Yesterday A.M. I was in Pensacola for a medical procedure and of course the time involved was indicative of what can be expected in today’s environment when it comes to medical appointments. Scheduled to arrive at 0930 – check (took 5 minutes), scheduled start time 1030 – no check and finally called back at 1100. I guess it was more the hurry up and wait than the lost 30 minutes that was aggravating.
During the wait a gentleman entered the waiting room in a wheel chair being escorted by a young man that I perceived to be his son. The gentleman I guessed to be in his middle to late 40’s and the son in his early 20’s. They seated themselves just to the left of my wife and my self where I could see them from a 45 degree angle. After getting settled they began fiddling with their smart phones carrying on a conversation. The gentleman (I later learn to be Patrick) was having trouble speaking clearly.
After a while, I noticed that Patrick had what appeared to be a screened USAF MAJCOM patch on his left chest area of his black t-shirt he was wearing. The patch was somewhat faded and to start a conversation I leaned over and asked if it was an Air Combat Command (ACC) emblem and Patrick replied yes. I advised that I had once worn the same patch but my problem was that I dated back to ACC’s predecessor, Tactical Air Command (TAC). He indicated that he also had been in TAC for a short period before ACC came along.
We probably conversed for 25 minutes or so before I was called back. In that short period, I learned quiet a bid about his career both military and post military. Just before our conversation was to end I also heard something I did not want to hear. Patrick stated that his life was normal until around 16 months ago. Up until that time he was an avid runner and was a civilian DOD employee until being diagnosed with ALS.
The wasted time no longer seemed important and “Life can suck.”
Prayers up for Patrick Peters and continued prayers for Mayor Jack.
