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Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 29, 2005, 04:49 PM:
There’s been a lot of bickering in this house the past couple days over what really, in the long run, doesn’t amount to nothing more than personal opinions. To break the direction we’ve gone, I thought I’d help myself out by sharing something with you guys. You’re like a second family to me and right now, I need to share a little bit.
The very first article I ever did was in the October, 1992 issue of Trapper & Predator Caller. It was a piece on braintanning buckskin. I did a similar article for Buckmasters Whitetail magazine just a couple years later. The guy that taught me how to brain tan was named George Greening.
In the years that followed, George and I became even closer friends when he decided to take training to become an Emergency Medical Technician. I was one of his instructors, and after he got his license, he went to work for our department and we spent many shifts together. On one particular night, all of our other untis were on calls when we got paged out to a two-vehicle accident. Driving the smallest bus in the fleet, we get there and find we have a family of five, all with minor injuries, but needing transport nonetheless. George looked at me and , in a whisper, asked me what the hell we were going to do. I smiled at him, put one hand on his shoulder and told him that I was going to drive and he was going to take care of all five. 2dogs, Jeff and Todd can appreciate this type of predicament. We strapped all the little ones to KED boards, mom and dad on full spines, put the parents on the cot and the bench and lined the kids up head to toe down the aisle in the middle of the ambulance and away we went. George was a hell of a compassionate medic and went on to get a Paramedic’s license he never used (his choice). Had he stayed in the Service, he would easily have been one of the best on the street.
Several years ago, I did an article on bobcats and told about how one came to within fifteen minutes of me where I held it for nearly ten minutes. My photographer, a professional who had offered to do my photo support, lay thirty yards away under a blanket where he didn’t see a thing, and didn’t get a single picture. George was my photographer for several early articles, and was the guy with me that morning. We laughed about that a bunch of times.
When my wife and I got married, we were dirt poor. Still are, by some accounts. I contracted with George to do all the pictures of our wedding and he only charged us a hundred dollars. I can’t imagine it even began to cover his expenses, but he wouldn’t take another dime from me.
Three years ago, a large elm tree west of my house started to split at the base, threatening both my house and the neighbor’s. I had a quote of $1,300 to remove it. George owned a construction company and brought over a four-man crew, a crane and a bucket truck. Had the tree on the ground and cut into pieces I could manage by myself and only charged me $250. Again, less than the wages and fuel for the work. And you’re probably asking yourself what the hell any of this has to do with anything else.
I’ve known George for nearly twenty years. He did some goofy stuff, helped everyone he could, and often suffered a personal price for doing so, but it never stopped him. Ever. The list of people he went out on a limb for is too long to cover here, nor would I want to bore you with it. But knowing George for who he was and seeing everybody else bicker over bullshit just got the better of me. You see, sometime late last night, my friend George Greening, his beautiful wife Julie (a hell of a singer, by the way) and another lady I helped train to get her license as an EMT were all killed when George’s single-engine plane crashed into a field in La Vista, Nebraska.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but perspective just got a lot clearer for me.
Life is short.
Get over it.
Posted by Norm (Member # 240) on December 29, 2005, 05:24 PM:
Amen Lance; I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friends and pillars in our country.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on December 29, 2005, 05:49 PM:
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friends lance.
~SH~
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on December 29, 2005, 05:59 PM:
Cdog911,
That plane crash was right across the river from me, and they have been showing photo's of it on the news all day today. Sad deal Lance, very sad.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 29, 2005, 06:07 PM:
We all share your loss, Lance. This is your family as much as it is mine. You are right, life is short and we should reflect on that.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 29, 2005, 06:10 PM:
Thanks to all. Rich, sometimes the world gets a little too small, huh?
Posted by Byron South (Member # 213) on December 29, 2005, 07:03 PM:
Sorry for your loss Lance.
Posted by timbertoes (Member # 604) on December 29, 2005, 07:22 PM:
My Sincere condolences Lance, and thank you for sharing the story of your dear friend.
Posted by 2dogs (Member # 649) on December 29, 2005, 08:07 PM:
My sympathies & condolences to their family & to you as well, Lance. A tough go, for sure.
Many fine people, will meet once again, some day ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by JD (Member # 768) on December 29, 2005, 08:16 PM:
Sorry to hear about this tragedy. He sounds like a REAL man & you`ve honored him greatly with your words Lance.
Posted by Todd Woodall (Member # 439) on December 29, 2005, 08:24 PM:
Lance, Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Your right life is short, and fragile. We all forget that sometimes. I wish you and all associated well.
Todd
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on December 30, 2005, 06:33 AM:
What those other guys said, plus thank you for the good advice.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on December 30, 2005, 06:40 AM:
Lance, my condolences also and my thanks for the perspective check.
