Wartime doc’s fishing retreat

9/11/01 sends Dr. Mac to Afghanistan to saves lives and back home he finds solace in his favorite fishing locale.

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<p>  </p> <p> This is where Dr. Mac was stationed, the most forward surgical base in Afghanistan.</p>
 

This is where Dr. Mac was stationed, the most forward surgical base in Afghanistan.

<p>  </p> <p> This is what he looked like when he got there. That's Dr. Mac on the right ... we can't say anything about the guy standing next to him.</p>
 

This is what he looked like when he got there. That’s Dr. Mac on the right … we can’t say anything about the guy standing next to him.

<p> This Twin Tower painting in Afghanistan was done with a hypodermic needle.</p>
This Twin Tower painting in Afghanistan was done with a hypodermic needle.
<p>  </p> <p> Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" McAllister -  "Dr. Mac," both to and for me.</p>
 

Lt. Col. Robert “Bob” McAllister –  “Dr. Mac,” both to and for me.

<p>  </p> <p> Mac ... and the 947th Forward Surgical Team.</p>
 

Mac … and the 947th Forward Surgical Team.

<p>  </p> <p> This is the converted goat barn where the 947th performed surgery. It is also the place that was raked by machine gun fire while they were performing surgery.</p>
 

This is the converted goat barn where the 947th performed surgery. It is also the place that was raked by machine gun fire while they were performing surgery.

<p>  </p> <p> That's the most forward surgical unit that comes in boxes off of helicopters. "Once we get there we can push the boxes off the back deck and crack a chest in surgery in 15 minutes."</p>
 

That’s the most forward surgical unit that comes in boxes off of helicopters. “Once we get there we can push the boxes off the back deck and crack a chest in surgery in 15 minutes.”

<p>  </p> <p> Mac performing surgery with Brian Eastridge in the goat barn.</p>
 

Mac performing surgery with Brian Eastridge in the goat barn.

<p>  </p> <p> Mac in a hospital he and his guys set up in town for the people of Afghanistan. "People are people are people."</p>
 

Mac in a hospital he and his guys set up in town for the people of Afghanistan. “People are people are people.”

<p> The 9/11/02 ceremony on the most forward fire base.</p>
The 9/11/02 ceremony on the most forward fire base.
<p>  </p> <p> The Chaplain saying prayers on 9/11/02.</p>
 

The Chaplain saying prayers on 9/11/02.

<p>  </p> <p> "And when I looked around ... everyone was crying."</p>
 

“And when I looked around … everyone was crying.”

<p> Mac and some guys we can't talk about.</p>
Mac and some guys we can’t talk about.
<p> There's a ritual to fishing with Dr. Mac. First, we stop here.</p>
There’s a ritual to fishing with Dr. Mac. First, we stop here.
<p> He buys a rod he doesn't need.</p>
He buys a rod he doesn’t need.
<p> Then we hit a donut place, a sub place, and at Twin Lakes he carries that bucket to the bait shop to buy some kind of bait fish.</p>
Then we hit a donut place, a sub place, and at Twin Lakes he carries that bucket to the bait shop to buy some kind of bait fish.
<p> While he does his ritual stuff, I take pictures. We're a good team like that.</p>
While he does his ritual stuff, I take pictures. We’re a good team like that.
<p> Aah, he's still buying bait.</p>
Aah, he’s still buying bait.
<p> Sometimes he takes pictures. Here I am about two and a half minutes away from a rain storm,  holding the donut holes INSIDE the Frabill Rainsuit, and I don't care what their commercials say. If it is going to rain and you have donuts, even the powdered ones stay dry. Just saying.</p>
Sometimes he takes pictures. Here I am about two and a half minutes away from a rain storm,  holding the donut holes INSIDE the Frabill Rainsuit, and I don’t care what their commercials say. If it is going to rain and you have donuts, even the powdered ones stay dry. Just saying.
<p> Mac must be doing some ritual thing again.</p>
Mac must be doing some ritual thing again.
<p> Even on a clear day, there is something back there that I can't see.</p>
Even on a clear day, there is something back there that I can’t see.
For some reason there are castles in Connecticut, I have no idea why. Cool shot but it still freaks me out a bit. I won't be night fishing around here that's for sure.
For some reason there are castles in Connecticut, I have no idea why. Cool shot but it still freaks me out a bit. I won’t be night fishing around here that’s for sure.
Those hands gave me back the ability to walk without pain...and also a bunch of donut holes.
Those hands gave me back the ability to walk without pain…and also a bunch of donut holes.
I had just said,
I had just said, “Dude, are you fishing or talking?” If you said talking…
Mac saw it, I saw it ... but we were talking about Afghanistan and the men he commanded and Mac the avid angler never left his seat. In battle, that's the type of Commander you want.
Mac saw it, I saw it … but we were talking about Afghanistan and the men he commanded and Mac the avid angler never left his seat. In battle, that’s the type of Commander you want.
Twin Lakes, Salisbury, Conn.
Twin Lakes, Salisbury, Conn.
That's the look I get when Mac sends me to get physical therapy and I end up getting a spicy Italian sub from Subway instead.
That’s the look I get when Mac sends me to get physical therapy and I end up getting a spicy Italian sub from Subway instead.
Yep - Mac must be doing another ritual.
Yep – Mac must be doing another ritual.