Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Aviation Nation 2011 at Nellis AFB

Click on the play button on the video below to see a short piece I put together when we visited Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas during the OV-1 Mohawk Association's 22nd Annual Reunion in November 2011.


Aviation Nation 2011 from Gordy Darragh on Vimeo.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Some Links Recently Sent to Me...

The following links and story were sent to me and I would like to share them with you.  Enjoy!

Roger Kent set this note to me: “Have your sound on! It is really great!  This is titled "Stethoscope." You won't have a clue what it is about till the end.”

Ed Belanger sent this note and link; he said in his email that “God is Good.....All the time!  All the time.....God is good!”
[This video] is taken from a British series where a guy called Gareth Malone takes a
 group of people and turns them into a choir. This time he's taken a group of military
 wives whose husbands are all away in Afghanistan and turned them into
 a choir. Gareth looks about 16yrs old but is actually in his mid-30s
 and a Choirmaster for the London Symphony Orchestra, among other
 things. They wrote a song based on excerpts from letters written by
 the couples whilst apart and this is the beautiful result. The single
 is out in the UK, proceeds going to military charities. 

Jim Taylor sent this photographic tribute to some unsung heroes of the 9/11 attacks…  When you get to the website, scroll down to see their pictures.

And finally, Walt Kalohi (Henry Kalohi’s brother) sent this story.  Be sure to read it all the way to surprise ending.

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out.

His old Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. 



Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. 



He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.' 



Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. 



As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. 



Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.  Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past.  He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. 



He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.' 



He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. 



A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude.

The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan...

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred-dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. 



Then she noticed something written on the napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm   helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.'

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'

There is an old saying 'What goes around comes around.' Today I sent you this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on. Let this light shine. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes puts people in our lives for a reason. 

Don't delete it, don't return it. Simply, pass this on to a friend.


Friday, February 17, 2012

The Adventure: The Pathology Report

Sorry to have taken so long to let you all know the Pathology Report.  Seems there was a computer problem and the results couldn’t be transmitted from the lab to my urologist.

Anyway, by the time I had a phone conversation with my MD two days ago, this had been fixed and he had the report.  The bottom line is that all the cancer was removed during the surgery!  Yea!  The Lord has been so good to me and my family!  I can't help but praise him for his faithfulness!  And now for some details you might be interested in….

My prostate was larger than originally thought, and it was about 40% cancerous.  My original Gleason Score was revised upwards from 3+3=6 to 3+4=7 indicating that the cancer was more aggressive than previously thought.  (From Wikipedia: “The Gleason Grading system is used to help evaluate the prognosis of men with prostate cancer. Together with other parameters, it is incorporated into a strategy of prostate cancer staging, which predicts prognosis and helps guide therapy. A Gleason score is given to prostate cancer based upon its microscopic appearance.”)  The surgical team also removed some lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread, but the lab results were negative, a very good sign indeed!

All in all, my MD said that my prognosis for full recovery was good!  We will have one more piece of the puzzle around the middle of March when I have a PSA (prostate serum antigen) lab test done.  The goal is for that number to be zero; it takes about six weeks for PSA to be eliminated out of the bloodstream.  I’ll let you know what that result is as soon as I know it.

Here are links to the previous articles that I have posted about “The Adventure” in case you haven’t had a chance to read them.  They are arranged in reverse chronological order, most recent is is first.  The last link is to a map from the Chicago Tribune indicating where Agent Orange was sprayed; as you can see Tuy Hoa-Phu Hiep-Phu Yen Province was certainly covered liberally during our time there!

Thanks, as always, for your thoughts and prayers!  Meanwhile, the Adventure continues……

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Book Review


One thing that I really did not like to do when I was in Junior High or High School was writing book reports.  They were the most boring things that were ever invented!  Since I've been married, and especially since Karin and I raised three boys, I have learned to enjoy reading for pleasure.  So here I am going to do what I absolutely hated so many years ago ("Jaws" theme music goes here) -- write a book review (that's the same as "report" but spelled differently).


This came about as result of a recommendation I received from Dave Kimmel who sent me this email on February 3rd:
Gordy, My name is Dave Kimmel, I served with the 225th in the early 70's. I wanted you to know that my prayers will be with you today, it is 8AM here in PA, and I am praying for success and a recovery that will put you back in cockpit.  I have had some health issues, and I found that it was so hard to pray when there is so much going on after and during your recovery. With that, two tips; ask for prayer, and a book I just read, "FLIGHT TO HEAVEN", Capt. Dale Black, I found it to be a blessing in so many ways, as I'm sure you will too. Brothers in Christ,  Dave


I ordered this for my Kindle a few days ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I would recommend it for anyone who likes a good story with some suspense, surprises, inspiration, and life-changing moments.  This true story rang true with me regarding my recent surgery, and how much work is involved just to regain the normal routine of life.  I, of course, have not come lose to having experienced near what Capt. Dale Black experienced, but I have had a very tiny taste of what's involved in the work of recovery.  This is a quick read, only 189 pages, but well worth the time!  For any of us who have flown, I hope his story will inspire you.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Adventure: Post-Op


First of all I want to THANK EVERYONE for the wonderful of support and love you have shown Karin and me during this amazing adventure with my prostate cancer.  This has truly been a life changing experience for me in many ways some of which I have described in earlier blogs.

