WOUNDED WARRIOR UNDATE

[sixshot]

Haven't posted in a long time, I think some of you know my indoor pool needs renovating! Actually my basement has been totally flooded & I'm in rebuild mode. Its going slow, I shoot faster than I nail!!
Wanted to let everyone know that the Wounded Warrior hunt is going to go on as scheduled & Daniel Harrison & his wife Julia will be here sometime around Oct. 10th for his mule deer hunt.
Because of the generosity of many of you & many on some other forums its going to be quite an event for one of our nations heroes. Not sure if I've mentioned it before but Daniel was blown up twice in Afganastan, some of them survived, some didn't. Both his ear drums were blown out & he had several other body injuries, yet he's still training Marine snipers!
With a great deal of help from everyone we purchased his out of state deer tag, he also will be receiving a Ruger Flattop 44 special, along with a Belt Moutain base pin with his initials on it...pretty cool! Fermin Garza has been the driving force behind the 44 Flattop.
Rob Leahy, head honcho at Simply Rugged Leather deserves a medal for all his work. Rob has many contacts with those in the gun industry & through his efforts Colt has donated (free) a new Colt Commander 45, I hope everyone can let Colt Firearms know of our appreciation. Its been truly amazing how many have wanted to be part of this, some have even donated that were out of work!
Rob has also donated 2 of his custom built holsters, one for the Commander & another for the Ruger Flattop. He also purchased (with your donated money) a case of 45 ammo & all this was presented to Daniel last week when he traveled to Prescott, Arizona to hook up with some Marine buddies. He had no idea he was being presented with a new Colt Commander (same exact type of sidearm he was carrying when he was blown up) I understand it was quite a touching ceromony!
There are still other surprises in store but they will have to wait until another day, everyone will get a final undate in a few weeks.
Once again, thanks to each & everyone of you for the donations, the cards, the encouragement & the genuine interest in what has become quite an event. Pardon me if I've repeated myself a few times from prior posts.

Dick

 

[chefrob1]

great story!

 

[don44]

How very nice, good story.

 

[Sheriff]

Appreciate the update, Dick.

 

[TULLYMARS]

Thanks for keeping us informed. Dick, you deserve a big hand also for all that you are doing to make this a memorable trip for this young man.
Your basement rebuild might go faster if you let Callshot hold the nails while you swing the hammer. :wink: :wink:

 

[eric conrad]

:D :D :D 8) 8) 8)
Thanks Eric

 

[2 dogs]

Whoa Dick, pardon me, but it would be WRONG for me to take as much credit as you give me for the Flattop. I did start a drive to get funds together to get Dan a Callshot special and MANY good men contributed. But one, who stands alone, donated the sixgun itself. The rest of the funds went toward the hunt and its associated costs. Now, that one man has asked me not to use his name here. I can say he is a regular here on the sixgun sites and you all know him.

As to all those others who stood with me to assist in this project the real credit goes to you all who gave from your heart to a brave young man.

 

[sixshot]

Well said Fermin, there's a lot of great guys associated with the handgun community, most have stated that its not necessary to give them credit, just make sure the young soldier has a great time......he will!! Guaranteed! Thanks to all of you!

Dick

 

[callshot]

Wade, NO WAY I AM HOLDING THE NAILS FOR DICK TO SWING THE HAMMER AT! He has been using a right handed hammer in his left hand and it hasn't worked very well so far. :wink: Thanks for the update Dick.

 

[contender]

I knew it was getting close to a timeframe for an update. I've kept this warrior in mind, all the while KNOWING he was going to have a great time.
Dick & Fermin are just two fine examples of the great folks who enjoy sixshooters. But,, they don't do it for recognition, they do it out of love & respect for our soldiers. (Not just Dick & Fermin & all of those who contributed to this project for this Marine,) but to the MANY folks who work with the Wounded Warrior project all over the country.
All of this is definately a great thing being done by many good folks.
We do expect pics eventually.

