Rare Photo of Mohawk with Christmas Lights Found

In digging through some boxes of photos recently, I found this rare photo of a B-model all festooned with holiday lights!

Because our faith as Christians is absolutely and completely rooted in our Jewish heritage over two thousand years ago, I thought it is appropriate to share with you the prophesy from Isaiah 7:14:  "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign - The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Merry Christmas and  Happy Holidays to all my brothers who served with the 225th Aviation Company so many years ago!

Editor's note: My son Tim reworked this photo I took of Phantomhawk 13 in late 1969 for me a couple of years ago.  Steve Sachs told me that he actually wrapped one up in some barbed wire when he ran off the end of the runway once, but it wasn't nearly as festive a sight!

The Cancer Consults: The Next Step

Karin and I met with Dr. Jay Zink, a robotic laparoscopic urology physician at Group Health in Seattle, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and had a very good conversation about the pros and cons of having a laparoscopic prostatectomy.  One of the questions I asked him was “What has been your outcome success; in other words, how’s your batting average?”  He told us that if I were asking about men who had prostates four times normal size, it would not be really very good.  But, on the other hand, if I were asking about a man in my situation, the outcome would be very good because mine had not enlarged and would be a fairly straightforward surgical procedure.

We also asked about the advantages/disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery.  Two things stood out for me:  1) the short-term recovery time is shorter in terms of wound healing time because the incisions (there will tree small holes) are more precise.  And 2) blood loss is considerably less with this surgery (about 2-3 tablespoons) compare with regular open surgery (2-3 pints).  The longer-term recovery is about the same; I’m planning on taking a few weeks off from work at Seattle Children’s to let everything heal up and return to normal as much as possible.

On the way home Karin said that we should talk and pray about our decision over the weekend and then decide.  I said right there in the car that I had decided to go with Dr. Zink; she thought that was a good decision.  So, I have surgery scheduled for February 3, 2012.  That gives us time to enjoy the holidays with friends and family without worrying about making this decision.

So the saga will continue in a couple of months.  I’ll let you know when the next installment of my adventure will be published on this blog.  Thanks to all of you who have been keeping Karin and me in your prayers.  We can certainly feel them daily!  And we are assured that the Lord is still in the middle of our circumstances, as he has been from the beginning.  Meanwhile, everyone please enjoy your preparations as you get ready for the holidays!

Doug Clark's Photos as a Movie

I set Doug's photos to music so I could publish all 25 of them.  (Soon to come will be the Las Vegas Reunion photos.)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Lost Then Found!

Doug Clark, another of our intrepid 84G20s at Phu Hiep has been found! I don't think he thought he was ever lost, but a lot of us sure did, because we haven't seen him or talked with him for 4 decades or more! I got a call from Luke Christ the other evening, and in our conversation he said that he had looked Doug up in the white pages for Georgia. Anyway, I wrote an email to Doug and he sent these pictures of our home away from home so many years ago. Gary Chambers is in some of them and you will probably recognize others, too. If you recognize someone, please send me an email at darraghsplace@gmail.com and let me know! Thanks!

Doug, it's great to make contact with you! Maybe we will see you in Branson for the Mohawk Reunion in 2012! I sure hope so!

Steve Kelley Photos

Steve Kelly sent me some photos that he thought you'd like to see. If you recognize someone, please send me an email at darraghsplace@gmail.com and let me know so we publish their name and hopefully make contact with them. Thanks!

And thanks Steve for sending these wonderful pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Duck Walks Into A Pub

Duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich.
The 
barman looks at him and says, 

"Hang on! You're a duck."



"I see your eyes are working," replies the duck.



"And you can talk!" exclaims the barman.



"I see your ears are working, too," says the duck. 

"Now if you don't mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?"



"Certainly, sorry about that," 

says the barman as he pulls the duck's pint.

 "It's just we don't get many ducks in this pub. What are you doing round 
this way?"



"I'm working on the building site across the road," explains the duck.

"I'm a plasterer."

