Today, I acted like Joe Biden

[AverageOldGuy]

We have lived in a rural VA county for 18 years after retiring, me from the Army, my wife from teaching. When we arrived here and built our house, we looked for volunteer opportunities. I met a guy who recruited me into the local volunteer rescue squad, first driving an ambulance, then as an assistant to the EMTs, then EMT, and finally I earned Paramedic certification.

I have been captain of the squad for past 5 years. Last week I responded to five rescue calls, all after midnight, three with serious injuries from falls, a heart attack that went from mild to big time, and a stroke. I was absolutely physically and mentally exhausted. The last two patients, after we got them on the stretcher, we had to roll them across a wooden deck, down rickety stairs, across uneven lawn and gravel driveway to the ambulance . . . I was on one end of the stretcher praying that I would not drop the patient.

I'll be 80 in December. I have neuropathy in one leg and spinal stenosis. I cannot do this any longer. Today, I met with the squad leadership -- 1LT, 2LT, Pres, VP -- and announced that I am retiring today. I will monitor the radio and help when I can but I will answer no more calls. I'll conduct training, order supplies, wash the ambulances, but the time has come . . . .

And that, folks, is the same decision Joe Biden made. He was right. And he was brave.

Anyone who claims that he's seething and angry needs to STFD and STFU and hope that you have his courage when your time comes. And it will.

[underpants]

1. Seriously thank you. That's a lot of service.

[Roy Rolling]

44. From an old guy, too

I also retired from 14-hour days as a medic. But how the hell did you make it to age 79 with the physical strength required? Much respect, my man, much respect.

But you deserve a change. When I retired an entire, more lucrative career started from there. I wasn’t expecting that, I just knew my knees hurt and couldn’t run anymore. 😂

[Silent Type]

2. Wow. You the man. Thanks.

[marble falls]

3. Best thing we'll read all day. 80 years old.

[magicarpet]

4. Gee whiz,.. that schedule at 80 yrs is way beyond the call of duty.

[snowybirdie]

5. Thank you

your service is commendable. You'll still be there to share your expertise. The best of both worlds. Job well done?

[hawkeye21]

6. I know a fat orange man who wouldn't do anything like that even if he could . . .

And he's two years younger than you.

Thank you for your service. You are what this country is really all about. And may you live long and continue to prosper.

[barbtries]

7. you have really gone above and beyond.

thank you. I'll be 69 this month and couldn't even begin to fathom doing what you were just last night! that's wild.

[applegrove]

8. Thank you for your service to your community.

[wordstroken]

9. Yep, just like Biden . . .

[dchill]

10. Thank you for jobs well done. 👍

[Karadeniz]

11. Youre a hero!!!!

[COL Mustard]

12. Thank you for serving.

You have given a lifetime of service, you've earned the chance to sit down and put your feet up. Let the young 'uns have their turn.

[Mr.Bill]

13. Thank you for your service.

When I retired I volunteered at our local hospital. I ran the waiting room for a small hospital in our small town, but only on Mondays. Easy job, but I'm not an early morning person and I had to be there at 5:30 am., but only on that day. I only did it for six years but then Covid shut down the volunteer program. I'm currently researching new volunteer jobs where we live now. Thanks for inspiring me to keep volunteering. I just turned 71.

[Hope22]

14. My heart goes out to you. You are sooo much more than average.

Thank you for all that you have done to make this world a better place. Congratulations to you and to President Biden for carrying it all until the time came to say enough! 💗💗💗🙏🏼💐

[gademocrat7]

15. Thank you

for rendering aid to the people in your community. You have a true servant’s heart. Enjoy retirement.

[redwitch]

16. You're amazing!

Enjoy some downtime, you have surely earned it!

[Botany]

17. Real leadership is quite and does it by example

both you and President Biden are examples of
real leadership.

On behalf of your co workers, your community,
and your friends here on DU thank you. And I hope you and your wife have a beautiful fall and one day when the sky is the bluest blue, the leaves are in color, and the temperature is
perfect you guys get to sit out and relax.

[PatrickforB]

18. Yep. After 36 years in public service, I'll be stepping down at the end of next year.

It has been a great ride, but as Steely Dan sang so long ago:

The world that we used to know
People tell me it don't turn no more
The places we used to go
Familiar faces that ain't smilin' like before
The time of our time has come and gone
I fear we been waiting too long

I've been midnight cruisin' for a long time, and going into my late sixties. Nearly time to move on...

As to you, that is a pretty amazing story of selfless service. Good for you! And bless you for all the lives you've helped save. I've always felt we all create ripples through our actions, our words, and yes, even our thoughts. Think of all the ripples those who serve have created. I have often told young professionals I train that you never know but what some little thing you say or do can literally make a lifetime of difference for someone.

We cannot forget that. Ever.

[OldBaldy1701E]

21. Yes, but it isn't that difficult to tell them.

I have often told young professionals I train that you never know but what some little thing you say or do can literally make a lifetime of difference for someone.

I agree with you, but it sure helps the person having the impact when they are told that something they did had a positive effect on someone. Otherwise, one tends to go around with the thought that nothing they do has or ever will matter.

And that leads to 'why bother?'.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

19. Heh, I'm just hoping to -live- to 80

No idea of what I'm predisposed for as I age, no family history. So I'm hoping for 20 more years with my wife til 80.