PS; Repairing & rebuilding that basement is definately gonna be tough. I wish a bunch of us could get together & give Dick a "basement makeover" so he could focus on more important things. Such as convincing callshot to quit spitting seeds on the floorboard or such stuff.

 

[Rumrunner]

What a great and touching update. Cant wait to see pics and hear the rest of the details of the hunt.

 

[Jeff Hoover]

I'm more excited about Dan's upcoming hunt, than my own ! Great idea Dick ! You planted the seed that made this all possible ! Great job all around by alot of great people ! :lol:

 

[dougader]

Cheers to all who have made this happen. I'm proud to be associated with guys like y'all.

 

[Arnold Stuart]

Dick, what a wonderful job you and other forum members are during for this young man. Thank him for me when you see him for his service to his Country and I wish him well.

Arnold

 

[M'BOGO]

Not trying to be cross, but NEVER call a Marine a Soldier! Unless you want to start something. :D

 

[contender]

I know that calling a Marine a soldier is wrong, but I was referring to ALL servicemen as our soldiers. NO disrespect to any Marines intended.

 

[Sheriff]

Contender, as a former Marine (1967-1970 including a tour in Vietnam, 68-69) it's never bothered me to be called a soldier. Was called a lot worse at times. :wink:

 

[COR]

Deleted by me...wasn't needed...got caught up in the moment

Curt

 

[2 dogs]

TYRONE! Are you in trouble AGAIN!!!!!

I swear, you could screw up an ANVIL wearing oven mittens!!

50 lashes with a long pine needle!

 

[contender]

Sheesh 2 dogs,, you'd think I cussed out the virgin Mary.
As a former SOLDIER,,, I look at ALL branches of military service as my brothers in arms. YES,, as noted,, I do know that SOME marines get upset if someone calls them a soldier,, all while many of them understand the brotherhood & do not care. I think my record of support for all branches and especially the Marines is known to most of the folks who have been around here a while. But,,, just to recap it a little for those Marines who might be offended by the FACT my other post was about the Wounded Warrior project, that helps ALL servicemen. My former BIL was the finest Marine I've ever met, and I still prefer his company over my sisters. Four of my BSA scouts are in the military, and three of those guys are Marines. I have driven to Parris Island on MANY occasions just to see one of "my boys" graduate from boot, only to turn around & drive right back home. (A 5 hr trip one way.)
Do I respect the Marines,,, YES,,, 100%!!!!!!!!!

Now,, before this posting goes any further,, lets DROP the BS about calling a Marine a soldier as the OP was NOT about this. If you have a gripe about it,,, then open another post. I just happen to be highly aware of the Wounded Warrior Project,, and the fact that Dick, Fermin & several others have chosen to help one of them in our own Ruger Forum way,, is a HUGE thing.
I'd bet my combat boots that this Marine would GLADLY stand beside any soldier, no matter the branch & call him brother. How do I know this when I've never met him? Because Dick chose him out of several others he could have chosen. It's obvious to me that this Marine is a fine excample of an American.
So, to ANYBODY who thinks in any way I was trying to disrespect any Marine OBVIOUSLY does NOT know me!!!!!!!!

Ok 2 dogs,,, I'll take the 50 lashes with the pine needles. Ah heck, make it one hundred as it might help settle a few ruffled feathers. (Oh btw: who told ya about my anvil?)

Now, BACK ON TOPIC ABOUT THE FINE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT.

 

[M'BOGO]

That wasn't intended, but my Father always told me I could screw up an iron ball with my bare hands.

Bottome line, this is an outstanding jesture, for a great cause. HUZZAH

 

[COR]

Not needed ... off topic.

Semper Fi

 

[dougader]

My best buddy from college was a Marine. He served over there in and around Kuwait with the first go-around.

In class, the "soldiers" used to give him grief all the time and called him "Navy Boy."

... running away..........