The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it. So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats
 his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves.  

The same thing happens for two weeks.

Then one day the circus comes to
town. The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to 
him 

"You're with the circus, aren't you?  Well, I know this duck that could be 
just brilliant in your circus. He talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches,
reads the newspaper and everything!"



"Sounds marvelous,” says the ringmaster, handing over his business card.
  "Get him to give me a call."

So the next day when the duck comes into the pub the barman says,

"Hey Mr. Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really
good money."



"I'm always looking for the next job,"  says the duck. "Where is it?"



"At the circus," says the barman.

"The circus?"  repeats the duck.

"That's right,"  replies the barman.



"The circus?"  the duck asks again. “With the big tent?"



"Yeah," the barman replies.



"With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in
caravans?" says the duck.



"Of course," the barman replies.



"And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the
middle?" persists the duck.



"That's right!" says the barman.



The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says .. . .

"What the hell would they want with a plasterer??!"

(Editor note: I got this from Jim Taylor a few days ago.)

The Cancer Consults

On Friday, October 21^st Karin and I met with my urologist to discuss the options to get rid of the cancer from my prostate and ultimately from my body.  I gotta tell you it was a generally crappy 24 hours before our meeting at 4pm, with the stress of anticipation of even meeting with the doctor and again facing this thing head on.  Karin and I had come up with a list of ten or so questions to ask the doctor, ranging from my outcome goal of being able to see my grandchildren grow up to what will be the best results from which treatments that are available to me.

As the doctor began the consultation, our anxiety began to dissipate because he was very clear in his explanations and frank in his assessment of possible outcomes.  He used the illustration of a Predator drone attacking a hut filled with terrorists in the desert.  The drone launches a missile and destroys the hut and all the occupants in it.  Yay!  Well, the hut is equal to my prostate and the missile is equal to the surgery that removes it.  However, there is always the possibility that if there was one terrorist out in the outhouse relieving himself, he will survive the attack.  That one guy is equal to the small chance that all the cancer may not be removed with surgery.  But that is always a possibility no matter what treatment plan we use.  There is the chance that the cancer might come back after treatment.

We also met with a radiology oncologist on Thursday morning, October 20^th, to discuss the possibility of radiation therapy.  There are two types available: EBRT (external beam radiation therapy) and PSI (prostate seed implant).  The EBRT would require as many as 40 or so treatments (which equals 5 treatments a week for about 8 weeks); the PSI involves the implantation of radioactive seeds that release a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the prostate with limited damage to surrounding tissues into the prostate. The implants remain in place permanently, and become biologically inert (no longer useful) after a period of months. 

I’ve decided against radiation therapy for a couple of reasons.  One is that if it doesn’t work, radiation cannot be attempted again … that card has been used.  Surgery would be the only option, but that isn’t really a very good alternative either because the prostate wouldn’t be as good a candidate because its physiology would have been altered by the radiation.

The other reason, and the most important one in my mind, is that with seed implantation I would literally have to stay away from my grandchildren for the duration of the radioactive output of the seed.  This is simply that I would be radioactive, emitting radioactivity that could harm the kids.  We’re talking a year or maybe more.  What kind of a life would that be for them or me?  Not so great, to say the least!

I have talked with a few guys who have had either type of therapy, and the outcomes have been good in most instances.  So I am confident that our decision is sound and Lord-directed.  That’s the clincher, that I have a chance at a reasonable quality of life, even though the recovery time may be longer, I can still have Jake, Maddy, Charlotte and Elise around me and not be worried if a dose of radiation from me will harm them. 

Jesus Christ has been involved in my life since high school, nearly fifty years ago now.  I am convinced that he is in the middle of this cancer situation too.  I am trusting him through this part of the adventure that I’ve been on for the last sixty-four years.  Stay tuned as this saga continues!

The Beaver Song

Every day on the way to work at Seattle Children's I pass by the Lake Washington terminal for Kenmore Air, which flies Beavers exclusively all around the Northwest and southeastern Britich Columbia.  I often think of the trust U-6 Beaver we had at Phu Hiep.  This, unfortunately, is the only picture I have of that ole workhorse.