[oasis]

20. You have served well. Thank you.

[FemDemERA]

22. Thank you for your service.

[usonian]

23. Joe will achieve all his goals, without the howler monkeys and haters on his back.

He will have broken the glass barrier for presidents, and will have beaten Trump (again) WITHOUT EVEN RUNNING.

The greatest.

[onethatcares]

24. for YOU about to stop!

I salute you.

[Biophilic]

25. Acting like Joe Biden puts you in a very special group. An honorable one.

[onetexan]

26. Thank you for your volunteer service sir, and thank you for the reminder to everyone to appreciate our GREAT Prez Biden.

[yardwork]

27. And this is the BEST of America. You and Joe Biden and countless others.

Decent, honest, hardworking people who give their best. You are what makes America great. Not the MAGATs, not Trump, not the complainers.

THANK YOU.

[c-rational]

28. Good for you!

[LoisB]

29. What a life of service you have had Thank you

[Joinfortmill]

30. You, sir, are a hero.

[Rocknation]

31. Biden was right. And brave. And clever.

Clever enough to leave Trump on the ballot as the OTHER candidate who was too old and cognitively impaired to be fit to hold public office.

I think we were ALL psy-opped, possibly with the help with Barack "The Rope-A-Dope Kid" Obama. But I'm not complaining...


Rocknation

[canetoad]

32. Going out like a hero

Well done.

[markie]

33. ....

[surfered]

34. You went above and beyond my friend! Aging comes without a manual because we are all different.

I’m a little behind you, but I notice I’m slowing down. I could blame Covid, heat, travel with the wife and lack of quality surf, but Father Time is a MF.

[calimary]

35. Yep. Torches are meant to be passed gracefully.

And with love and with care. That’s a symbolic passage that is as significant as anyone can imagine it gets.

[proud patriot]

36. My husband also has spinal stenosis

[wblffmike]

37. Congratulations!

I was a paid oncall firefighter/EMT for 26 years, retiring at 61 years age. For you to do it until 80 is impressive. I remember the feeling of rolling the stretcher across uneven ground. Enjoy your retirement!

[democratsruletheday]

38. You don't sound like an 'Avg.OldGuy' to me....

far from it, what a difference you've made in countless lives. Enjoy your semi-retirement, you've earned it.

[onecaliberal]

39. President Biden is the most consequential President in my life to now.

President Biden made a conscious decision because he is a selfless man. I can’t think of another man that is capable of making such a decision.

[LeftInTX]

40. Wow!! I didn't know any nurses who were over 70! Everyone plain old retired.

[markodochartaigh]

42. Back before I retired as a registered nurse in

Texas, I knew a number of nurses, and ancillary staff who still worked past 70. Nursing used to not pay that much, indeed where I worked we were forced to work unpaid overtime and paid straight time instead of time and a half when we were paid. Also, until the last decade or so home prices in most of Texas hadn't ballooned, so there wasn't some gigantic nest egg from paying off a house. Now that I'm pushing 70, I don't know how they did it.

[h2ebits]

41. Absolutely correct thing for you to do

I have been and will continue to be a Joe Biden fan. He is correct to be taking care of himself by resigning at the end of his term.

There is too much going on the world right now for his attention to be diverted to the campaign trail and we need him now to be the President.

And, congratulations to you for recognizing that you are done and acting on it.

[HeartsCanHope]

43. Thank you for serving the people of your community. Take care.

[Cha]

45. Ohh... Good on You, AOG!!!

[MLAA]

46. You are going to need to change your user name. You are clearly NOT average in any way!

May I suggest: WAYWAYWAYaboveaverageoldguy

[twodogsbarking]

47. Virginia is for lovers. Enjoy. Don't work part-time.

[et tu]

48. rural areas are in great need

of volunteers and you have given your all!
our bodies may wear out, but not our spirits!

[dameatball]

49. You sir, are far from average. Well done.

I spent about seven years in Damascus, VA. Rural Virginia is beautiful.

[Siwsan]

50. I wonder if there was a lot of strategy behind Joe's deciding to withdraw

Like maybe the decision was made well ahead of the announcement because they knew the effect it would have. It might have been an epic psych out.

It certainly shook up the convicted felon's plans.

Congrats on your retirement!!

[Ocelot II]

51. You are far more than an average old guy,

and you've more than earned your retirement. In large and small ways we all have to be able to figure out when it's time to hang it up. In his late 80s, my dad was still driving, and he loved his car and the freedom it gave him. He had moved to a senior apartment after my mom died, and he kept active and liked to get out during the day (he wouldn't drive at night). But one day he had an accident. It wasn't serious, just a fender-bender, but it damaged someone else's car a bit as well as his own. And then he understood that the accident happened because he wasn't seeing as well or reacting as quickly as he used to, so he decided to stop driving and sell the car. I know it was hard for him ; he didn't like having to rely on others in order to go anywhere - but we didn't have to talk him into it or take the keys away from him. I guess in a small way that was a little bit like your retirement or Biden's decision; if we have enough self-awareness we'll give up the keys ourselves, gracefully.

[iluvtennis]

52. Wow. Now, go enjoy your full retirement. n/t

[CoopersDad]

53. Proud to be Rec #300

It rarely gets this high, your post deserves to be seen, read, and followed.

Thank you for your remarkable service.

[CaptainTruth]

54. You can be proud of all you've done!

Thank you!

[malaise]

55. Great OP

Rest my friend

[chia]

56. You are an extraordinary all day every day hero. Thank you for your service to your country and community.