropping the anti-war mantra long enough to recognize a couple of things.



    First, not everyone agrees with your positions.



    Second, this man is not going there to further some policy. He is going there to save lives through his skills and dedication to his physician's oath.



    It would be hard for me to believe that your hatred would extend so far as to deny medical care to the wounded.



    Good luck, Doc.



    Mike


    Mike Ault wrote on January 04, 2008 10:20 AM: Doc Heck is a great man and one of many parts. I worked with him on many issues prior to my retirement and found him to be a principled person of great character and intense motivation.

    Godspeed.

    And to Frank and his ilk, please consider setting down your warm glasses of Kool Aid and dropping the anti-war mantra long enough to recognize a couple of things.

    First, not everyone agrees with your positions.

    Second, this man is not going there to further some policy. He is going there to save lives through his skills and dedication to his physician's oath.

    It would be hard for me to believe that your hatred would extend so far as to deny medical care to the wounded.

    Good luck, Doc.

    Mike


    Mad American wrote on January 04, 2008 08:07 AM: Steve ... you need a brain transplant. 90 days as a war surgeon is like YEARS in the field. The stress and trauma is beyond anything YOU could endure or imagine. Try saying thanks to Dr. Heck instead, you jerk. Dr. Heck and I went nose to nose over the Rx bill during the legislative session but my esteem and regard for him now is sky high. Thank you, doctor. I doubt you'll have much trouble getting reelected considering this chain of events.


    barb wrote on January 04, 2008 06:54 AM: Good Luck and thanks


    Frank Metheny wrote on January 04, 2008 06:53 AM: What a complete waste. We need more people to stand up to this administration's wrongdoing, not show support for it. If you really 'support the troops' then you'd be telling your legislators non-stop that you demand that they come home right now. And then you'd work to impeach their commander-in-chief.


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