Posted on 06/28/2007 10:27:38 PM PDT by 60Gunner
My dad flew in the Navy in attack jets. He flew multiple tours over Vietnam, was shot down once (made it out okay) and crashed off the carrier once (made it out that time, too). He retired with a chestful of medals, many of which he won multiple times. He was a scrappy, 5'8" wiry terrier of a guy, a Golden Gloves bantamweight boxer in his youth. He left home when he was 16 and lied about his age to get into the Navy. He became a nurse after retiring from the Navy, specializing in Geriatrics throughout his career. He was a warrior and he was a minister of mercy. I knew almost nothing about his heroics, trials, ordeals, defeats and triumphs until after his death from cancer in 2001, when I "inherited" his service records and papers.
He is more of a hero now to me than he was in life. And he was my number one hero in life.
Dad always missed flying. He spoke often of his love for it: the freedom, the noise, the speed, the smell of jet exhaust, the thrill of the catapult shot, the sense of duty and honor he carried with him to the grave. Even after the Navy forced him out of the cockpit, he still loved flight.
I caught the bug myself. I wanted to be a Naval Aviator... but not enough to work hard in school. The closest I got to slipping the surly bonds of earth was when I slipped the surly bonds of a C-130 as I, along with 60-odd other paratroopers, were unceremoniously shat out of the "Herky Bird's" tail end. Bird droppings, indeed.
I often flew with a friend in his private plane. The moment we broke ground, he'd tap me on the knee and say, "You got 'er." I flew the small single engine plane around the Puget Sound, banking along the clouds, navigating by way of familiar landmarks and the "concrete compass" (the Interstate highway) below us. As the sun slid toward the horizon and the shadows grew long, we would wing our way home. When we slid into the final leg, my friend would say, "I got 'er" and land us safely.
I never got a chance to get my own pilot's license. I still want to, but it isn't a priority right now, and I haven't got the time.
But when I became a nurse, the thought crossed my mind: Why not become a flight nurse? I shelved the idea, of course.
But I have a friend who, it turns out, trains flight nurses for the local life flight organization. We ended up talking about flight nursing and I mentioned my dream of flight, but ended by saying that I doubted if I could ever be one at this stage in my life.
My friend laughed, "Why the hell NOT!?"
"I'm forty-two!" I replied rather defensively. "I have a wife and kids. I don't have time to go for that now."
"Crap. Nonsense," my friend retorted. How old do you think the average Life Flight nurse is?"
"I dunno," I said, preparing myself for an answer that would make me look like a fool.
"Late thirties to mid-fifties- even older, if you are in good shape."
"Really?" I asked, not daring to hope.
"Really. Go for it!" He said.
Well, I talked to my wife about it tonight. She snorted, "Why not!? You always wanted to fly, didn't you?" I guess that means she has given me her blessing.
I wonder if I'll get my own helmet? Gee, that'd be cool!
ER Nursing stories follow-that-dream ping!!!
Get another designation other than “nurse”. Your buddies will never let you live it now.
Go for it.
Great piece, go for it and good luck!
so if some people can start nursing at that age, why shouldn't you go for flight nursing.....good luck..
For heaven’s sake, go for it.
So take the chance, what do you have to lose?
Go for it, and Godspeed! :-)
Except for the time when they were stuck in India for five days until the company could scrape up the $10K bribe needed before they were allowed to depart.
Get up and get out there and on your way. It’s never too late.
I remember my dad taking me out to the airport when I was, maybe 4 or 5. He would point out Taylorcrafts, Pipers, maybe even a Beechcraft Bonanza on a small town dirt runway. I shared my dad’s love for aviation and vowed someday I would learn to fly.
My friends had told me I would never get a Pilot’s License. I wouldn’t be able to pass the required physical. I had one good eye (the other is blind) with glasses. I am hard of hearing and required hearing aids to even compete with “normal people”!
It was when I was 33 and financially able when I dared to try. I petitioned the FAA for permission to take flight lessons. Got it and flew until I soloed (1968). I bought a Cessna 150 and had a blast! I never had an accident and enjoyed many hours of flight between Illinois and Nebraska. Also in Texas and around.
Got involved in building aircraft. Even rebuilt the engine in my 150. Helped a friend build a VariEze and flew in it! Being a member in the local EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) helped maintain an interest in all facets of aviation and met many other pilots.
During all that time I married and had kids. I worked as an engineer until retirement.
Now I have 8 grandkids and at the age of 71, I reckon I have time to take some of them out to the airport and point out “There’s a Piper. Oh, look at the Bonanza!”
I wouldn’t mind being an air transport pilot for an airline but I couldn’t pass the physical but I had a blast with my little airplane.
Gunner, what’s holding you up?
Go for it! You won’t get any younger!
GO for it!!!
Make it and I will chip in a Fiver for your very own helmet:-)
Regards and Good Luck
alfa6 ;>}
After 25 years in IT, at age 50 I returned to school for an AAS in Respiratory Therapy. Graduated last month (age 52) Magnum cum Laude, passed the national boards this month.
Yep, it can be done.
Thanks for adding me to your list. I’m 50 years old and never graduated from college, but this year I did what I had been thinking about doing for several years - I’m going back to school & working on a degree in nursing. I love it!
I wish I had done it when I first started thinking about it - I would be a nurse already - but it’s never too late! I say go for it - life’s too short to not live it to the fullest every chance you get.
Thanks. You are a good writer.
Go for it
You already know how to handle emergency situations...now you just will do it in the AIR, on a noisey helicopter/plane....you will continue to save lives and make a difference!
GOOD LUCK...keep us posted! :)
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