Well, George Drago sent me this link to a fun, great video that I thought you'd all enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w_v0k57KhE

Tha Adventure Continues ...

I’ve been thinking on how I wanted to write this next entry of my “Adventure”, since I told you last time that I was to go in to my urologist and have a biopsy to see if I had prostate cancer.  Well, on October 5^th the biopsy was taken … not as unpleasant an experience that I had imagined, but I wouldn’t recommend it just for something to do if you have a couple of days off!  That was Wednesday, and Thursday I had decided to take off in case I was in any pain or discomfort (I would recommend taking the day after off).  Friday evening the doctor called me to let me know that he had received the pathology report, and it showed that I have an adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

I told Karin that the doctor called and that I had some bad news and some great news.  The bad news, of course, was that the test had come back positive for cancer (there’s that “c” word again), but that the great news was that I was a good candidate for surgery or radiation treatment.  Now I’m just new at this cancer stuff, but as I understand it I fall somewhere in the mid-range of severity, and that it is treatable!  The other great news was that I knew that somehow God was in the middle of this whole thing.

So, the load of unknowing had been lifted somewhat off our shoulders, but I’ll let you know that it is still not all that easy, as I am sure many of you who have experienced a potentially life threatening disease or situation already know.  I have my “up” moments and my “down” moments to be sure. There is a new song by Laura Story called “Blessings” that has really helped me in the past month or so.  She is talking to God when she sings in the chorus:

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops


What if Your healing comes through tears


What if a thousand sleepless nights


Are what it takes to know You’re near


What if trials of this life are

Your mercies in disguise

Our raindrops have caused some tears and some sleepless nights, but, like I said in the previous article, Karin and I know that God through Jesus Christ (that big “C” word I spoke of) is near and involved in every circumstance in our lives, including that awful little “c” word!


I have also applied to the VA (through my Service Officer at the Disable American Veterans) for additional Special Monthly Compensation for prostate cancer as a presumed disease due to exposure to Agent Orange.  It's an easy process.  Take advantage of the VA if you haven't, you have earned it!

I’ll keep you posted as I begin treatment after we get back from the OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunion in Lost Wages, Nevada, next month.  The urologist said we would have to wait about 6 weeks after the biopsy to allow the wounds to completely heal before beginning treatment.  The adventure continues!

So, I encourage you, if you have not looked at a Bible in years, or even if you have, read the Gospel of St. John (it’s available online too!) to get to know Jesus.  He really is worth knowing, believe me! 

And Now for Something Completely Different...

I hope John Cleese will forgive me for stealing his famous line from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, but I thought you all would like to see this video in the first link from Jim Taylor and then hear the audio from Lutheran Airlines in the second link below…

Look at stills, and then watch the video on a full screen view.  (Tighten your seat belts)  The language you hear is the one spoken in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.  These glider pilots are unbelievable!  No power and flying like the Blue Angels!  Click below and view the stills followed by the video.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1265891/Hold-think-youre-going-Skydiver-grabs-gliders-tail-fin-fly-2-100-metres-100mph.html

We’ve all flown commercially and are familiar with the flight attendants’ instructions that are given as the aircraft taxis for takeoff.  Well, click below and listen to this wonderful speech (no pictures with this one) that was recorded on a recent Lutheran Airlines flight…  My friend Karen Wygant at Seattle Children’s Hospital sent this one to me.

http://dauckster.posterous.com/lutheran-airlines-fg-audio-only

The Adventure Continues with Two "C" Words

In my last blog posting in January 2011 (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) I ended with the sentence “I was amazed at the speed with which God had answered my prayer of desperation!”  Well, fast forward 40 years or so years to 2011.  A lot of great things have happened in those intervening forty years…I have a wife of 38 years, 3 great sons and their wives.  Four wonderful grandkids.  More friends that a guy should deserve.  A good job with a great purpose.  The list can go on and on.

