gary Loken

sloken@austin.rr.com

May 3, 1989 I was blessed with a gift of life. I got a heart transplant from a young man - age 37 - killed in an auto accident. I hope each of you consider organ donation as this was A GIFT OF LIFE FOR ME. Our son was a donor - and then I was a recipient. Think of it this way ... WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR -- Mother, Daughter, etc -- that needed an organ?? Remember Why take them to Heaven ... God knows we need them HERE. Please join in this battle to pass the word promoting ORGAN DONATION.

Graduated from Engineering School. Viet Nam for 13 months was education w/o degree !! School of hard knocks and many lessons until now. Fast cars, and many parties is what I really remember ... I even loved racing in USAC for a few years. Never grew out of that desire.

I always recall the band trip to New York. Fun and Great memories. Oh ya - then there was the one to Minneapolis where I and a couple others jumped off into the swimming pool from our room ... Old Sarge was not happy over that. Band was special and I am glad for those memories.

OH YA -- "HOOT" "HOOT" AND "GINO'S"

Looking to read some of your memories. Hay - More of ya send photos .. Not all of us we be able to make the reunion and fun - funny - to see how we all have changed.

Still love OLD CARS ... Drinking BEER ... and Having fun.
Involved in Christian Motorcyclists Association; Harley Owners Group; Church; Reading; EXERCISE DAILY for at least 2 hours.

I am an advocate for encouraging people to never say NEVER. If I would of stopped when I had my stroke, and the doctors wanted to put me into an institution never to return to my family, I would most likely be dead. You have to take your God Given Strength and fight back with every ounce of energy. I have encouraged other stroke patients, and heart transplant patients to NEVER GIVE UP. I find Never - a word that should be deleted from the vocabulary. I reply -- give me a bit of time and I will show you HOW I CAN -- and YOU can also. AND -- I DO IT.

All the above - + time with my schnauzer and malteeze dogs. They are my lap buddies!!

I like the investigation TV shows

Hardest - I am practicing daily to retrain my lips to cooperate and play the trumpet again. I often challenge the "Aflac" duck -- but I am not stopping. lip paralysis is hard but NOT IMPOSSIBLE. ( Sharon says she can even recognize some songs now ) I was voted one of the most to succeed -- I still try to succeed at EVERYTHING It may take me a bit longer - but once again NOTHING is impossible - Just a bit harder.

Go OLD ABE !!
Still love those PACKERS !!
NASCAR tops the list for summer - (I remember when ... I raced with folks like Petty, AJ, etc.etc. etc. ... )

Walked - and retrained my brain - after doctors said I would never function again after my stroke. I never say never ... and if someone tells me I CAN'T ... I tell them ... WAIT and I will figure out a way to do it.

Getting a HEART TRANSPLANT. Gift of Life changing one set of problems for another but worth it. Was 13 years ago on May 3, 2008. God is good Thanks to that family who gave me and others life.

Just had yearly check up -- Heart is doing good. Pushing on to year 14 with it ! Hope to break a record down the line -- oldest heart transplant !! Up to the Lord.

Latest Hobby -- Shooting!!! Collecting guns. Have to beat this president to the punch ... Everyone has a right to own and use a gun. In TX - heck ya have a right to shoot someone on your property. Of course the red tape will kill ya. I am still able to get a bulls eye - not bad for an "Old" man w/ one arm, and one eye working good. The stroke stole my sight in one eye -- But it is still fun and rewarding when I hit one in the center. RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS !!! Freedom of living in AMERICA.

Back to white sands of VN --

Alaska Cruise -- Railroad trip from Washington to California.

Take off on a motorcycle and travel the USA - This one
I will probably not get to do. My vision has been weakened by the medical problems -- but nice to dream. "Wife" took away my motorcycle lisc. - (3) accidents were too much for her to handle. OH well -- many other things in life to do.

Restoration of a '57 Ford Fairlane w/ Cont. Kit from factory. It is waiting in my back yard. I did do a '40 Ford Deluxe but sold it after some )(*& hit it and almost completely totaled it.

Being alive yet --- Survived VN; Stroke at 35; (Left paralysis slows me down but has NEVER stopped me); Heart transplant at 53; Married yet at age 66 (To the same person -- some of you thought I would never make it !!;) Made my Million dollars in life in spite of all the odds; - spent it too !! Great Dad; Being FROM the cold weather of Wisconsin - ha ha. Being able to accomplish what I have done with all the medical things I have had happen.

(3) dogs
German Shep - Have had one of these ALWAYS !!
Schnauzer
Malteeze / bechon (Dog Pound Dog)

Randall School
Bartlett Elementary
Old Middle School
Old High School -
MEMORIAL HS.

Milwaukee School of Engineering -- before it became part of the College it was the top in the USA. I am proud to say I had a 99.99 average - only missing a couple answers on a test. I was on the honor roll the complete time !!! Would of gotten an electrical and mechanical degree BUT Uncle Sam got me 1 semester from graduation and I never went back. Great accomplishment for me at MSOE.

HOOT - HOOT - GENOS - "18 yr old Beer Joints"
Sammy's (Went back there when in EC few years ago - still best pizza !!) 4- Corners -

Studied harder and took learning more serious. - (I had to talk my way into Milwaukee School of Engineering ... where I was an honor student with all 99 and above!) Not pissed off "Sarge" getting removed from the band (Jumped into the pool while on Sr. band trip in only my "boxers") He was really ))((*)&^! Band was one of my favorite classes - unbeknown to most of ya - I was offered a music scholarship. Turned it down to race cars. Another choice I regret a bit. I was good on the trumpet and loved music. Who knows --- I might of been famous ! Maybe another ... My dad was our little league baseball coach - being a former professional player. We were unbeatable. It may of been fun to stay in baseball during HS. Too late to turn back the hands of time !! Partied less - would of had a clearer head to study. That is about it.

Faith - Hope - & Cope ; One day at a time; The biggest regret I have in life in not trying more.

Family - Wife and Son after my Christian Faith.
My doctors who have kept me alive with the medical problems I have had.
Freedom to live in America.

Work hard - learn early that NOTHING in life is free. It will all come at a price ... money, time, experience, etc.

NEVER get into the car with anyone high or drunk. CALL SOMEONE. Funerals are not fun for the parents and loved ones of you.

Thank the military for keeping YOUR FREE.