I Wish I Had...

[BrokenolMarine]

Every morning, when I open my eyes and slowly roll out of bed, it sounds like bubble wrap popping.
I'm not sleeping on bubble wrap, it's my joints... I pushed my body in two point of the spear careers and I'm paying for it now. I don't regret a minute of either, but the bill has come due. I sound like one of those cartoon robots that they forgot to oil.

As I sit back and drink my morning coffee in the mornings, I look out the window and enjoy the start of the day. I have time to look back at my life and my career and I often watch as Miss Tina goes out to do her morning routine, caring for whatever animals are in need. I got to DO a lot of things most folks can only dream of, but I can also look back and think about the few things I wish I HAD gotten to do.... there are a few.

I always wanted to jump from a perfectly good airplane. I flew in a number of training missions, and was often on the open ramp when the rest of the stick jumped, but wasn't "part" of the stick. I had offers... SEALS and RECON both.. but could never get approval from command to make the jumps. By the time I could afford to make a private jump after I got OUT of the Corps, my orthopedic surgeon said I'd have to find another doc if I did. Wasn't worth it.

I always wanted to fly in a fast mover and/or a classic fighter. My career was spent in Helicopters and I earned my wings, but I wanted to go supersonic and/or do a couple barrel rolls in a P51 or a Corsair. Yeah, that didn't happen. There is a place within a couple hours that will take you up in vintage aircraft, but with the issues I have these days, I don't think either my lower back or my right leg, hip, or knee could take the strain. Too bad. I can finally afford the flight.

There are others, but those two top MY list... how bout y'all?

[Cofisher]

Ditto on the Mustang/Corsair! I have managed a couple of tandem jumps. What a thrill. Hang in there partner.

[BrokenolMarine]

Dad flew in F4s for years... He described the rush of a burner climb or low level run over the water.
Helos can do some amazing things, and flying under one with a victim hooked to your chest during your chest during a hoist rescue is a huge rush... But a full power take off in a twin engine fighter...

I just wanted that thrill.

[JEBar]

right up front, I've never had nor never anticipate having any desire whatsoever to jump out of a perfectly good airplane .. .. I do wish I had of spent more time hunting and fishing with my Grandfather .... I was too young to understand just how much I could have learned from him, nor how much I'd miss him once he was gone

[BrokenolMarine]

right up front, I've never had nor never anticipate having any desire whatsoever to jump out of a perfectly good airplane .. .. I do wish I had of spent more time hunting and fishing with my Grandfather .... I was too young to understand just how much I could have learned from him, nor how much I'd miss him once he was gone

My maternal grandfather loomed large in my childhood. He was a big man, Native American with iron gray hair and stone features. When he spoke, others in the room listened. As a youngster, i would stay with my grandparents for a week here, a week there, and spend most of that time with granddad, learning this or that. My career in the Corps kept me from spending time with him as an adult, I saw him rarely. Yup, that is a regret.

[Dahliathemeh]

I wish I could find my mom's dad or family so she could have the answers in here life she's always wanted.

[RanchRoper]

Always wanted to cowboy. So I did and I count my blessings every day.

[CT_Shooter]

For me, this is a never ending list; but for starters, I wish I had found a love for literature sooner, had found a love for shooting sports sooner, had more respect for time honored traditions than I did, and had taken better care of my teeth.

[Rochefort]

Hey, guys - I decided we can’t second guess history and have to play it as it lies. I was laying on the beach watching the student Naval Aviators practicing aerobatics and thinking I should have stayed in the Corps, but then I realized I could have flown into the granite cloud the year after I extended. I’ve had plenty of adventure and I never regret anything I did, I only regret what I could have done but didn’t. So I resolved not to feel bad any more and do it all.

Yeah, the old body is starting to come unglued so I have to speed up the tempo.

[Travlin]

Cheer up at least you got to see some of the world and do good for your country. My worn out body is from 50 years as as carpenter /contractor. The worst part of it is I liked almost every minute of it and would do it again.

[OldLog]

I wish I could take a Flight in a P51D