Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Ksail101 on June 09, 2008, 11:53:14 AM
Title: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ksail101 on June 09, 2008, 11:53:14 AM
Over the past year and half I have been coming on to this site and using the forums, watching the movies, and listening to the podcasts. I have learned alot. I just want to first off thank Marshall Halloway and Michael Bane for having this great resource and sharing their knowledge,
Now back in Sept I signed up and started to post on here alittle bit. Since I am new to shooting compared to others on here, I had more questions than comments and thought it best to sit back and read what most people were writing instead posting. I tried to only post when I had experience in that subject and knew for sure what to say. I have asked noobie questions and got great answers from people that I have never met. They could have just said that the questions were stupid to look in a book somewhere, but instead all put up great thoughts and shared their experiences.
Well the real reason I guess I wanted to say this thank you is a few guys on here not knowing me, or anything of my back gound, have treated me with a great kindness and have sent me words of encouragement now during a time of hardship. Things are not great rightnow, but I have been through worse. There is no reason that these people had to do that. And being one of not great emotion it has really made me happy. I hope my gratitude will show.
I really thank everyone that has taken the time to teach me on here alot of basics I missed out on growing up not around firearms and the community. No only I have I learned about guns and their operation, but I have learned that people in this lifestyle are all around good American people. Also I believe alot of people in other lifestyles could learn from you all and hope that someday the stigma of that gun toting crazy guy will be wiped away from our community. I hope people will see the real need for people like you all. I believe that you all are a foundation for America that alot of Americans higher up in the house forget about or plain and simply dont know about. As I had no clue growing up what this community was or what it really represents, and means to America as a country. For the first time in a while I have got positive feedback about some of the things I have done and felt bad about cause where I live it is looked down upon. And really means something to me that not everyone thinks this way. So thank you everyone. I will always be in debt to your kindness.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Hazcat on June 09, 2008, 01:10:46 PM
Ksail,
I think you run into more good people in the gun culture than you do in other groups/cultures because we understand and appreciate our freedoms more. Many have done some type of service to preserve those rights (thanks to all) and undertsand how all rights are under constant attack.
As to you personally, you have nothing to thank us for. You paid your dues to talk and we respect and honor you for that.
Like the old saying goes "Never let the bastards get ya down!" ;)
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on June 09, 2008, 01:22:21 PM
Let me just say this... It takes a kind and gentle energy to know a kind and gentle energy.. You are..without me ever having met you... a kind and good energy. We all are in situations in our lives where we have to do things to survive. You have had to deal with a lot of 'situations' that will stay with you forever. To live through these times, you have had to be strong and a man with good character. Don't you ever forget that! You have lots of "friends" here..and I know I can speak honestly and say that they'll be there if and when you need them.
You are welcome at my home and supper table any old time you are in Kansas. You can look at me as a 2nd mom if you want. :) ..call or write .. I'm here for you day or night. ( just ask Haz about the night stuff.. my god, the man calls me at 1:30 in the morning and wanted to ha-ha and talk! ::) ;D *and yeeesss I did..for 30 minutes we gabbed on the phone.. ) ;D ;D So calls in the night are welcome.. ;)
You just hang in there and continue to believe in yourself and know within your heart that The Higher Power ALWAYS has a plan. We are not down here on earth flying by the seat of our pants like a kite with no tail. No sireeeee. We all have our destination path and God was with us to help us map it out..so you are loved and watched over every second of your life on earth.
Thanks for making Down Range your home away from home. :-*
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: CurrieS103 on June 09, 2008, 04:52:22 PM
The gentle heart of a warrior is indeed a rare and special thing. These are special bunch here Ksail and always have open arms to bring another into the fold. Thank you for your words and service.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: 2HOW on June 09, 2008, 05:47:16 PM
That may be the most honest thing Ive read on a forum. Thanks for your service , you are with friends here,, TOUJOURS PRET
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Pathfinder on June 09, 2008, 07:05:48 PM
Ksail -
You are most welcome, but really, it is the nature of this site. It is amazing the things you hear about how people here are treated (badly) on other sites, but something here just clicks for us. We give each other a hard time, but it is always with respect.
It is each of us who owes you a huge thank you for your service. And I appreciate your service immensely. You see, I never served, high draft number during Nam. It is one of the great regrets I have - I have not been tested that way, and I do not know all that I can do. But, as M'ette said, God has a plan for all of us and my path was not to go. It's a hard truth, but there it is.
Your path is yours to discover. Just know that as you work that out, there are a lot of people out here who know what you did - not the details perhaps, but we know what your service was and we are eternally grateful to you and your "Band of Brothers" for your gift to us.
Be well, my friend, and hang in there.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Rastus on June 09, 2008, 07:15:59 PM
You are most welcome, but really, it is the nature of this site. It is amazing the things you hear about how people here are treated (badly) on other sites, but something here just clicks for us. We give each other a hard time, but it is always with respect.
