The Boomer Magazine: Retire Right....Fighter Pilots and Raptors

Normally, when I write one of my retiree's story it is strictly about that person. In this case, Col. Mike Hinkle suggested I give equal coverage to "Last Chance Forever." He is a committed man.

"Last Chance Forever" is a 501(c)3 established to care for sick, injured or orphaned birds of prey. They are San Antonio based and use volunteers and donations to stay afloat.

After thirty-three years as an Air Force fighter pilot, Mike retired. The picture above was taken in Viet Nam in 1969. In retirement he intended to pursue his wood carving hobby and just kick back.

Mike enjoyed carving hawks, eagles, falcons and just about any other type bird. I don't know if it was a subconscious thing or if he realized as a fighter pilot he was the human version of the birds of prey.

When he needed to look at real life models he found the "Last Chance Forever" conservatory. They are well known as one of the best places for injured birds of prey. At the conservancy, he was able to take pictures and handle all the species he imitated with wood and knife.

He first discovered the organization in 1995 and has been volunteering ever since. Mike is involved with the public education programs. He teaches kids and adults about raptors. Naturally he brings a few along for show. According to his colleagues, Mike is always a hit.

The programs are held in schools, parks and nature centers. He says the crowd loves the owls, the hawks and falcons but always "ooh" and "ah" when they see the majestic Bald Eagles.

The Colonel said he liked the idea of working with an effective private organization. He says it is a bonus to him that they take no government funds.

When I read about the Last Chance Forever and the Freedom Cruise, we called and signed up right away. On the day of the cruise we drove deep into the Texas Hill country to Lake Buchanan. There we joined seventy-five other folks boarding the little ship.

The tour boat went up the Colorado into a canyon. The crowd watched as the rehabilitated birds were released from the top deck. As the birds soared away the crowd cheered. It was a neat experience.

We had no idea how much work and time had been put into these birds. It had been quite a job healing them and then getting them ready to go back into the wilds.

Colonel Mike tells me birds come in with all kinds of injuries. Some don't make it. Others take months to rehabilitate. Some end up staying at the conservancy for the rest of their lives. Each one has to be fed and exercised daily. Several volunteer veterinarians work on the birds.

When the birds are well, they are tested to see if they still know how to make a living in the wild. If they do, they are released back to the wild country.

The Colonel says you really have to be dedicated to helping the birds. After watching volunteers clean and cut up beef hearts, clean poop from bird cages, mow the yard and all the other dirty jobs, I believe it.

The founder, John Karger told me the Colonel is the go to guy whenever he really needs help. Mike is on call around the clock and has done every job in the place. He still cleans cages or whatever it takes to make things work.

This ex-fighter pilot has a real feeling for nature's own aerial warriors. I couldn't help but think of the similarity of his career and the birds. Birds of a feather I say..........Colonel Mike Hinkle is not only a very bright, talented man but a hell of a nice guy to boot.

I enjoyed visiting with both he and his friends at Last Chance Forever.

If you live in the San Antonio area and would like to volunteer, see the email addresses below. If you would like to donate please get in touch with John Karger or any one at the Conservancy. They could use your help.