            In January during a physical for a life insurance policy I was applying for, the results of a blood test for blood glucose came back with an A1C level that indicated that I had Type II diabetes (what they used to call Adult Onset Diabetes).  My own doctor had been watching my blood glucose levels for that previous year or so and was concerned that I was at risk to be a Type II diabetic.  Well, sure enough…that what I was now!  I have been watching it closely by eating better and exercising more by running and going to Gold’s Gym regularly, as well as having been prescribed oral medication that I take twice a day.

            In January I applied with the VA for special monthly compensation for Type II Diabetes due to Agent Orange exposure during my time in Vietnam; the Phu Hiep area was sprayed with Agent Orange area during the time I was there between February 1968 and June 1970 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/agentorange/chi-091204-agentorange-map,0,1959438.htmlpage).  In June I began receiving 20% disability compensation from the VA.

            A couple of weeks ago I had a routine blood panel done and was very surprised to find out that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level was higher than the recommended level of between 0 and 4.0.  On Friday September 23^rd I had an appointment with a urologist who recommended that I have a biopsy taken to determine what kind of prostrate cancer I have.  (The elevated PSA level is enough of a symptom flag that a biopsy is an appropriate in determining what the next step(s) should be in treatment.)

            To be honest, for about two weeks the “c” word (“cancer”) was right at the front of my mind during every waking hour.  But gradually I accepted that the fact that I probably have prostrate cancer, no matter if it is benign or otherwise, was indeed a fact.  Karin and I decided that we would face this head on, together, and with the knowledge that God is indeed in control of this just as He has been in control in every aspect of my life from the get go.  I was talking earlier today with a friend of mine who I’ve reconnected with in the past few months after 4 decades since the last time we saw each other.   I shared with Dave that it has been amazing to me to see how God has kept us all in contact with each other after so many years!  I’m absolutely astounded at the circumstances that were begun and orchestrated when I was 20 or 21 years old at Phabulous Phu Hiep by the Sea that has led to me writing this note tonight!  No one can tell me that there is no God, simply because I have experienced him in the most profound ways through my friendship with you guys who I served with in the Army so many years ago.

            This brings me back to the “c” word.  Yes, the “c” word can mean “cancer”, a scary, chilling, maybe even terrifying word.

            But I know another “C” word that is filled with hope, love and peace…that word is Christ!  I met Jesus Christ a little over 40 years ago at a coffeehouse in Bellevue, Washington, and He changed my life and is continuing to change it daily…and that change has always proven to be for the better.  And I’m betting that this prostate thing will be another change for the better. 

            In a capsule form this is what I know:  I know God loves me and you.  I know we all will live forever.  Every one of us.  If I know Jesus Christ as my personal savior and lord (and I do!) then I will live forever in Heaven.  I know I if I didn’t know him, in other words rejected his offer of unconditional love, I would live out eternity in utter aloneness, separated from God forever.  I know Hell is not living with others in sin and fire, as some have portrayed it.  It is being utterly alone.  My vote is for living in Heaven forever, for eternity.

            Here is a little more that I know…no matter what the outcome of the biopsy, God is in the middle of these circumstances, all part of the continuing adventure of my life.  I was talking with my good friend and brother Tony Chapa earlier today and he reminded me of the a verse in the Old Testament in which God says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future….” (Jeremiah 29:11)  So I have no reason to be afraid of the future.

            Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I hope that you take it to heart; I would really like to see all of you in Heaven!  If you have questions, please feel free to write me, or phone me (my number is on the OV-1 Mohawk Association website under the Board of Directors). 

(Be sure to look into reading "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn ISBN-13: 978-0842379427, it's a wonderful read with some great insights.)

Several That Have Been Sent To Me

Here are some items that have been sent to me. I thought that you might enjoy looking at them.

