07/01/2021
A Salute to "Our" Veterans" Complex at Tampa Florida!...... Referencing my recent experiences and treatment of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) plus at the Veterans Memorial and James A. Haley, Veterans Hospital, at Tampa, Florida..
Shihan Gary Alexander am pleased to offer the following
Account of my now, two (2) months of treatment at this Veterans Medical Showplace that leaves no stones unturned to provide their Patients with the most advanced Professional Personnel, and Knowledge Base, State of Arts Medical Equipment, and an extensive dedicated, professional, friendly force of operating line troops at levels of specialized subject matter from a wide range of reconstructive therapies, supporting hands on medical operations, and the unimaginable myriad of hundreds of logistical services supporting an operation of this magnitude and all with high levels of pride, satisfaction, and professionalism, with excellence as they gladly serve their returning countrymen in their time of need after having served to defend their brothers, sisters, families and country from dangers from aggressor adversaries from which we are threatened ! .....The major weight of controlling this magnificent Medical Operation that I have been privileged to meet falls upon the shoulders of world class leaders in their professions ....Doctors Steven G. Scott, D.O. Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services and.... Doctor Rafael Mascarinas, Medical Doctor and ..... "Special Thanks" ..... to my Sons Doug and Greg and Lifetime friend and GA/IAMA Black Belt Major Bill Chatfield all for their relentless support throughout my 6 month ordeal in recovery ........................ As a matter of adding weight to the remarks to the Author of this article, Gary Alexander "Shihan" is a 65 year Fighting Karate-ka plus former Marine of W-1-9-3 "Covert Operation Strongback" (Philippines 1957) a Pioneer Founder and Undefeated Fighter of his Combative MMA (Mixed "Marine" Bare Fi**ed Martial Arts) before their was ever a name for it..... He was the "First" and "Only" ever at that time Mas Oyama International and North American Karate Champion (Held Madison Square Garden 1962) ....... (Website: garyalexanderkarate.com) ........
I am a lifelong "New Jersey" resident embedded in the Practice, Training, and an Innovative Bare Fi**ed Martial Arts Fighter known Worldwide (Seminars, Tournaments, Banquets throughout)...... as such I have never given up on my personal teachings and training regardless of caring friends and associates telling me to slow down which for me, is was hard to do!...... Consequently last September 2020 at age 82 I was out jogging along a roadside and I tripped face down (no Judo breakfalls which I had taught to my students for the past 60 years and used a thousand times myself on other occasions to save myself!.???...... this time ..."age 82"... against all warnings, I fell driving my head into the "Curbside" fracturing my skull, breaking my nose, and a few other body parts, bleeding profusely going down fast! .... I did not wake up for two (2) days and my first words to my Sons were "let it go, I am not coming out of this.!!!" ..... they would not let me go and the local diagnosis from Trauma was to get him into a warm climate, under the best care, and these Veterans Hospitals at Tampa were chosen. .... The choice could not have been better for me to sustain my recovery over the past months for the major reasons outlined in my first paragraph and I am so glad for quick TBI recovery at the Medical and Polytrauma Veterans Hospital TLC unrelenting.....Thank you to all my new friends at these great Veterans Hospitals. I am being released after being here for "Only 2 months!. .....Please Note: This article is Copyrighted to the author and for the express use / distribution by the Veterans Hospitals mentioned therein. Other special permissions available by request in writing.