It is each of us who owes you a huge thank you for your service. And I appreciate your service immensely. You see, I never served, high draft number during Nam. It is one of the great regrets I have - I have not been tested that way, and I do not know all that I can do. But, as M'ette said, God has a plan for all of us and my path was not to go. It's a hard truth, but there it is.
Your path is yours to discover. Just know that as you work that out, there are a lot of people out here who know what you did - not the details perhaps, but we know what your service was and we are eternally grateful to you and your "Band of Brothers" for your gift to us.
Be well, my friend, and hang in there.
I can't do any better than what Pathfinder has said. Be well.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: CurrieS103 on June 09, 2008, 07:30:44 PM
I can't do any better than what Pathfinder has said. Be well.
+1
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: twyacht on June 09, 2008, 08:48:58 PM
Thank YOU Ksail!
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 10, 2008, 02:49:42 AM
We in the shooting community know what it's like more than any other current group in America, to see our rights gradualy eroded. Because of that, the sacrafices made on our behalf by young men and women like you are more honored than they are among more sheltered groups.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on June 11, 2008, 01:08:49 AM
You thank us Ksail?
No.. ...We thank you! ........... and all who have fought for the United States of America
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: jaybet on June 11, 2008, 06:36:58 AM
Ksail, Thanks for your service and sacrifice.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: gunman1911 on June 13, 2008, 10:04:32 PM
After joining several other sites or forums as they are called, I decided that this is just the best for gaining knowledge from the generous others and quite a few laughs along the way. I have been involved in the GUN world since I was 6 years old and have met a lot of different people some have taken Me under their wing and taught me 1911's from their 50 years of experience and some who would cheat their mothers and go on to writ magazine articles and books telling you nothing of value!. I have shoot at IPSC orientated clubs and clubs that are more bingo orientated. By far this is the most friendliest forum there is or as far as I'm concerned will ever be( when you get people you never met tell you to call them out of the blue day or night and even invite you over to dinner your heart just has to swell up) So to the people who founded and run this site I believe we all owe them a debit of gratitude and yes they can call me anytime or stop by anytime they want along with any one else from this forum.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on June 29, 2008, 11:09:30 PM
Here is another Thank You...............
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: MikeBjerum on June 30, 2008, 04:31:33 AM
I can't do any better than what Pathfinder has said. Be well.
Except to say I'm sorry I missed this thread earlier. Know that no matter how bad it gets there is someone that cares, and I hope we have reinforced that you have a STRONG family here.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: CurrieS103 on June 30, 2008, 08:15:47 AM
The STRONGEST family!
Matthew 5:9
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on July 01, 2008, 12:07:48 AM
1,000 + on that one. :-*
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: shooter32 on July 01, 2008, 08:53:06 AM
Ksail ,we thank you and all vets past and presant!!! God Bless you!!!
shooter32
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ksail101 on July 01, 2008, 10:11:31 AM
Wow I posted this along time ago and just got a few more great posts, so thank you again. Once again this forum amazes me with its family and common ground feeling and thoughts within us all.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on July 11, 2008, 10:25:05 PM
A good story
'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store.
'You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line, 'said a woman. I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.
'It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man standing behind me. The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment. 'It was me,' he said, pointing to himself.
The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove away.
After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone, without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today.
Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.
'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,' said the man.
'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice.
'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied, shaking both his hands about.
The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries. 'It wouldn't take her card,' the clerk told him.
'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment.
'Yes, she goes to our church.'
'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.
Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line. Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts. 'Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man. 'NO,' yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.
When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man.
'She will need a freezer and a few other things as well,' he told the man.
The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is really very generous of you.'
'No,' said the man. 'Her brother was the generous one.'
Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American.
We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave!!! Remember to Thank our Troops of Yesterday and Today!!!
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: gunman1911 on July 11, 2008, 10:37:34 PM
We are proud of he service members here in this forum and those in the United States for what they give and gave for all of us. This one of the reasons that I am proud to be a American. But M'ette your post has warmed this old mans heart and I thank you.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: DaverZ on July 12, 2008, 04:00:34 AM
This is the way a good forum should be,not like some ive visited with keyboard commandos who talk crap feeling safe behind their keyboards from face to face confrontations.i've met a few in chat here,namely hazcat,marshalette,tomboggan to name a few and all seem like pretty darn nice people.others take a while to warm up to ya but i guess thats normal.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: ellis4538 on July 12, 2008, 06:05:10 PM
Wow, M'ette that might be you best yet!
Richard
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 12, 2008, 10:45:35 PM
WOW
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: CurrieS103 on July 14, 2008, 02:23:34 PM
A real big WOW!
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: DDMac on July 14, 2008, 05:16:24 PM
Let's all keep an eye out. Sadly, there are 9 more widows and kids to help today. Mac.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: twyacht on July 14, 2008, 07:25:13 PM
Maybe its me, IMHO, but resources should be shifted to Afghanistan FROM Iraq. News reports state Iraq is wanting a timetable for withdrawl, GREAT, get back to the crux of barbaric Islamic Taliban bastards in Afghanistan and go get em.
