[vintage_tube]

I'm gonna TC here more so than any post previous -- sorry -- bare with me.

It saddens me greatly that I am unable to attend this years RMAF next week. My Dad (step since I was 5) has undergone 2 surgeries totaling 23 hours since January for jaw bone cancer. The first surgery of 11 hours went smoothe even though prior to he had to have 4 teeth removed and during surgery another 3. He spent 2 weeks in ICU and another 10 days on the ward floor before being transferred to a rehab facility across the street for another 3 weeks (took a bone from his leg and implanted in his jaw). Had to learn to walk, and systematically, in steps, remove the tracheotomy apparatus.

Ramifications from that surgery resulted in him having an infection so bad that it opened a 'drain hole' below his jaw and as he swallowed liquid, it would not only have infectious material but also drinking liquid to escape. He came to UNC Cancer Center for a consult/2d opinion since heavy antibiotics didn't cure the infection -- was advised & he was more agreeable to after dealing with this for 8 months, to remove the bone and basically do without. Eating/chewing, after implants, could be done on the left side of his mouth.

3 weeks ago today, after a 12 plus hour operation he remains in ICU. Removal of the bone & skin grafts on his cheek (found melanoma) from forearm skin seemed to be healing fine; especially with the aide of leeches sucking blood through the grafts. Weird as hell -- and quite amazing this 2500 year old medical alternative is used in many parts of the world to help heal wounds and restore circulation in blocked blood veins. Once they open up a bite wound they secrete an anti-clotting enzyme called Hirudin into the bloodstream so that blood will keep flowing (probably $500 per leech -- medical grade of course & you thought audio cables were expensive).

Anyways he's not doing that well -- almost lost him last Sunday -- heart issues (stress/anxiety/tired of laying there, etc. -- who knows for sure). He has a do not resuscitate clause in his heath documents which we will honor. Has a Trach and is on a Vent along with a host of other tubes/devices. Glad he has Medicare and is on Tricare for Life. As like the surgery in January, we won't see a hospital bill.

He is a great guy and especially as I remember as a kid. As a young 'coastie' he ran the pistol range which was located in the basement of the US Treasury Building in Washington, DC.

As you exited the elevator on the basement floor, there were Treasury Police sitting in individual linked cages, each with loaded 12 gauge shotguns. Probably 6 or 7 cages left and right until you reached the door to the 6 or 8 lane range. Cages were loaded, stacked high with neatly wrapped bill bundles on pallets.

During my school day holiday visits, I recall shooting endlessly throughout the day, 45's, 38's, 22's at targets 25 yards away. Next to my lane, right or left were Secret Service, FBI, DC Metro Police and an occasional CIA guy in a suit. His boss called him one day and said, "Carl, you'll see these guys sign in as 'agency' -- don't worry -- let them do their shooting and assist in anyways possible like you do others. When Carl asked who was the "agency" he was told, CIA. He responded and said, 'what the hell is the CIA.' Funny.

He was on, of course on the USCG Pistol Team and also the White House Pistol Team -- always gone on weekends at matches in the VA/MD areas. I recall him coming home with either neat multicolored patches or trophies that were awarded & he placed along a wall in basement of the Riverdale house. He was proud of the weekend(s) outcome.

I have his match 45 and 22 long and cherish it greatly. Recently he visited (during the visit to UNC Clinic) and I broke out the range case - pistols, bullets, notes, targets even & of course the case mounted scope mounted on the inside. He took that unloaded 45 and dry fired it -- I never saw that pistol waver an iota -- as he squeezed the extremely touchy trigger. That was cool.

After 31 years in the USCG, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 he has had a great life. He traded in pistols & that love for something less noisy -- golf is his game and quite good at it -- single digit low handicap.

Anyways, thought I'd explain why I'm absent this year, last minute & TC and wish he pulls out of his current condition. Miracles do happen & am a firm believer.

End of life journeys do suck though and having seen battlefield & non it's quite painful to undergo for family. Wish Carl and us your best prayers.

Back onto RMAF -- 2fastdriving (Marc) will assume coordination of activities to AA members & I called Del Friscos tonight; the table next Saturday nite at 7PM is on record as reserved for you. I'll pass onto Marc your cell phone numbers and he'll take it from there.

Have fun guys -- take some pics and please drop a post.

Very Best Sirs,

Bob