OV-1 Aileron Roll
This was posted on the OV-1 Mohawk Facebook page by Rober Mendoza of the Argentine Army. It was taken at Camp Humphries, Korea at the 1986 Memorial Day celebration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28IIVn-cGlQ

Top 10 Air Forces of the World
Our friend George Drago, the one who was in the left seat on my last mission in Vietnam, sent this to me. It's about 5+ minutes long and well worth it! Be sure to turn your sound on.

Great photos presentation made by an Israeli group and I suspect some of the rankings will surprise you. It did me.

I was especially surprised that China did not even make the top ten, but then with that many people maybe they don’t need to.

Note what we spend to train each USAF pilot.

...and before you complain about military spending -- consider it part of your Life Insurance Policy.

http://fun.mivzakon.co.il/video/israel/10460/במקום_4_בעולם.html

An Osprey Fishing
Jim Taylor and Terry Carlson sent this link recently:
http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html

Air Swimmers
Jim Taylor sent this one…
http://www.wimp.com/airswimmers/


They Fly By Night
I don’t remember our birds leaving trails like this! Again, turn your sound up and enjoy!
http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1103012503001

And finally….

Semper Fi Baby!
Steve Bogner, fellow Photo Lab Tech of the 225th, sent this wonderful picture:
I hope the picture will go through for you - of this Army soldier in Iraq with his tiny 'plot' of grass in front of his tent. It's heartwarming! Here is a soldier in Iraq, stationed in a big sand box.

He asked his wife to send him dirt (U.S. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil -- to bring them good luck.

Of all the things he could have asked his wife to send to him from home...........he asked for American soil. WOW.

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of scissors.. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Upon receiving this, say a little prayer for our soldiers that give and give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.

Thanks, everyone, for sending these!  Keep 'em coming!

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

MAJ Bill Page

CPT Steve Hammons

Our friends Mark Nestor (Association Membership Director) and Chris Walker (Association Reunion Director) alerted me to this article about that ugly but very beautiful warbird we flew in and took care of those many years ago in Vietnam and elsewhere.  Two of our Blackhawk/Phantomhawk comrades, Bill Page and Steve Hammons, are prominently featured in it too!  

Thanks Bill and Steve for sharing you stories!

Click the link to Warbirds Magazine and enjoy!

Our National Symbol

Around 6:45am last Saturday morning I saw the most wonderful sight, though not so unusual around the Puget Sound region nowadays.  As I was driving into Seattle Children’s Hospital heading to work to finish up some tasks as I prepared to begin a two-week vacation, I decided to go across Lake Washington from the Eastside instead of around the north end of the lake.  As I was nearing the Seattle end of the Highway 520 Floating Bridge (also known as the Evergreen Point Bridge), I saw our national symbol sitting on the top of a light standard watching the wetlands for his breakfast.  Highway 520 bisects the Washington Arboretum, which a 230-acre park created in 1934 and located on the edge of Lake Washington jointly managed by the University of Washington and the City of Seattle.

What a wonderful way to start the day!   Seeing a majestic wild bald eagle while driving into a major American city!  They are not an uncommon sight around here; there are several nesting pairs residing along the shores of the lake in our urban and suburban neighborhoods.

On a related note, Jim Taylor sent this photo from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, as have several of you, taken on a June morning at the Minneapolis National Cemetery.  If you have not seen it before, it kind of takes you breath away.

Photos from Bob Coveney

I got the following email from Bob Coveney a couple of weeks ago.  Bob was in the 225th in late 1970, so I never got a chance to meet him overseas.  Bob, I hope you will be in Las Vegas in November!

Click on link below to see his wonderful photo collection!  Thanks for sharing them with us!

Gordy,

I just received a forwarded email from Bob Heckendorn about your new posting of your last flight in a Mohawk on the 225th web site.  I have a bunch of pictures from my time in the 225th on Picasa that are open for viewing to the public.  Below is the link to see them and you are welcome to post the site on your 225th Observer Blog so that others may view them.  Thanks for your efforts in keeping the memory of the 225th's time in Vietnam alive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/bobcoveney/225thSurveillanceAirplaneCompany

Bob Coveney