Coast Guard Recognition Makes Surgery Easy!

[Dave Smith]

I wanted to send out a sincere thanks to Factory Five Coupe customer Carlos C. for his gift of a coast guard flag and cap during his pick-up last weekend.

https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DSC_0435.jpg

I had planned to be at the pick-up but I was in Manhattan at a hospital having double hip resurfacing (reason for crutches) which is similar to hip replacement but with titanium caps on the head of the femur! Think of it as a tear down and ring job for my well-used hips (thanks Univ. of Wisconsin Track and Field!)

Anyway, while I was out, I missed Carlos and his pick-up. I also missed the cool flag and cap he left for me and Joe in Tech.

We will be adding this service flag to our patriot wall and I wanted to say thanks to Carlos for his thoughtfulness and business.
But there is a back story though because I ended up seeing the pick-up in another way... I had surgery in NYC at HSS on Monday the 31st and was discharged on Thursday morning. My wife drove me back home to Rhode Island (despite my protests that I was good to drive, no-one would hand the keys over to me all drugged up and in a wheel chair!).

Well, on the drive back, along 95 north in Connecticut, I saw Carlos (!!!) at a rest-stop on the southbound side refuelling! It's hard to miss a bright red FFR Coupe on an open trailer, medicated or not! So I called the office and got his cell and called him up to say thanks for his service and the gift of the Coast Guard flag and cap.

I'm back at work now exactly one week after surgery. I'm moving slower, but the crew have taken up the slack and haven't missed a beat! I'll be at full strength soon and whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself of having a bit of trouble with the post-op pain, all I have to do is look up at our wall of patriots and think of the great men and women who are recovering from terrible injuries at Walter Reed and other military hospitals and how my surgery was by choice, rather than necessity!

Thanks to all those in our Armed Forces, Coast Guard, Reservists, Police, Fire, and all First Responders who stand on the wall and protect us everyday.

https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/showroom-flags.jpg

[68GT500MAN]

That flag will look great up on the patriot wall (it has GROWN a lot since I saw it). And to you Dave, get well soon.
Doug

[Garry Bopp]

Dave,

Thanks to Carlos C. for his service and for having the good taste to build a coupe!

Glad to hear of the successful "rebuild" program you went through. See you at the Open House ... my first time ever to that great event.

Garry

[Raceral]

That is a very special wall. Get well soon Dave.

[Mark Dougherty]

And so it goes.
Dave is no long original equipment. He has started down the slippery slope of aftermarket parts.

No really Dave glad to see you back at work. and that you are on the mend.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Glad to hear the surgery went well David. You are the inspiration for many of us and you don't even know it. Carlos - than you for your service.

Henrry

[Kalstar]

Glad to hear the surgery went well David. You are the inspiration for many of us and you don't even know it. Carlos - than you for your service.

Henrry

Carlos, thank you for standing the line. In years past the Coast Guard was looked at as puddle pirates, now they are (in many cases) the first and last protectors of our freedoms, be it terrorist, smugglers or drug traffickers, the CG is there. You are owed great amount of gratitude that does not go unappreciated by this fellow F5R'er.

As for Dave, there are so many jokes that spring to mind, I mean soooooo many, but I'll be nice :-)

[WIS89]

Hey Dave-

Glad you got your suspension upgraded, and everything turned out OK! Pleased that you are back at work, and in shorts no less; that's a sure sign spring is here!

Speaking of UW though, your Badgers did Badger nation proud this year.

Hope your other track team is doing well!

Regards,

Steve

[luvaz]

Dave,

Thanks for sharing an inspirational and patriotic message. Here's to a full recovery and hope to see you in HB! :D

Thanks,
Will

[Vman7]

Thanks Dave for sharing about your surgery and that it went well. May you have a great recovery :)

Thanks to Carlos for his service in the USGC. That's a good size flag, will look great on the Patriot Wall.

David

[Don DePontee]

Dave, glad to hear your surgery went well but surprised you didn't make your own parts on your CNC unit ;-) Take care of yourself and I will see you at Huntington Beach!
Don