It doesn't happen very often, but every now and then you meet someone that 'gets' you, someone who understands everything about you because they're the same as you. The deep bond of friendship forms very quickly and stays there forever, even though life eventually separates you by hundreds and maybe thousands of miles. You stay in touch because the two of you are kindred souls, sharing something that words can't explain.
For me, one of those people was TSgt Gary Bumgardner, the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Dining Hall at the 3711th Basic Military Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, Texas where I was a Military Training Instructor in the early '80s. Gary and I had so much in common that it was scary, and I daresay I've never met anyone quite like him since. We had so many things in common that it was hard to believe.
We stayed in touch after both of us left Lackland for other assignments and stayed in touch after we both retired, with him going home to Ohio and me going to my new home in New Jersey.
Last year Gary called me to tell me he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, even though he never smoked a day in his life.
A little before 8PM tonight his wife Linda contacted me and informed me that Gary passed away this evening around six PM.
To say I'm heartbroken would be an understatement. I've had three people in my life that I would use the term 'best friend' with, and he was one of them.
For me, the world is a little bit darker tonight.
I'll see you later, my friend.
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