First time for everything I guess

“As they walked me down the hallway towards the door, the female cop said the couple involved said to tell you thanks. I thought that was nice.”


I imagine the vast gratitude this couple feels towards you, and your heroic intervention, is immense. It’s appropriate they acknowledged your sacrifice and conveyed their appreciation via the officer.

Being a “hero” isn’t always about the hero journeying through trial by fire and emerging unscathed.

Sometimes, and more often than not, the outcome of severe adversity such as saving lives, comes at the cost of the hero’s own expense, no matter how noble or selfless his actions are.

It’s why sacrifice and heroism are interchangeable.

“A hero is someone who does something for other people.”

Heroes sacrifice their interests in the concerns of other human beings.

Out of this adversity, in the face of danger to yourself and others; you’ve proven courageous. With utmost respect, I wish you the very best.
 

@Moonrat, of course it will be something you will never forget. You must always remember that you reacted in someone's defense without hesitating or considering how it might affect youself. That is a huge insight into the selfless and honorable person you are.
Hugs to you, my friend.
 
Not unlike situations where police officers have a split second to decide what to do. This is what acting in the defense of others in Florida is about.

In Florida, the use of force in defense of others is an affirmative defense that may be raised in a variety of criminal prosecutions. “Defense of others” excuses an otherwise unlawful violent act on grounds that it was reasonably necessary to defend another person from an aggressor.
https://www.husseinandwebber.com/ca... the use of,another person from an aggressor.

Use of Force in Defense of Others in Florida​

https://www.husseinandwebber.com/ca... the use of,another person from an aggressor.
I doubt other than the time answering questions there will be any repercussions. Just don't let the news media get your name to generate a story about you as a hero. I'm sure you can figure out why.
 
Paco Dennis said:
That would be the worst case scenario. I would much prefer jumping in the way to protect them. That is a tough question. I won't buy or carry, because I don't want anyone to. It is already the wild wild west, and there is no where to run. It is my preference, certainly not everyone's.
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ROFLOL - "Jumping in the way to protect them."

After you fall, what would protect them?
 
Paco Dennis said:
That would be the worst case scenario. I would much prefer jumping in the way to protect them. That is a tough question. I won't buy or carry, because I don't want anyone to. It is already the wild wild west, and there is no where to run. It is my preference, certainly not everyone's.
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You do understand that there is more than one bullet. So you jump in front & die. Is there comfort thinking now that you would never know if your loved ones died to?
 
“Hero is an overused word.”

@Moon Rat

Perhaps, you’re right, in that not all accomplishments are heroic deeds, and because of our “politically correct society” (ugh) a ludicrous age of cookie-cutters and endless banalities; we’ve disgracefully reduced the term “hero”.

The esteem quality of the message has lost its noble meaning when our generation deems, proclaims and glorifies sports stars, television personalities, film directors, parents, teachers, etc., until the expression, so watered down, makes everyone a puke-hero these days.

“Courage is admirable, but unless it involves risk or sacrifice in order to help others, then it isn’t heroism.”

I have no doubt the couple you interceded on behalf of, place you in “kingly light” for having taken a selfless risk to yourself, in assisting to save them.

“Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away.” — Tom Brokaw

“IF”

If by Rudyard Kipling - Read by Sir Michael Caine - YouTube
 
"If" happens to be my absolute favorite poem since I first heard it in high school.
It embodies everything I hope we could aspire to in our lifetime.
 
It's been awhile since I posted here, so I thought I would bring everyone up do date. The man that I shot at and hit was located a few days alter I had shot him. HE was OK, but went to a hospital in another state (Georgia). The other couple could id him, but I could only see that he had a small beard and a red shirt on. The DA did not charge me, but the guy with the gun that shot at me was charged with a few counts for his handy work with the couple. No trial date has been set, but there is a preliminary hearing coming up soon.

I decided to stay home this winter and not move to Hawaii. My kid was disappointed, but I told him that I needed more time to prepare, so maybe by next fall, I will be able to make the move.

I know you don't remember, but I was in a very bad accident a few years back and late last fall, I started getting these terrific gut pains. After a set of tests , they found that my colon had an infection and was spreading poison through my upper and lower bowel. The surgeon had to go in and clean that all out and put me on some pretty heavy antibiotics, but since then, I have been feeling really good over the holidays, so I am hoping it continues.

Just to show everyone how bad of luck I have, we just found out that my girlfriend has Stage 4 colon cancer. Her stubbornness from refusing to get her colonoscopies over the last 15 years is the result of being reckless. The doctor wouldn't tell her much, but I was told to prepare for the worse. It just seems to never get better for us. The Oncologist told me just before Christmas that he will set up an appointment with us in about 2-3 weeks where he will go over everything and probably set up visits with a Hospice in our area, which I knew what that meant.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and didn't eat too much. My nerves were too bad to eat with all the good stuff that has been coming my way and with having my colon flushed, I wasn't all that hungry anyway. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall, but only weigh about 140 pounds. Kind of on the thin side, you might say.

Hope you all have a great 2023.
 
I have wondered how you were doing regarding any criminal offenses, but am so glad to hear that chapter is almost closed for you. As for the rest of your bad news, it's a never ending story. Your girlfriend has a good companion in her journey through this.

