A Surgeon’s Story of Service: Dr. Chuck Abelson Reflects on Vietnam and Life at Blakehurst
At Blakehurst, Towson, Maryland’s premier senior living community, Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the courage and life experiences of residents who have served their country. Among them is Dr. Charles “Chuck” Abelson, a Baltimore native whose path led him from a distinguished surgical career to the front lines of medical service during the Vietnam War.
Abelson began his career in oral and maxillofacial surgery after completing his residency at Cornell Medical Center. “I was finishing my last weeks of residency when I got the orders,” he recalled. “I finished my shift at midnight on June 30. By July 3, I was sworn into the Army at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.”
After training and an initial assignment at Fort Carson Army Hospital in Colorado, Abelson was deployed to a small surgical hospital in Chu Lai, just south of Da Nang. “We had 20 surgeons and 60 beds, most of them in tents,” he said. “During the Tet Offensive, we were incredibly busy. We had patients on the ground, under desks, wherever there was space. We just got it done.”
Moments of Compassion and Grace
What remains most vivid for Abelson all these years later are the acts of compassion he witnessed. “The nurses were extraordinary. They would sit with these young boys, many only eighteen or nineteen, and hold them until they took their last breaths,” he said. “They were the heroes. I have never forgotten them.”
The hospital itself was under frequent rocket and mortar attack. A nearby Marine air wing regularly sent a detachment to provide added protection. “They came every night,” Abelson said. “They were allowed to dance with our nurses, and I think the nurses appreciated it just as much. In the middle of everything, those moments of normal life meant more than you’d expect.”
After returning home, Abelson continued his surgical practice, and he and his wife, Joan, remained in Baltimore. The couple met when they were teenagers and have been married for 62 years. “We’ve been together almost our entire lives,” he said. “She’s my partner in every way.”
An Exceptional Community
The Abelsons moved to Blakehurst one year ago after visiting several communities. “Blakehurst was clearly the best of the three we saw,” Abelson explained. “It is beautifully maintained, extremely well run, and the people could not be kinder. The staff here is exceptional.”
He also cited the warmth of the dining room and the spirit of daily life. “The food is very good, and the servers are terrific and they’re fun to talk to. And there is always something to do here. You can stay as active as you want to be.”
Both Abelsons frequent the fitness center, and Chuck recently agreed to serve on the Resident Board. “They asked me to join, and after some convincing, I said yes,” he said with a smile.
As the community observes Veterans Day, Blakehurst honors residents like Abelson whose service reflects both bravery and compassion. His story is a reminder that service can take many forms: in operating in tents under fire, in holding the hands of the wounded, and in the everyday kindnesses.
Learn More About Blakehurst
To learn more about what makes Blakehurst — and the people who live and work there — exceptional, schedule a personal tour at 410-441-5996 or blakehurstlcs.com/contact/.