Yes, this is actually me...
I was in the military; I am a retired Air Force enlisted man, but years ago I was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, in South Carolina. One day, it was pouring down rain so hard you could see about 40 or 50 feet in front of you. A guy I knew of... well not real well, but just enough to say we’ve chatted a few times. Anyway, this guy worked in our motor pool, He was the give you his shirt off his back type. I can think of know one that didn’t like him. Anyway, on this rainy day, he was heading home from work on the main highway that runs in front of the base. He saw a woman in a car stalled in the center lane of the road and she had 2 small children with her.
Knowing that folks speed through this area with little care about what they can't see in front of them. He pulls over on the right shoulder of the road, pretty much next to her car, puts on his flashers. Then without a 2nd thought. He jumped out of his car and ran straight to the lady to offer some help before she got rear ended by some knucklehead.That was the last thing he remembers before waking up in the hospital 2 weeks later. His left side was almost completely shattered and largely he was in one giant plaster cast. Seems he stepped out in front of a speeding trucker and was hurled a good 40 to 50 feet into the ditch. Relax he's ok; this story is not a sad one... Let me continue, it gets good.
Anyway for 2 weeks we didn't know if the guy was going to die, pull through or what. Lots of prayers were said, and for those two weeks very few folks got to peek in on him form time under the guise of dropping off cards and flowers.
Well after the two weeks had pasted, he was pulled out of intensive care and was said to be recovering well enough for visitors. I can tell you the line out his door was.... long. And some folks said they waited hours to see him.I went with some of the guys in my shop, to offer some support and some cheer. He was very choked up and happy to see the love and support form so many of us that he asked that we say something to the rest of the folks. He asked that we please ask them to stop coming by. He was simply overwhelmed by the love and caring of his squadron and extended family. Those of you who have had military duty know what I mean.
Having heard his request, and then looking down at the card I had in my hand. I gave it to him and thought I'd excuse myself and say something nice before I left. While I was thinking of something to say at this awkward moment. This guy opens the card in front of me and reads it.
OMG... He laughed and was wracked with pain... cried some... laughed some more... rinse repeat... several more times, ouch... I felt real bad. Well my supervisor was standing there, and the next day I was standing tall in front of his desk getting reamed, nothing new I tried not to yawn.
A few more weeks, maybe a month had past. Then our squadron booster club set up a barbecue in honor, on his getting out of the hospital. I smiled at him hoping he'd forgot about the card, and I asked him how he was doing. He looks at me and smiled with an ear-to-ear grin, he gave me a hug. I was in a bit of a shock and asked him about the card.
He said it's now on his mantle above the fireplace, one of the few he kept. He plans on looking at it from time to time. Mostly when life gets him down. He says it's a life reassuring moment and a huge pick up just thinking about it. The card simply read, " I heard you were feeling a bit run down".
Any good War stories?
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Far-N-Wide
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1160
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2000 12:00 am
- Location: His Tavern of Solitude
Any good War stories?
USAFRETIRED
I had an affair with a married woman for a while (I was single at the time). She was getting pay-back for him cheating on her.
She was a lot of fun… but I’ll burn in hell for it.
She was a lot of fun… but I’ll burn in hell for it.
People will forget what you said... and people will forget what you did... but people will never forget how you made them feel.
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knightmare
- Posts: 6067
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2002 10:53 am