I wish only the best for you down the road. Please keep posting here, as you have many friends who are pulling for you to be happy.
 
"I am 5 feet 10 inches tall, but only weigh about 140 pounds. Kind of on the thin side, you might say."

I was slightly over 6' some years ago, before I had to have back surgery. Now I'm about 5'10" also, and my normal-for-me weight hovered around 180, but in 2022 I lost my appetite and, over the year, I got down to 137. It was awful. I hated it. Toward the end of 2022, I managed to get back up to 160-something, and I do feel a lot better, but not great.

Anyway, about the shooting - I'd have been surprised (and angry) if you'd been criminally charged. While this stresses the importance of getting ones firearms registered and handling them responsibly and all that, it's also a message to thugs that armed robbery is a high-risk occupation. Maybe your actions encouraged someone to re-examine their life choices.
 
I don’t know why, I just felt the need to tell someone about my sorrow that I am going through. My sweetheart died two months ago today with me beside her holding her hand. She was the sweetest person I ever knew. So kind and never said a bad word about anyone. She was always against having a colonoscopy, but if she would have had one, it may have saved her life.

My son surprised me over the holidays with showing up on my doorstep with his wife and my one grandson. We had a wonderful week together. He wanted to visit some of his old pals at the FBI and the ATF, so we flew up to Washington and my daughter-in-law, grandson and myself just walked around the city and took a tour of the monuments that they offer for a few hours while he visited with his friends. I didn’t think I would enjoy it, but it was very interesting and being with my grandson made it very enjoyable. My daughter-in-law is very kind snd intelligent. She enjoyed being together.

I haven’t felt like doing much since Cheryl passed away. I decided maybe if I tried working again, it would somehow be a good healer. I took in a car to refurbish it. At first, I was really into it, but within a few weeks, I felt that I was losing interest and hired a fellow that I worked with years ago to help me get the work back on track. We still have a few months until it’s completed. It’s been awhile since I did a car and I lost track of the vendors that I used for different parts or work, like my upholsterer. I will be glad when it’s finished. I don’t know what I will do next, but I know I need to find something.

There’s a VA rest home about a mile away and I ride my bike past there pretty often and when I see someone out, I like to stop and talk to them. Some of them have very interesting stories. One story that stands out is the man who, I’m not sure if he armed or just built land mines during the Vietnam War. He told me that even today, people are still finding them. Then he laughed. He asked me if I knew how you find a land mine. I answered with by using a land mine detector. He said no, by stepping on it and then he laughed again. I laughed with him. I am thinking about maybe getting a job there or just be a volunteer. I would like to drive one of the shuttles that takes patients to their appointments.

I hope everyone is having a great day. It’s 75 degrees here now and it’s going to 84 today. I’m going out and do a little more work on the car and then maybe drive to the beach and go for a long walk along the shoreline. C ya’.
 
Moon Rat said:
There’s a VA rest home about a mile away and I ride my bike past there pretty often and when I see someone out, I like to stop and talk to them. Some of them have very interesting stories. One story that stands out is the man who, I’m not sure if he armed or just built land mines during the Vietnam War. He told me that even today, people are still finding them. Then he laughed. He asked me if I knew how you find a land mine. I answered with by using a land mine detector. He said no, by stepping on it and then he laughed again. I laughed with him. I am thinking about maybe getting a job there or just be a volunteer. I would like to drive one of the shuttles that takes patients to their appointmen
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Sorry for your loss of your loved one. Sincerely. Glad your son visited you from Hawaii. Wish you the best, sincerely.......but
what I bolded is so not funny and anyone who thinks it is has a screw loose. IMO. Sincerely.

eta. My husband, with Canadian Army, stepped on a landmine in Korea on his very first day there. Obviously, it was a dud. He was only 15 years old when he managed to sneak, literally, into service.
 
So sorry for your loss Moon Rat, its not easy to lose someone we love

I’ve mentioned my voluntary work a few times in various threads and can not recommend it enough, when you feel ready, please do try it

The VA Rest Home sounds perfect, I’m sure they would appreciate your help and companionship for the residents, Cheryl would be proud of you

Take care and let us know how things are going
 
Pepper said:
If he didn't get involved he'd have no one shooting at him. I'm not saying he shouldn't have, just the facts, sir.
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From Phil Ochs, years ago:

Oh look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbed​
They've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed​
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain​
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game​
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody​
Outside of a small circle of friends​

*Shirley* you recall it, right? "Small Circle of Friends"...?

I'm not saying that there's a right answer or a wrong one, but I am saying, one needs to understand that each decision has its own consequences.

And accept that the action one favors, for whatever reason, has risks as dire as the one you worry about.
 
Nathan said:
@Moon Rat, Good luck with the legal maze you may have ventured into. Carrying a gun can be a blessing, but also a burden.
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Not to mix metaphors, but two edged sword, isn't it?

This is one of those situations where either alternative (carry/not carry) bears its own significant risks. You're going to have to choose between them, and having chosen, live with the consequences of your choice. Very clear: in the described situation, either you do or you don't. Neither alternative is desirable, but you'll be stuck with your decision, whichever it is.

Attempting to evade ownership of the decision later is just excuse-making and responsibility shirking.
 
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