Posted by Randy Buker (Member # 134) on December 30, 2005, 06:59 AM:
The world is small and life is short. My sympathies to you and all who knew them.
Posted by Cat hunter1 (Member # 493) on December 30, 2005, 07:06 AM:
Sorry to here about your freind Cdog911. I lost a very close freind of mine earlyer this year. We were freinds since grade school. Life is to short to let the little things get to us. Thanks for the story. Agin sorry for your loss. Wade
Posted by scruffy (Member # 725) on December 30, 2005, 08:16 AM:
Sorry to hear about your loss Lance. There just aren't enough good people like that in the world.
later,
scruffy
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on December 30, 2005, 09:24 AM:
I heard about the crash on the news. Knowing they were friends of yours really brings it home. My sympathies for you Lance.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on December 31, 2005, 08:17 AM:
That's truly rotten. Sorry for your loss Lance.
Life really IS short. Way short. I think about that often, and try to take advantage of every day. Goes a long way towards not sweating the small stuff.
- DAA
Posted by Bryan J (Member # 106) on December 31, 2005, 08:57 AM:
Your loss it the world’s loss in that we didn’t know him as you did.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on December 31, 2005, 09:35 AM:
Sorry to hear about the loss Lance. That is tough losing someone who you have shared so much with.
Dave made a good point. Life is short and can be taken away very quickly... This past spring my 6 and 8 year old boys were hiking with me to check out an old mine shaft. On the way back down the trail from the mine my 8 year old slipped and fell off a rock ledge and proceeded to roll and bounce 200 feet down a very steep hillside covered with large boulders and cliffs. The last I saw of him before he went out of sight was a body that was limp and going head first down the hill. I just knew it was over. My worst nighmare as a parent had come true. When I managed to climb down to him and he was alive! To make a long story short, besides a concussion, some teeth knocked loose and scratches and bruises from one end to the other he was okay. And like kids do he healed up very quickly.
Every time I think I'm having a shitty day I think about that moment when I thought my boy was gone. It really makes you realize the small things in life like the almighty dollar and how many coyotes you kill are not important in the big picture.
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on December 31, 2005, 09:43 AM:
Dang Lonny glad to hear your boy is alright...kids are tough little buggers aren't they.
Posted by Gerald Stewart (Member # 162) on December 31, 2005, 09:58 AM:
Thanks for that lesson on perspective Lance. Sorry for your loss. I type these words trying to blink away the tears thinking of how you feel. I lost a friend a couple of years ago.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 31, 2005, 10:15 AM:
When my son was younger, he was hiking up in the local mountains, alone. He was pulling himself up, by grabing a large rock, which he found out was cracked and split in half. The top half came down on him and dropped between his legs, the sharp edge slicing his knee deeply, about twelve inches long. He was somehow able to get himself down off that mountain and drove to the hospital, before bleeding to death.
That's how close it was between bleeding to death on a remote hillside. Less than an inch and a major artery would have been severed and he wouldn't have survived, maybe we might never have found him? Scary, but things like that happen all the time.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by InjunJoe (Member # 658) on December 31, 2005, 12:50 PM:
It's a sad thing.
Everyone be extra careful tonight.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 31, 2005, 03:53 PM:
Guys,
I find comfort in your responses and thank you for the support. I went out and met with his sister, another friend, and brother, who calls coyotes pretty well. They're all just stunned. Sadly, the FAA cannot release the bodies until (maybe) Monday and the funeral won't be until Thursday. I feel for them to have to endure this phase of the grief for over a week.
The early reports say that it appeared the plane turned back in dense fog and that he was possibly trying to get back and land her. He crashed within a mile of the runway. George was an intense and level headed guy and I can almost feel the anxiety he was feeling in those last moments as he sat hunched against the controls of the plane, worried not about himself, but in getting his wife and friend back safely on the ground. If he were here today, he would be overwhelmed with grief in knowing the pain he has cost us all with his and the others' loss.
I walked my route yesterday, heart heavy with grief. I can see his house from the last three loops of my day and I could see all the cars of friends and family in his driveway. Then I thought what George would say if he saw me moping around like I was and it would have been to get busy and get 'er done. Get my head up. Not to worry about him. He'll find his way, and I'm sure he has. I'll see him down ther trail a spell. And like with so much and so many times beofre, he'll show me around and teach me some new stuff that will be handy as hell later on.
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on December 31, 2005, 04:14 PM:
It's a shame that happened. It really puts everything into perspective but I admire your outlook, Lance.
Brad
Posted by Melvin (Member # 634) on December 31, 2005, 05:36 PM:
Lance,i know how you must feel.A few years ago i lost a friend and hunting partner.I hunted with him since i was a youngster,growing up.He reminded me so much like you're friend,the way you described him.He too would do much for people and expected nothing or little back.