We arrived at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, WA, at zero-dark-thirty (actually about 5:30am), checked in and went to the surgery prep area.  Karin and I prayed together, we kissed and then I was taken to the OR on a gurney just before 7:30am…the only thing I remember is going through the double doors.  The next thing I remember is waking up to an absolutely brilliant day in my room with Karin and my oldest son Pete at my bedside.  I was a little sore around the middle, but certainly not in excruciating pain.  This was due in part to the meds I had been given, but also because I had only five little incisions (maybe 2 inches each max) spaced across my abdomen, not one long one as in open surgery.  I wouldn’t recommend that this procedure be done if you had nothing better to do on a day off, but if you have to have to have a radical prostatectomy, this is the way to have it.

I felt good enough over the next few hours to make a few phone calls to let people that I was out of surgery.  I didn’t do too much over the next 24 hours, except watch TV, look at the Bellevue skyline, have the RNs check on me periodically, and get up and walk around the medical floor a couple of times with tubes hooked up to me.  My surgeon’s associate came in to see me on Saturday morning, and after his assessment said I could go home later that day.  A wonderful nursing and tech staff took great care of me at the hospital.  I was home by about 3 o’clock on Saturday!  And I’m very glad to be home and to have the time to recover, sit watching old movies on TCM with a fire in the pellet stove, with our little puggle (his name is Mr. Puggles) next to me on the couch, and our big lab mix named Holly on the other end.  Karin is taking great care of me, and Tim and Meg brought dinner on Sunday.  Nick came by with a card that Jacob (our 5 year old grandson) made for me.  


I have a follow-up appointment on Thursday, Feb. 9th; I should know what the pathology reports say about how much cancer was there and if it was all removed.  This is the next part of the adventure that the Lord and I are on.  He is still very much in the middle of this and I am very thankful indeed.  In the Bible God says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)  This was Moses speaking to Israel as they were about to cross into the Promised Land, but these words can also apply to us if we know the Lord.  He certainly has not left us during this time of trial!  And He will continue to be with us, too!

Thanks again for all your love and support for Karin and me over the past few months, please know that it very much appreciated!

Monday, February 6, 2012

A Couple of Videos and One Photo


This is a picture that SP4 Steve Bogner took from the water tower that overlooked out photo labs at Phu Hiep.  I had forgotten how rusty the roof over the portable photo labs was.   Thanks Steve for sending this!


Jim Taylor sent this link that has some great footage of vintage WWII aircraft at the Duxford 2011 air show.  Enjoy!
“If you're a piston-engine WWII aircraft nut, as I am, you absolutely have to go to the URL at bottom here.  I kid you not, I nearly wet my pants.

When was the last time you were at any kind of air show and saw the following all flying together and where you could actually hear the unique "voices" (sound) of their engines both taxiing & in flight?
                ME-109s
                Spitfires
                Hawker Hurricanes
                Hawker Tempests & Sea Furys
                F-4U Corsairs
                P-38s
                P-40s
                P-51s
                B-17 bomber
                Lancaster bomber
                C-47 Skytrains
                A1-E Skyraider (remember, this was developed for WWII)
Missing were a few (e.g., Fw-190, ME-262, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell)”

Walt Kalohi, Henry Kalohi’s brother, sent me this link about the largest boatlift in history that occurred on September 11, 2001.  I had not heard about this before.  It’s amazing how Americans pull together when it counts!  This is his note to me:
“This video of events during 9/11 will ‘grab’ you.  Eleven years have passed since that terrible day and this is the first I’ve known and seen of what took place on the waterfront of Manhattan .  An evacuation of a half million civilians by water craft – the only way out for those who were there.  Quite likely, this may be the first time you’ve seen this video of such a major evacuation and perhaps, like me, even had any idea that such took place.  The fear of those who were there and waiting to be rescued had to be tremendous.  Also tremendous was the gallant effort of those boat and ship Captains who moved them to safety.   It might be hard to watch for some.  It’s well worth the time. Absolutely unbelievable.”

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Adventure: Surgery


      If you have been following this blog over the past few months you know that I have prostate cancer, presumably a result of exposure to Agent Orange while I was in Vietnam in from 1968 to 1970.  Tomorrow (Friday, February 3rd) I’ll be having surgery to remove my prostate and, hopefully, all the cancer that may be in my body.
     In preparation for this major event in my life, I have worked over the past few weeks getting my affairs in order.  This is something that I have been meaning to do for a long time, but have been putting it off because that was the easy thing to do.  I said to myself “Self, why put it off any longer?”  I found a website that had a listing of the essential items that should be listed such as where important documents are located, names and contact information of family members, names and phone numbers of friends, financial information, “final wish” instructions and details and any other important information. 
Having cancer and making this list has also prompted me to reflect on, to evaluate, my life, the past, the present and the future.  I have not lived a perfect life, a sinless life (only Jesus Christ did that!), but the Lord has blessed me in so many ways that I could not begin to count them!  And he has forgiven me, because he said he would if I asked him to do so.  Jesus’ forgiveness is spoken of in the book of Isaiah (1:18) when God says “Come now, and let us reason together”, says the LORD, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  What a promise!
      The other thing that has struck me in the past few weeks is just to try to be kinder to those around me, to handle stress more effectively and not to get stressed more than necessary over the little everyday things that happen, like goofy drivers or that slow person ahead of you in line.  I can tell you that it is a better way to live!  I’m not looking forward to surgery tomorrow, but I know that the outcome is going to be okay because God is right in the middle of my life, just as he was when I was in Phabulous Phu Hiep four-plus decades ago!  And he hasn’t let me down yet!
      Look for the next installment of my adventure that will be posted in a few days.