Nando was ‘my older brother from another Mother’
We worked side-by-side for 22 months of grueling nightshift stupidity in Kuwait w/Stanley. He was a great guy, and we stayed in contact.
His wife Roxy texted me today giving me the news.
See you in a while Nando.
More Later
BCE
Oh shit. Went to a fire, guy running the pump is good old timer who’s new to us (moved from next county). Knew his stepson just died but didn’t know he jumped off a bridge. Sometimes refitting the engine for the next one doesn’t feel right.
My condolences BC. We are now at the age (50’s) where things like this pickup speed. My old man checked out at 53 (back in 2oo1), massive heart attack. Granted, he was in pretty poor health. But until that happened, I never paid much attention to how many men go around that age. Kind of shocked me as a 20 something back then to see the pattern emerge, but now realize it is almost a routine occurrence.
You guys who served honorably in the sandbox are in an even more precarious position, owing to health problems you picked up while over there. Meanwhile, I’m aware of only three of people from my highschool class who have passed on now, both from acute health problems. Of course there may be others, I don’t really keep close track, just pointing out that a surprising number of us in this age bracket – men especially – won’t see 60 or 70, much less 80, and realizing that has been rather sobering.
Sorry BCE, when my Grandpa was in his 50s he’d come home from work every day and read the afternoon newspaper (remember those) ?
First section he’d look at was the Obits and he and my Grandma would discuss “Guess who just died” and whether they needed to go to the wake or funeral.
When I asked him about this he said “Someday when you are my age you’ll understand”.
Well now I am his age from back then and I DO understand and it sucks seeing kids you knew in school and friends and neighbors check out. It sucks.
Sorry Big. Life sucks when you loose one of your mainstays. I personally don’t have anyone left. They are all gone. My in blood bros and my best bros. And somehow, old and busted up I am still here.
So who can you talk to when there is no one old enough to understand where you are coming from?
Time for a bourbon. I’ll raise one to your friend.
Nostrovia!
Condolences! Buried a friend (62, passed after 2 year leukemia battle) this past weekend. Big Ruckus D is correct we’re at that age 🙁
My OI Division shipmates get together about every June down in Chesapeake. At first it was sea stories and lots of beer. Now its non-alcoholic beer as we sit and talk about our latest doctor visits, medications, surgeries, and health insurance. We have a few empty chairs, too. I myself had a heart attack last August. Felt odd so I had my doc do an EKG and blood test. Called me at home and told me to go to the ER! It was that “Widow Maker” and resulted in a double by-pass. Been around the sun 74 times. We just never know what the day will bring.
Our Father, we humbly beseech You to grant eternal rest to a valorous soul, Fernando C. Becker, who has bravely served and sacrificed for others.
May Your divine light shine upon him, bringing peace and comfort to his spirit.
Embrace him in Your loving arms and may his legacy to serve inspire us to live with courage, gratitude, and compassion.
Amen.
At the age of 45, I’ve lost more friends and acquaintances to suicide than anything else.
Something totally preventable
RIP. I am at the age when stuff happens and will visit a friend this evening who has been given 6 months to live. Make sure someone in your family knows the password to you mobile phone, your computer, your critical cloud storage (Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc.) and where to find your contact list, including important account info and login info. Get yourself a will, create a trust,a healthcare directive and power of attorney. Don’t leave your spouse and/or family without key information to carry on without you. Don’t put it off.
Very good advice, to have it all written down (in a binder maybe), and definitely to have the will/ trust / financial POA sorted.
I don’t know what it’s like in Florida, but in Va & Md, having a first means you get to dictate things from beyond the grave, which is nice.
So for example: you could dictate EXACTLY how you want your home to be managed, where your retirement money to go, Sapper to remain in your house, and NO money goes to DumbCunt, and if G. is discovered to be giving or electronically transferring any money to her, there will be financial penalties for that.
Trusts are great. Lots o’ control.
May God bless thee and keep thee in the Palm of His Hand, and your families and their families.