You're post hit a hurt spot in me when i read it.Your're friend reminded me so much of my friend and hunting partner,Uncle George.
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on January 01, 2006, 04:45 PM:
I'm saddend to hear of your loss too Lance. Your friend, it seems, was one hell of a guy that will deeply missed. I never have the right words to say at times like these. I'll send up a prayer for you and his loved ones ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by pup (Member # 90) on January 02, 2006, 07:46 AM:
Sorry for your loss Lance, thoughts and prayers for you and the family.
Jas. 4:14, You know not what shall be tomorrow, for what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time then vanishes away.
Every time I work a total house fire, or a fatality accident, I am reminded of this verse.
Posted by varmit hunter (Member # 37) on January 02, 2006, 08:37 AM:
Lance, I hate that it took this subject to pull our heads out of the BS and clear our vision. From you're description of you're friends. The whole world took a loss, but know doubt you're heart is shattered.
Treasure his memories. maybe the rest of us will see what a true treasure life is.
Posted by bigc (Member # 777) on January 05, 2006, 11:00 AM:
My heart goes out to you Lance. I almost lost my best friend last year and I have never had a more sobering experience. Be strong my friend.
C
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on January 05, 2006, 01:31 PM:
Had the funerals today for George and his wife. What a cross section of our local community. Business people in suits to laborers in blue jeans to cowboys. Filled that church to standing room only. You know it's a big deal when cowboys are standing around with tears in their eyes. I think most of the town was there, stunned and sobered. Got to listen to two different pastors, both of who knew George and his wife very well. Julie could sing just like Allyson Krause. Beautiful. And she often sang for church functions. It was one of the first times I've ever seen a pastor break down for a moment in the middle of his sermon.
During the service, I thought of many other memories of George. One thing about George was that he had this habit of helping anyone and everyone. Even total strangers. He'd pick up hitchhikers and take them home, give them a room out in one of his barns, feed them, even put them to work in his company if they were so inclined. One night, I was out there to try and call a few bobcats and coyotes that were using a tree lot behind his place to get to Julie's beloved farm animals. I was wrapping up my try and headed back to the truck in my ghillie suit when I came face to face with some young guy I didn't know from Adam. His eyes were as big as saucers when he came around the corner and saw me there in a ghillie with a big assed rifle in my hand. George later told me he was some kid passing thru with no place to sleep. George gave him the loft in the bark and that yes, I had scared him $hitless.
Some of the stories we shared today about George were all "George". Got to meet his dad. The apple fell right next to that tree. Ernie seems like a helluva guy. He told us that once, when he was stationed in L.A., they were traveling and came upon two Native Americans (so as to avoide the ***'s) whose car was broken down. They gave them a ride and along the way, George actually traded his belt and a pocket knife with the man for some beads and silverware. George was a trader. They were invited to this family's home that evening for dinner and they sat around a small bonfire. The man invited George to join him in a dance and, it turns out, the man was the old I-n-d-i-a-n guy that used to appear with the tear in his eye on all the commercials. Iron-something or other. I'm sure someone here knows his name.
George was a mountain man, a biker, a pilot, a hunter, a medic, a samaritan and a good friend to everyone. There isn't a person in this town who can't think of something George did for them out of the goodness of his heart. Above all else, he was a character unique in his own way. Julie's mom, George's mother-in-law, told us a story where she and George had gotten into an argument. George went away mad. A few days later, she hurt her leg. George came over to her house, mad or not, and changed the dressings on her leg every night, and showed up with an adjustable hospital bed that he bought for her. She cried when she told how, for as long as he had dated and was married to her daughter, he brought her a gift on each of Julie's birthdays to show his thanks for bringing him her daughter. These and many other stories just like them are the sum and total of who George was. He's going to be sorely missed by so many people.
Thanks to all for the support thru a difficult time. I've lost friends, but never in this way and to someone who meant so much to so many. It's a sad testimony to our lives that we spend years doing the best we can, and it's all summed up in but a few column inches in the newspaper. And I'd just bet that George never, in his wildest dreams, would have believed the size of the crowd that came out to bid him farewell today. What a rich man.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 05, 2006, 02:11 PM:
Thanks for sharing your time of grief, Lance.
BTW, I think the name is "Iron Eyes Cody"
Good hunting. LB
Of course, the litter that brought the tear to his eye, if on a re$ervation, came from other 1ndian$. They are not eco-minded, for the most part.
[ January 05, 2006, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on January 05, 2006, 03:40 PM:
That's him, Leonard. Thanks. And, you're right. When I left Cortez, CO for the Grand Canyon, I was a little dismayed at the volume of empty liquor bottles in the road ditch when I first crossed onto the re$ervation. But, my uncle had forewarned me of the perils of being white in that country and I heeded that warning.
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