Gil at last year's Springfield show. Always enjoyed Bluemex and will miss him greatly. Loved to tease him now and then and he had a good sense of humor. Here is a little story about him. Gil and I would trade political barbs now and then but never took it too seriously. At the 2017 National in Colorado Springs I was the Emcee at the banquet. At one point from the back of the room I stated that the humor that night would be free of politics. I then removed my jacket and walked back up to the stage. On my back was pinned a Trump/Pence sign. The laughs spread throughout the room when suddenly someone stood up and yelled, "I want that sign when you're done so I can burn it"! As you've already guessed, it was Gil. At the end of the banquet, I gave Gil the sign and found out later that he did in fact burn it, LOL. At the Western Regional in Helena a couple years later I had my chance to poke a little more fun at Gil. At the banquet I recreated Carnac from the Johnny Carson show. For those who do not remember, Carnac was dressed in a turban and cape a little like a sultan. Carnac would have a series of blank envelopes and had to guess the contents. During my Carnac skit I took one of the envelopes and put it to my forehead and magically said, "A MAGA hat and a Build the Wall T-shirt". I then opened the envelope and pulled out the card inside which said, "Name two poor Christmas gift ideas for Gil Hedges"! The room erupted in laughter. Gil stood up in back and yelled, "I'll get you for that"! It was probably the best laugh of the evening. After the banquet Gil walked up to me said he had to admit that was pretty good. He then offered to buy me a drink at the bar. I gladly accepted and we had a nice time enjoying a couple of tall cold ones together. I loved that about Gil. Although I was right leaning and he was well, VERY left leaning, we got along and didn't take it too seriously. I'll miss you Gil and I will think about you every time I see the beautiful Emerald Green 133.5 I got from you. I hope you are in much greener pastures my friend. As a side note, we seem to be losing people way too often these days. Let go of any grudges you might have in the hobby before it's too late.