FANCY MEETING YOU HERE!

Who would have thought that there would be a chance encounter that would bring two old friends together? Imagine meeting up again, in of all places, the Rehabilitation Therapy Gym in a nursing home.

Who would have imagined this?

This is exactly what happened when two old friends recognized each other when they were both in the gym. “We were 8 feet apart when we recognized each other,” both nodded in agreement.

James Rivett and Daniel Campbell had been more than just acquaintances for over 70 years. As young children, they were playmates, both living in the same neighborhood. “Although not on the same black, we were great friends played together,” says James Rivett. Daniel Campbell nodded in agreement.

Both gentlemen went to the same schools. While attending Sacramento High School, they also dated the same girl. “Neither one of us ended up with her,” says Dan. “And we both tried,” said James. After graduation from Sac High, as the school is affectionately known to alumni, both went into the service, serving in the United States Air Force. I was sent to defend the Aleutian Islands in 1942 as Dan went to Europe. My plane was a P38 “Lightening” and Dan flew a P47 “Jug.”

James went on to describe a special memory- event of his training days in the Air Force. “I was the instructor for night training and we were flying over Boulder Dam. During a night flight, with 21 planes coming down in a “Y” formation, we dove 400 feet down to avoid a head-on collision with another group of planes and were actually 15 feet above ground when my landing gear hit a power line and blacked out all of Los Angeles. I made it back to George Air Base in Victorville with the power of one engine and a wobbly landing gear.” When asked if he got into trouble for causing the blackout, he said, “I actually got a commendation for bringing back the plane in one piece. Well, they weren’t too happy about the blackout.” Their friendship continued after both got back safely from the war and both actually worked together for many years until retirement.

Imagine meeting up again, in of all places, the rehab gym at Gramercy Court.

www.gramercycourt.com