LLL: Rescues from the Sky

Coming to LLL Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Lodge

Rescues from the Sky
Presented by Lee F. Fanning, author, aka Lee F. Walters MD

The book Rescues from the Sky features the true stories of the US Coast Guard Aviation Medical Rescue Service as seen through the eyes of a wet-behind-the-ears flight surgeon fresh out of training. The events it recounts took place during the author's experience while stationed at US Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco from 1971 to 1973. The rescues are described in detail and include

- The crash of a 747 on the runway on the author's first day of work

- The hijacking of a 737 by two Bulgarians

- The rescue of a woman bleeding from an abortion performed on a Russian submarine

Though written under a pseudonym for personal reasons, this is a work of non-fiction that has been approved by the Motion Picture and Television Office of the United States Coast Guard. Several of the incidents recounted are also well-documented in newspapers from the era.

About our presenter  Following his stint in the Coast Guard, Lee F. Walters, MD, spent 36 years as a board-certified internist and infectious disease consultant. During his career he wrote many medical articles that were refereed and published in medical magazines like JAMA, the official journal of the American Medical Association. Lee has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the US Coast Guard Commendation medal for the San Viken rescue of a crewman who fell 90 feet into a hold in a storm (recounted in the book), two teaching awards, and Top Doc awards from Phoenix, Arizona and State College, Pa. He lives in Charlotte, NC, with his soulmate of 38 years and is preparing to start his next book.