An Air Force Story

I'm an old Air Force vet
Twenty-four damn fine years
Half as Airman medic and intelligence analyst
Half as Medical Service Corps officer

McLellan Park VA Clinic
(Not too busy but hey, its Saturday Morning)

All full of great adventures

I had great bosses along the way
And while a medic, the best mission in the world...
Helping keep our airmen healthy
While they served our country

So this morning I went to McClellan Park,
Sacramento California
To have my worn out ears examined
(No Don P., not my "head" as I am sure you would have hoped)

Main Hall from second floor

At the VA Clinic...formerly McClellan USAF Clinic

I hardly ever  (as in once every couple of years or less) go there
So it was a reunion of sorts with the surroundings

First impression...Air Force bases don't die and go to seed when closed
As I once thought
They are revitalized into well-planned business communities
Because the foundation or "infrastructure" that was there is so strong
(The same is true for what was once Mather Air Force Base)

The VA Clinic is impeccably maintained
A tribute to those who took over from us airmen
Back in Two Double Aught One

It was Saturday but I was on time for my appointment
And quickly greeted by a smiling audiologist
Everything went fine
Until I explained to the audiologist how I went through great pains
To put a loud aftermarket exhaust system on my Harley
Then purchased some mighty fine "Hearo" earplugs to protect my pitiful hearing

Fortunately the Psych folks don't work on Saturdays so she couldn't give me an immediate referral

Overall I was impressed by the surroundings and treatment for our area Veterans
My new, replacement AIDS (hearing that is) will be here in "4-6" weeks

I was at this clinic shortly after it first opened as a new Air Force facility

MSC Colonel Hugh Smith, his wonderful wife,
retired California School Teacher and published author Judy,
His son Shea and daughter Brandy
(The first enrolled CRI/TRICARE family)

In the Fall of 1988 when a DOD test program launched,
The "CHAMPUS Reform Initiative" now known as TRICARE

That day Air Force MSC Colonel Hugh Smith was Commander of that Clinic
McClellan was Hugh's second DBMS assignment
He was one of the first MSC's to successfully tackle a medical facility commander job

I was COO of Foundation Health Federal Services
Having retired from the Air Force a year or so earlier
I was there to congratulate the Colonel and his family as the very first ever to enroll in the program
It was a fine day, it is a great program and almost 26 years later we all have many reasons to celebrate it

The Colonel and yours truly

After my VA visit, I moseyed over to the BX to hang out a bit as I had't been in one in years
I couldn't help but notice all the crusty old varmints wandering around there
Some in suspenders, wheelchairs, walkers and so on
They made me feel younger than my years but then I know my day is coming
(Pretty sure Don P already has suspenders) 

Inside I noticed some products with the 'new' 10-year old Air Force logo on it
I reckon it is a sure sign of aging that I don't care for it
I am all for new but would have preferred something with a little more classic look
Instead of the stealth fighter similarities
Or are those wings folded more like a paper airplane?
But if you check it out on Wikipedia you will find out it was
A popular choice so there you have it


Lunch beckoned so I grabbed a fast food sandwich and sat outside
On a beautiful day taking in my surroundings
The commissary next door, barracks nearby, theater
And Clinic of course
All seemed comfortable...
Like home to me

26 years after leaving I can say
It was good
I am glad I spent all that time
With the Air Force
And with you who served with me

3/17/2018 update:  Here it is four years later and time seems to heal...or warp depending.  I now have grown accustomed to the new Air Force logo and in fact kind of like it...Whodathunk?!