Riggins with little brother Charlie and little sister Sadie.

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Friday, November 8, 2013

T.G.I.F.

Today was a nice sunny day with the temperature reaching 59 degrees.
I received gift from the Fed Ex man. Back when I was flying in the Navy the helicopters I was assigned to was the UH2-A/B models made by Kaman Aircraft in Connecticut. They had a policy that when a crew made a rescue in one of their aircraft all members of the crew were awarded a Kaman Rescue Pin. As a token of the companies support for our mission. I believe Sikorskey Helicopters did the same thing with their models.
Anyway between being on so many detachments and away from the home station, my pins, I was awarded 3, never reached me. I just figured it ended up in some Officer’s desk drawer who needed it more than I did. As life goes on I never really worried about it but with the advent of Facebook I joined the Kaman Navy Helicopters group and have been enjoying contacting other Navy pilots and crews who also flew in the H2. I asked one if he had ever received his rescue pins and he said no but he had contacted Kaman Aerospace, and they indeed had the records and forwarded him his missing pin, he gave me e-mail address of a woman to contact. which I did, Today the Fed-EX man dropped a package off and it it was my long awaited pin and two books about the company plus a nice letter of  Thanks for my service from Kaman Aerospace, what a great gesture from a company after 40 years.
KamanRescuePin
I told Donna it might not look like much to the average person, but its like being awarded a medal you should have gotten 40 years ago. It will find it’s way into a shadow box with my wings, medals, and maybe my chrome 45 with my wings on the grips.
That just about made my day, what a great ending to the story.
Another slow news day here at the ranch, Donna just left for work, and Rigg’s and I are hanging out in the kitchen.
Hope all of our friends are having a great day. be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

7 comments:

  1. Great timing arriving just before Veterans day. Thank you for your service Sam.

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  2. That is not a slow day that is a fantastic day. I am so grateful to men like you who were so willing to risk their life for me. Thank you so much.

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  3. What a wonderful surprise. You should be very proud of that pin and I hope you display it for all to see. Very cool.

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  4. I'm so glad you got the pin, even if it's 40 years late in arriving. Thank you very much for your service!

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  5. I will officially stand outside on Monday and salute you!

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  6. That is a great story, glad you finally received your pin!

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  7. A belated "Congratulations!", Sam..and thank you for your service.

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