EMS coordinator comes full circle

SHARON — There are times when destiny may not be apparent. Such is the life of David Cadwell, coordinator of the EMS Institute at Sharon Hospital. From 1970 to 1972 Cadwell, a conscientious objector, served as a medic with the U.S. Army in Vietnam.Perhaps his personal feelings about war and mortality and his own experiences tending to the wounds of others set his life on a course of service, both volunteer and professional.Cadwell and his family moved to West Cornwall in 1987 from Orlando, Fla. He opened Cadwell’s Corner restaurant in West Cornwall on July 4 of that year in the space now occupied by the Wandering Moose Café. He operated the restaurant for 10 years.His desire to serve others and give back to the community continued in his volunteer work here. From his earliest days in West Cornwall, Cadwell has been an active member of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department.Knowing of Cadwell’s Vietnam war experiences, Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway asked Cadwell to give the 2005 Memorial Day talk at the town ceremony. “I didn’t have to think twice. I accepted that honor on the spot.” He added, “Every Memorial Day I think about that very special day in my life. Prior to that speech, I had only told the story of my time in Vietnam a total of five times.” In recent years, most Memorial Day speeches have been given by veterans of World War II or Korea, retired servicemen and women from wars that Americans feel more comfortable remembering. Vietnam has continued to be an uncomfortable memory for many Americans, and veterans of that war, many of whom felt unwelcome when they returned from their tours of duty, often didn’t talk about their service.Cadwell was the first Vietnam vet to talk, proudly, of his military service. It was memorable, for him and for those who heard him speak. One town resident made a videotape and presented it to Cadwell afterward. During the time he operated Cadwell’s Corner restaurant, Cadwell became friendly with newscaster Tom Brokaw, who was a regular customer. On a whim he sent a video of his Memorial Day talk to Brokaw, “to seek Tom’s advice on how to tell my Vietnam story to others.”Brokaw had lionized the men and women who served during World War II with his book, “The Greatest Generation.” When Cadwell reached out to him, the newsman was working on a new book, “Boom,” about the 1960s in America.One section in it is called “The War Without End.” Cadwell’s story is the first in that section, and is followed by the reminiscences of luminaries including Gen. Colin Powell, Senators John McCain, Bob Kerrey and Chuck Hagel, the late Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and others.Cadwell continues to serve the community as a volunteer EMT, driver and all around “old timer” at the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department. He is now the second longest-serving member; Asa Goddard holds the title of longest serving.In 2006, Cadwell was asked to become the coordinator of the EMS Institute at Sharon Hospital.Asked what the main mission of the institute is, Cadwell replied, “We are an American Heart Association training center. We teach emergency squad personnel how to teach CPR to others.” He said the teachers they have trained not only teach other squad members CPR, but also teach firemen, lifeguards, day care center workers, school teachers and others. The institute also provides training courses to 16 area emergency rescue squads.One of the institute’s popular programs is a monthly (except in July and August) case review meeting at Sharon Hospital. “This is a chance for volunteer EMT’s to talk about and share some of the difficult and interesting cases they have had to deal with. It is a learning experience for others who might one day encounter similar situations,” Cadwell said.He is concerned that all emergency squads in the area need volunteer members to continue their lifesaving work. “It is a real problem,” he said, “because of attrition due to age. Young people generally do not remain in the area after school. There is a lack of affordable housing. So there is a shortage of young volunteers to replace the older people who retire.”Cadwell feels one solution is for local fire departments and emergency squads to establish “junior departments” to get high school students involved with their operations at younger ages. “By getting young people involved early on, it gets in their blood and makes them aware of how important it is to give back to our communities.”When asked why he remained in Cornwall all these years, the California native said, “The wonderful friends I have made. The beauty of the area,the beautiful towns and communities. I have a purpose here. I love what I do and also get paid for it.” He added, “I never lack for things to do.”