Bench-Talk

  Knowing that Randy would not miss a shooting match come hell or high water. ( well mabee Donna could stop it) That's the question I asked at Holem Wisconsin over the weekend and the "Spy Report" came thru.  Seems that Randy's Father now 89 years young and being a airplane enthusist wanted to go to the Air show at Des Moines Iowa. Randy having his head and heart in the right spot took him to Des Moines to the show which really turned out great. It is my understanding that Randy bought a ride on one of the planes his father loved and Wed. of this week he will be getting the ride he has always wanted. Randy, I know your dad will never forget it and I am sure you won't either. Randy you are truely a hero to me. This country needs more MEN like you. God Bless You. May the bullet God's forever bless you.

Stan 

 Your a good son Randy, like Stan said "Your heart and head are in the right place".....what a great memory!!

   A good example of how to keep things in perspective, Randy.

   I wish I had one more opportunity to do something with our Dad that he loved...maybe a Northern Minnesota fishing trip after some tackle bustin' muskies, a day in the field kickin' up some pheasants or just enjoying a good cookout and an ice cold Miller High Life.

  You're a lucky man and a good son.  Enjoy!     -Al

Stan, Todd and Al - you guys are over-rating me - it's most king of you and, appreciated . . . if BIG MIKE hadn't "shamed" me into investing a little time with Dad, I'd probably have gone shootin'  - again . . .

HE'z become somewhat "civilized" . . . HE came into the shop one morning singing . . . " When ya comin' home son?"  . . ."I don't know when - but we'll get together then, Dad . . . ya know, we'll have a good time then . . . "  Sometimes, I think He'z more civilized than I'll ever be - hopefully, following his brief flight, I'll get some decent pics of Dad in the FORTRESS (B-17G - fully equipped, including ALL of the 50 Cal. machine guns and the Norden bomb-sight!) and post a couple on the other forum - when comes to airplanes, Dad gets enthused beyond comprehension . . . if I had half his enthusiasm and passion, I might have amounted to something . . . RG

P.S. Dad's brother, my Uncle, was bombardier (15Th Air Force) who, during WWII, flew beaucoup missions over Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, etc. - his Fortress was badly shot-up over Italy - both pilot and co-pilot were' either killed or gravely wounded and unable to fly the plane - Uncle Lee "belly-landed" the Fortress, on a Sicicilian strip, just two days following a "take-over" by  the U.S. Ground Troops  - thank God for ALL of those who provided US with so much opportunity! You guys are correct - I AM a LUCKY fellow. :)