Henry Rifle Forums

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?

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

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.

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

JEBar wrote: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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

I wish I could take a Flight in a P51D