"Retired" due to medical conditions. -Heart Bypass (Quintuple) -Hepatitis C (from blood transfusions in the 1970s) -Diabetes (Type II). -Kidney failure w/ MRSA complications. -Operation to remove infection at sternum above old Heart Bypass site (still in recuperation early 2014).
Other Comments:
Self taught artist (multiple media); Self taught computer skills (I liked old "Windows 3.x" and DOS); Multi-lingual (a little of this and that); Life Member of the National Rifle Association. Still like to punch paper when I can afford the Range costs. (The proud owner of a Match Grade M1A, with glass bedded stock and also an M1 Garand.)
Best Moment First visit in the hospital by my family after I returned to the States.
-------------------------- Also, building and detail painting plastic models of ships and aircraft for recreation and self-therapy. I built a large model of USS George Washington (nuclear sub) with tons of minute interior detail painted. Did many aircraft also, principally WWII fighters of all sides, with accurate paint schemes, interior cockpit detail, and pilot's flight uniforms. One morning during his rounds, the Chief of Orthopedic Service, a Navy Captain, noted the model of the submarine on the window sill where I kept it as I was worked on it. He asked if I would consider "donating" my finished work to the small kids recuperating down on the Childrens' ward, who were in need of a change of focus from their pain and problems. I agreed and proceeded to make many models after that with the kids in mind. Other Marines and Sailors on ward began to contribute to the "refocusing operation", choosing their favorite plastic models (cars or whatever) to work on and paint, giving them a purpose other than mope and gripe. I felt proud to have helped initiate a mutually beneficial action for all involved.
-------------------------------------- Sneaking in Pizzas from the on-base "Rathskeller" EM club for guys on ward who weren't ambulatory. Lots of snooping and pooping to get past those duty nurses and corpsmen with a highly aromatic, gooey, greasy pizza in a big square thin cardboard box. (I'm sure they knew it was going on.) It was worth the risk to see the guys trapped in hospital beds wolfing down their illicit treasure of hot Pepperoni pizza after the bland hospital food.
One guy in particular made it worth the effort. He was a LCpl who had been a Motor T driver. His fuel tanker truck, part of a convoy of vehicles, triggered a landmine and blew up. He had been burned over 70% of his body, with 40% third degree burns, and had permanently blackened fingernails. He could barely get the slices of pie to his face with his claw-like fingers, but he was determined, getting stringy drips of cheese all over his grinning face in the process. That was one gutsy Marine, who deserved fresh hot pizza for fighting to regain his life again.
Worst Moment Undergoing elective surgery (yes, I requested this), to have my tongue cut loose from the floor of my mouth, where it had "healed" as one solid mass. If I had not done so, I would still be mumbling all my words today. It hurt like hell since the anesthesia had to be injected in the tip of my tongue. They couldn't safely give me enough to completely deaden the nerve endings, and didn't want to knock me out for the operation. I could feel the scalpel slicing as the surgeons cut the tongue free, and the needle as they sutured the incision. I was happy when they were finished.
Chain of Command Naval Medical personnel of superior rank. Doctors and Nurses (Officers) Hospital Corpsmen (Enlisted but higher rank)
Other Memories On-ward 6 months then transferred to out-patient Marine Barracks attached to Hospital until end of active service.
