11 August 2013

Sunday in the A.M.: There's Good News Today

This morning is a carbon-copy of yesterday: 53 degrees and raining, a steady drizzle falling gently from grey skies which have been our constant companion since August began. The leaves were starting to look a little the worse for wear, after two months of dry, sunny days with more temps in the 70s than most folks now alive can remember.

The last time we had a summer like this was in 1936, and next summer will resound with a constant whine about how last year was so nice.

It's Alaska, buckaroo. Cowboy up.  :)

* * * * *

The news reports are filled with bad things and stories of bad people, as the talking heads gleefully continue their mantra of gloom-and-doom.

So wash your imaginations out with this:
A group of Fairbanks paddlers is being credited with saving the life of a teen-ager during a trip down the Gulkana.
   
Doctors, rescuers and family members say if the paddlers hadn't come to the aid of Kraig Hammond he would have died.
   
The Fairbanks News-Miner reports the group was a couple of days into a five-day trip when they encountered 17-year-old Kraig Hammond and his father, Rick.
   
The father asked for their help, explaining that the teen had injured his knee, but it became swollen and inflamed during their trip and he was showing other signs of infection.
   
They made Kraig and Rick part of their group and then signaled for help with an emergency beacon.
   
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson sent a helicopter. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors say he arrived just in time.

You're welcome!

7 comments:

eiaftinfo said...

Good news always helps to start the day . . . sounds like a good save!

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, sir; they did good!

PioneerPreppy said...

The boy and his father were lucky. Good thing some well meaning folks were on the river. Huzzah to the rescuers!!

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Preppy. :)

Old NFO said...

Outstanding! And the ARES folks are damn good up there!

NavyOne said...

Neat, love hero stories. Gotta tip my hat to them!

Rev. Paul said...

Yes they are, NFO. Thanks.

Good to hear from you, NavyOne - fair winds, Sailor!