Thank a Vet

[LeviM]

I got a chance to fish with adam and chris a couple of weekends ago, great guy, I never met such a die hard fisherman before! Good to see the vets being able to enjoy the outdoors

[Dcoy]

Yeh,no 'quit' in him at all.

[Pilgrim]

Content removed by Pilgrim 3/25.

[lyonch]

I dont get it pilgrim must be an inside joke

[Dcoy]

Pilgrim,
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[bucksnbears]

reading that post made me dizzy

[LeviM]

Now I am just confused!

[Dcoy]

Life.Its all in your mind.
I get up early intending to grab my bow and head out to try get a turkey only to find its raining,windy etc so after cussing a bit and feeling sorry for myself a bit I make some coffee and sit down at the computer to see whats up.Oops,there's an e-mail from an old USMC buddy.He's a lifer with lots of friends still active.A buddy of his in the Corps-together with others-had just been hit bad in Afghanistan and it was crushing.Bad.And just like that a lil rain,wind,and a missed hunt is put in perspective.Life.
Anyway strangely I ended up on this thread and reviewed the 'You tubes' and other clips here.The 'Warriors' clip referenced here mentions something about someone has to take out the trash for us now and then and that's not only necessary,its sometimes very costly as that clip also shows.Anyway,to cheer myself up I decide to review my pics from last years Operation Muskie and they lifted me a bit so I'll post a few more for you.Helping them,helps me,and maybe you.
First is one showing the table with goodies for the Vets on it.We provide each with a complete new outfit.On the other table is a soft Camo cooler thats embroidered with their names and 'Operation Muskie' lettering thats plum full of lures and other goodies.(this year we are doing the same but also providing Plano lure boxes so they can use the coolers as 'coolers' instead of tackle boxes-live and learn )The table pic was taken just after a bunch of us had assembly lined putting line on all those reels and packaging all the goodies.A task!
Next is a smiling fighter pilot who has just received his new goodies.I note the 'Marvin Windows' cap he's wearing.That morning the Vets had all met in Warroad,Mn to convoy together into Canada and meet us at the boat launch.They met at a restaurant there where the Marvin Windows company hosted a breakfast for them.One of the Marvin family was there in person to thank and welcome them.Outstanding!This guy,by the way,may look like a neighbor kid but he's a Lt.Col and had just presented me and others with placques and battle flag that had been carried in his fighter on combat missions.
Final pic is of a few more heros.On the left is Frank Walsh who,with his wife Laura,gave up their entire resort for a week to host this event free of charge.(about a $30,000 dollar contribution perhaps???This year we are insisting that they take a few thousand bucks but they are resisting.I'll win that battle though.)Salt of the earth people.You ever want to experience Lake Of The Woods and world class walleye,pike,bass and muskie fishing,consider going to their place.Baystore Camp on Oak Island.
The couple with Frank are Jim and Pam B who own a beautiful cabin near the Resort and allowed 5 of the guides to stay at their place during the event.They also took vacation time and came from their home in Arizona to help during the event.Cooking,serving,cleaning,whatever.They were there full time to help.Did they mind?Smiles don't lie.
I'll end but 'life' gets better when you help a Vet.God bless em all.
Good hunting!

opm447.jpg (68.45 KiB) Viewed 9259 times

PS I note when doing a 'preview' thatI got these out of order but you can figure it out.I don't want to redo them with my computer skills.

[bucksnbears]

Good post Dcoy. now go get that bird

[LeviM]

Good post, it really does put life into perspective, maybe we don't have it as bad as we think sometimes!!

[Tbush]

wow

[Tango]

Dcoy,
that is completely awesome. what you guys do for the Vets. commend you for that. i believe that is all that they would like to have once in awhile, not gifts galore but gratitude from the very people they are protecting. doing a very good job. Any & all Vets out there that can see this post. I appreciate what you & your fellow soldiers have done for this country. THANK YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY

[Dcoy]

More good news last night.The Vets this year are all meeting again in Warroad,Mn prior to entering Canada and then meeting up with us at the ramp.The Marvin family(Marvin Windows)is again going to host a breakfast for them there that morning plus there's another new feature that ought to kick their experience off right.Turns out there's a retired B52 pilot there who's putting together a local honor guard and ceremony that will honor them on their arrival-along with,I'm sure,quite a few of the town residents.Fabulous-almost enough to 'tear up' an old fart.

[cooper]

great job guys!i wish folks were like yall in the nam era my uncle was a green beret from 66 to 69 he said they spit at him when he came home . im glad times have changed.god bless our military.
eddie223

[Coyotehunter]

Great post