Heroes on Board-Veterans Airlift Command

[Deke in TX]

I’m praying that all are beginning the new year in great spirits (no, not single malt!). I’m on call and spent a good part of the wee hours in front of a balky bay of equipment to return home about 4:30AM. Since I’m on call we have to stay home. My wife is asleep as she stayed up until I got home.

Anyway I have the Rose parade on without sound and was reading a little magazine that I first saw in patients’ rooms in the hospital, “Guidepost.” You all are probably familiar with it-some might describe it as pollyannaish or saccharine, but I find it uplifting.

They do a feature called “Positive People.” This month’s story made me think of our Chuck. It is titled “Heroes on Board” and is about a Vietnam Veteran helicopter pilot and his part in the creation of the “Veterans Airlift Command.

This is an organization of 1,250 pilots who volunteer to ferry wounded veterans. Walter Fricke, the author was wounded in Vietnam in October 1968 by shrapnel in the thigh and ankle. The gunner saved his life with quick action- that made me think of Chuck who is a one time helicopter gunner in Vietnam.

Here’s a link to the story:
Heroes on Board

[chuck]

Wonderful story DEKE!

Deeply humbled that it would remind you of this ol' gunner...

Salute.

chuck

(PS I posted the story on my secret blog site that nobody reads!)