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12/18/2007: "Your Tax Dollars At Work"

So often, we hear the horror stories of wasted tax dollars on military boondoggles. Here's an example of a military expenditure we all can support.

Imagine this parents' nightmare - you're on a cruise ship off the Mexican coastline when your 14-yr-old daughter suffers a ruptured appendix. This is far beyond the limited medical capabilities of the onboard doctor, and your child's life is at grave risk. What do you do?

Send in the Navy! The SOS broadcast by the cruise ship Dawn Princess was answered by no less than the USS Ronald Reagan, a Navy carrier performing training exercises over 500 miles away. Two helicopters were dispatched from the Reagan to retrieve the ailing teen.

"They evacuated the whole back end of the ship so that the helicopter could come and lower the basket. They put her in the basket," her mother said. "She had a little stuffed animal dog and she was holding that for dear life."

Hours later, Montero was aboard the carrier where crews rushed her into surgery.

... Montero is also expected to make a full recovery. She is still resting aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, but she and her family will be pulling back into San Diego today.

Her family, meanwhile, is extremely grateful for the carrier's quick response.

"It was beyond words. It was like the whole world just lifted off of my shoulders."

Talk about your nationalized medical care ... well done!