My Army buddy Howard Gage, I call him Gage, because as you all know we call out last names in the military, and I just got used to calling him Gage. His family calls him Howard  

Gage is my ol Army buddy from way back, after Panama Just Cause I ETS'd out and he continued on to Kosovo, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, he did his time, paid his dues with PTSD and all the troubles that go along with it, and I need prayers for my friend. We have been in touch and hung out since we met each other in 1990 while in the Army and just a few years back he moved to within 1hour of us and we visit and hang out.

 

Gage was having some issues that took him to the docs office two days ago, and it was discovered that he has a cancer tumor in his esophagus. He is pretty low right now, and can barely eat, his wife is trying to get food down him but it's hard, he is very weak right now. He is a strong man, good ol boy who's not afraid of much, never seen him waiver, loves his guns and his Harley's, and most of all, loves his Family (wife and three kids and three grand kids), and we all love him back. We will be finding out soon what stage his cancer his in.

 

Please pray for my friend, pray that whatever path he goes on, that he will find strength, and that he will know God is his guiding light in these challenging times.

 

He retired from federal service at Twenty Nine Palms Marine Corp Base here in Southern CA just this past Christmas, then he and his wife purchased their dream home in North Carolina, moved, was having a wonderful time over the past three months, and then this hit.

 

Thank you to all who will lift my friend and his family up in prayer, I greatly appreciate it, prayer is powerful.

 

Image below is my buddy at left, and me at his home for a barbecue, we often barbecued together, my wife and his wife are best friends, they are both from Panama, we always had a great time, he's one of those buddies that we could go a year without seeing each other, and when we do, it's like a beat was never skipped. We talk about anything, all of it, and sometimes just sat in silence in each others company, feeling no obligation to speak, yep, that kind of friend.

 

Thank you friends,

 

Sorry to hear this John. Prayers for Gage and his family.

Sorry to hear about this John, we shall light a candle and pray for your comrade.

 

 

+1 for prayers for Howard and his family.  Miracles do happen.  

1 minute ago, FlGatorwood said:

Miracles do happen.  

I agree and have proof.  Psalm 23 is untouched.

 

 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Sending prayers for him and his family. Cancer sucks

Prayers sent.

You got it, John. Gage is in my thoughts and prayers.

You got it John.

I hate that "C" word.

Thoughts and prayers for Gage and his family, and for John and his family.

Praying for both your families.

John

Thank you brothers. I greatly appreciate it.

Update, yesterday Gage had a port inserted into his chest, to accept the chemo, they are going to start Chemo today or Monday, along with radiation. He's home just resting. Still praying for ya buddy!

More prayers for him and his family.

Thank you, John, for the update.  It can be a good thing.  Prayers continuing.  Have a great Easter everyone.  

Thoughts and Prayers for Gage and family and friends.

Hope all goes well, will continue to pray for your friend.

 

I would light another candle but we are experiencing technically difficulties.  My wife got confused and put the candles in the microwave instead of her lunch.

August 11th my good friend Gage succumbed to "after surgery" issues. I will miss him dearly.

 

Gage was doing really well, he did his chemo for weeks on end and reduced the tumors in his esophagus, then last week he went in for surgery to have part of the esophagus removed along with the rest of the cancer, and sewn back to his upper stomach, it was a great success, even the surgeons were happy and marveled how well it went, they biopsied his body for left over cancer and were able to officially call him cancer free this last Wednesday.

He was recovering as expected, his family was calm, and happy, they were looking forward to having dad home and get back to life, then on Sunday he had difficulty breathing, a fever, and it got worse, by the early morning Monday they had him back in surgery trying to find out what it was that was causing all of this, they could find nothing, till later his kidney's started to fail, and the toxins took over, and by Tuesday after noon he was gone, the family is devastated and our home has been in a somber mood these past few days.

 

He will be buried tomorrow with full military honors, and after the burial one of his sons returns to his Air Force base in Texas, the other goes back home to his family, and his daughter will return to her family and their mama will be alone to think and reflect. My wife and I are flying out next week to be with his wife, I'll stay for the weekend, and then I'll fly back home to return to work, leaving my wife behind so she can stay and help her friend for a few weeks to a month, whatever it takes.

I wish I could be there tomorrow for the burial, but I just can't, I hope Gage understands and I hope he is looking down and approving of our decision to be with his only love wife to help her as much as we can next week though.

 

I miss him already, not only will I miss my buddy, but a piece of my past has left me, the part of me that was young, and in service of our country, raising hell, being stupid, being brave, the beers and songs he and I had together back then, the travels and exploration of a foreign land we were both in together, the women we ended up marrying from that same foreign land, who are still best friends with each other today, all the memories that we used to talk about when we'd reunion and at barbecues. And now that's what I have left, memories.

 

Gage, you will always be in my heart ol buddy, now, GIVE EM HELL!

 

Howard Gage, February 10, 1996. Darmstadt, Germany. While stationed there he purchased his brand new Harley, he still has it today, and I do believe his younger son is riding it home  

 

Godspeed Gage, rest in peace.

RIP brother, you earned it.