I don’t want to continue to have my recent back surgery be the pinnacle of my life and perhaps this will be the last time it is a part of this column. I returned to Twin Cities Spine Center last week for a checkup to see how things were going. I kind of felt like I was doing OK, with slow but steady improvement, and fortunately so did my surgeon, Dr. Manual Pinto.

First, I was no longer taking prescription pain killers having switched to over the counter medications. Second, I am able to walk without a walker or even a cane. Not going to say I am sturdy on my feet, but where I am today is quite an improvement from where I was after surgery. And finally, I have returned to pretty much my normal routine writing and selling ads for the Northern Sentry. Again, quite a large step from 30 minutes at my desk at home, to a full day in the Northern Sentry office in the Main Medical building.

Some Thoughts
Part of my normal monthly routine is attendance at the Military Affairs Committee gathering, normally held on the first Thursday of every month. This month we gathered at the Jimmy Doolittle Center on base. I only missed one MAC meeting in my eight week recovery, but it was great to once again be in attendance. One of the first people to welcome me back was Col. Jesse Lamarand, the Commander of the 5th Bomb Wing. Part of my goal in having surgery was to re-establish the shape of my spine. Stenosis is what they were attempting to correct. My discs in between my vertebrae had flattened and we were headed toward a lifetime of leaning forward. It was either have the surgery to replace the discs with “cages” and then put rods in my back to straighten me up, or deal with spine issues for the rest of my life. Easy choice, but not so easy of a surgery.

After the MAC meeting Col Lamarand made it a point to get more details about my recovery, and we both had to chuckle when he said “Wow, you definitely are straightening up. You’re taller than me now!” His comment made me feel pretty good. When I mentioned Col Lamarand’s statement to my wife, I had to once again smile when she stoically reminded me that “I thought that was what this surgery was all about. You know, straightening you up.” OK, enough said on that front. But, back to the MAC meeting. Col. Lamarand, and Col Schlabach for that matter, have always been so approachable when it comes to how Minot Air Force Base relates to the Minot community. From what I understand, it’s not always that way. But according to Col Lamarand “this is not normal (in a good way). For a community and a base to have such a great relationship is out of the ordinary, and I hope it never changes.”

My thoughts to Col Lamarand and Col Schlabach; neither do I. On the very day of my surgery Col Lamarand sent a text to my boss asking about my wellbeing, and how surgery had gone. The next day Ted asked how I was doing because Col Schlabach had asked. I may look at this through a different set of glasses than most, but Col’s Lamarand and Schlabach certainly have a lot more pressing issues on their plates, but I cannot say enough how appreciative I was of their concern. So, thank you Col Lamarand and Col Schlabach, and of course all of the other folks who sent texts or emails to my boss, Ted Bolton asking how I was doing.

And Now Prayers
Even though a major portion of what I do revolves around the Minot Air Force Base, and the large part they play in deterrence of our adversaries, I really don’t get a whole lot more information than what the average person following the local and national news channels does. What I know, because it has been repeated several times, is that there are at least eight B-52’s from Minot & Barksdale Air Force Base deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury.

We certainly hope and pray that the crews of those B-52’s from Minot, Barksdale, and all of the other military personnel deployed to the Middle East, are kept out of harms’ way. Unfortunately, very few battles like Operation Epic Fury are fought without casualties. To all of the families who have lost loved ones so far we send out heart felt condolences.

The other day I was privy to a conversation between four people at a local coffee shop. Eventually their conversation turned to the fact that there were several B-52’s in Iran. “There isn’t a darn thing we can do about it” said one gentleman. One of the other gentlemen answered, “Yes there is…we can pray for their safety.”
My position at the Northern Sentry is to tell the stories of the people who are part of the Minot Air Force Base, and I am not afraid to say that every day those who serve our country and help maintain our freedom are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope they are also in yours, too.