A story teller's story

Richard Zaner as hero (hĒ row)

Paul J. Ford

pp. 185-191

in: Clinical ethics and the necessity of stories, Berlin, Springer, 2011

Abstract

I look around his office as I wait to meet with this teacher-ethicist. On the wall behind his door I notice the standard academic patchwork of framed bits of recognition. A certificate of successful Ph.D. completion. An award from the University Medical Center for dedication and work in "Medical Ethics." A diploma saying "Masters of Arts." All things seem right in the world, until my eye catches the words "Flying Cross." Is it real? Is it a type of ironic humor? As I sit waiting for Professor Zaner to finish jotting a note on my research paper, I more carefully exam the wall. This framed certificate recognizes valor and bravery in war. It is a "distinguished" flying cross, which seems pretty rare to me. In my years of working under the guidance of this graduate school professor not a word had been breathed about this honor. No reference to it appears in any of his biographies on jacket flaps of his book. Is this real? I know he served in Korea but I just assumed it was a desk job of some kind.

Cited authors

Zaner Richard