One of our own...medevac help needed.

[GMello]

Gentlemen and Ladies:

I am probably going to be in it deep with a certain former pilot of HMM 263 (RVN 67,68,69), but I could not sit idly by and not do anything to help.

Captain Dick Colby is suffering from a genetic form of COPD (Congestive Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and needs a lung transplant.

He is on the transplant list, but one obstacle remains: He will need $50K to go ahead with the surgery. His hometown of Utica, NY has raised $25K of the $50K needed. I'm not saying we can raise the additional $25K ourselves, but my hope is we can at least make a dent in the amount needed to reach the goal of $50K.

For anyone who knows Dick and who served with him you know he is a real decent man and was one heck of a pilot. I flew a number of missions with him flying the old 34Dog and we always seemed to live a semi-charmed life when he was around...(;)

Anyway, here is the address for anyone who wants to help out:

National Foundation for Transplants
For Richard (Dick) Colby
PO BOX 912
Au Sable Forks, NY 12912

I have already received commitments in excess of $2,000.00 to help out. Make sure you enclose a short note letting the fund know who you are and that you are a member of 'Popasmoke.'

All I can say is thank you for any help that can be rendered here. In my mind it is another medevac mission. It may be many years removed from the paddies and jungles, but it is one of our own and we have to save him.

And Dick, when and if you read this, please do not be upset with me. We are former and current Marines who remember the definition of loyalty...unswerving allegiance under any and all circumstances. For those of us who know you as I do, we love you and our prayers and hopes are with you and your family.

Semper Fi,

Gordo
'Powerglide 6'
HMM 263

[JWatson]

Count me in .


SEMPER FI !! Jimmy

[Joe Hanner]

Gordo, Per our conversation, our check is on the way. Thanks for grabbing the horns by the bull to get this underway. Rick and I were in Casual Company at ITR while waiting for orders to flight school. He's always been one of the good guys. One question if old age hasn't screwed up the memory/data bank: Isn't Powerglide 6 the callsign for the C.O.'s office with Powerglide 6 Actual the Boss himself? Or is it your side number? I know, too many questions and too few answers. Semper Fi.

[GMello]

Joe,

Yes indeed, #6 was my original aircraft number until it was involved in that midair...after speaking with Colonel Kirby he didn't have a problem with the 'Powerglide 6' usage. Just though it was a cool way to identify crew members. A lot of the time, people associate certain aircraft numbers first and then remember who the crew was. You have to remember Joe, and contrary to the huge myth and belief by pilots that a crew chief was only being kind in allowing you misguided individuals to even touch our planes. The tally and trail of wanton acts of violence upon our beloved 34's by pilots was appaling...oversped rotors, overboosting the poor 1820, strut damage due to poor throttle control and depth perception, getting us into places where we were actually were shot at, bullet holes in the plane...it just never ended. We did out best writing to our congreemen about laying you guys off, or maybe giving you guys a year long paid holiday, but somehow they just never saw the humor in the request...something about the war or they didn't want bored Marine pilots carousing around the streets and bars of major Asian cities... :D

[GARY ALLS]

GORDON, AS FOR CAPT. COLBY BEING UPSET, JUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS SOMETIMES EASIER TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS THAN IT IS TO ASK FOR PERMISSION. THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. WILL GET SOMETHING IN THE MAIL SHORTLY.
SEE YOU IN RENO.

S/F GARY
HMM-263 '66-'67

[D.York]

Perhaps admin could make this a "sticky post", to remain at the top for a few weeks? What method of contribution works best? Check-Money order-cash-CC?

[GMello]

To any 'Popasmoke' member: I have spoken with the transplant coordinator and checks are just fine. I tried to dump some old MPC on them, but they said no dice...no piasters either....I gotta get rid of that stuff one of these days...:p

[Dave Reavis]

Gordo.
I didn't know capt Colby but a bro is a bro and one idea for funds might be contacting national headquarters for the Marine Corps League at www.marine corps league.com , Their motto is marines helping marines and they do a good job of living up to it.A name to start with for direction would be Mike Blume, he is on the national board of directors.
Good luck and if I can be of further assistance just holler.
Dave Reavis @ dimmer144@comcast.com

[Allan Holmes]

I'm in.

I also agree that forgiveness is easier to get than permission.

Good idea on the 'sticky post' Don. Let's hope PAS makes it happen.

Just want to post the address again for those that can't scroll upwards.

National Foundation for Transplants
For Richard (Dick) Colby
PO BOX 912
Au Sable Forks, NY 12912

[GMello]

Will contact the Marine Corps League and inquire about any aid they may be able to render. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Kelly M. Lea]

I may not be a "brother", but my check is in the mail.......

[GMello]

Kelly....

I did start the thread addressing gentlemen and ladies. Of course, the word 'gentlemen' was used only to be polite. Congress has no idea what they are doing when they use the words' officer' and 'gentleman' in a document and it involves Marine aviators...it was used like it was a 'get out of jail free' pass...thank God for the NCO's that kept those O level people in line.

Anyway, thank you for the help...and thank you to those who have already helped out....

I also apologize to all for my earlier posts...have reread them and I must have been real tired...so many mispelled words....actually, it is all my wife's fault. She just keeps driving me, no rest, nothing but work and chores....oh, yes dear...I'll be right there...got ta go.... :p