After the attack on an outpost by over a hundred Taliban bastards, they got nine of our brave soldiers. THANK GOD for the Apache Pilots who "mowed them down" and made them retreat into their holes again.
If my strategy is wrong, than I am willing to hear other sides. It seems as Iraq starts working, albeit slowly, the real "dirtbags" are playing games in Afghanistan.
Your right Mac,
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ksail101 on July 14, 2008, 07:30:06 PM
Tw- I agree that that Afghan. for some reason has been pushed under the rug. My belief is since we are kinda loosing one war rightnow and people are mad imagine if they kept reporting we were loosing two. So I think some hands are being greased and some one somewhere is making the decsion not to report fully on both wars.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ksail101 on July 14, 2008, 07:34:26 PM
And just one more thing M'ette's story is very touching, but I know a group of people that did something very above and beyond what anyone should ever considering to do for vet. And they are all right here on this forum. So there are great stories all around maybe focus could be put on those instead of talking about the number of murders in New York yesterday on the news.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 15, 2008, 02:18:07 AM
The reason that Afghanistan is not being reported on is that we turned it over to NATO and most of the NATO troops WON"T FIGHT. Their govt's will not let them engage in combat. Also most of the Taliban are jumping between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: DDMac on July 15, 2008, 06:41:48 AM
If my wife had been Commander in Chief on September 11th, 2001, todays newspaper would have a small block in the upper right corner where the daily reading of the ground temperature of the Middle East, expressed in thousands of degrees, would be reported. And we would be driving on Western Hemisphere gas, under our control. Mr. Chaves would play nice.
In the end, I think it will come down to this if we are to survive.
Mac.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: twyacht on July 15, 2008, 09:01:35 PM
And we would be driving on Western Hemisphere gas, under our control. Mr. Chaves would play nice.
I miss gas at $1.25 a gallon.
The NATO rules of engagement would be better served by a bunch of inmates from the US, they work out, their in great shape, give them guns and turn them loose.,.....Oh wait,.. we can't fight like that either,.. Damn,...
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ron J on July 15, 2008, 10:21:51 PM
If my wife had been Commander in Chief on September 11th, 2001, todays newspaper would have a small block in the upper right corner where the daily reading of the ground temperature of the Middle East, expressed in thousands of degrees, would be reported. And we would be driving on Western Hemisphere gas, under our control. Mr. Chaves would play nice.
In the end, I think it will come down to this if we are to survive.
Mac.
I agree with your spouse. And not because I am in a somber to melancholy mood tonight or that she married a good man. My thought on the world and how people continue to “not play well with others” is this … Drop the bomb. Kill them all.
Over the last hundred years or so, not much has changed with the radical elements of Islam and/or the Palestinians that sold their souls to the corrupt boy-loving antics of Yasser Arafat. Make a run south of the border and you have Chavez .. a complete tool from soup to nuts with dementia that can be confused with syphilis entering the third stage.
Stop the blood feud. There is no negotiating with evil that is feeding off of a religious menu of hate. There is no negotiating with egomaniacal pathos either. It’s just pure-d hate. You can’t negotiate with this because the other side does not have the capacity for rational thought and what it means to "play well with others" ... much less to love your neighbor. Our “leaders” can’t be vain enough to think that their wit and wisdom can change this evil. Sanctions and/or _______ing appeasement does not work because it simply does not translate in the language of hate.
Only option is that you have to kill them. You have to kill them all.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: tumblebug on July 16, 2008, 09:52:58 AM
O M G it's time.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Ron J on July 16, 2008, 06:09:03 PM
If my wife had been Commander in Chief on September 11th, 2001, todays newspaper would have a small block in the upper right corner where the daily reading of the ground temperature of the Middle East, expressed in thousands of degrees, would be reported. And we would be driving on Western Hemisphere gas, under our control. Mr. Chaves would play nice.
In the end, I think it will come down to this if we are to survive.
True how true. And then he turned sand into glass.
Mac.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on July 23, 2008, 11:34:05 PM
PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq , giving his life to save his fellow Seals.
During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to the top. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.
This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see everyday.
Since the media won't make this news, I choose to make it news by forwarding it onto you guys. I am damn proud of our military. If not, then rest assured that these fine men and women of our military will continue to serve and protect.
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: ellis4538 on July 24, 2008, 06:19:20 AM
Marshal'ette, I'm not sure where you find this information or how much time you take finding it but keep up the good work!!!
Many Thanks,
Richard
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Hazcat on July 24, 2008, 06:36:56 AM
DAMMIT M'ette! Starting the day with blurry eyes is not easy. :'(
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on October 17, 2008, 12:58:05 AM
This is true...it is factual....and for me anyway, well worth the read. See what you think. Thanks
This story was copied from a magazine called 'Renewed & Ready' and what a story it is. Written by Beverly Brass, as told to her by Denny Kukich of Wood Dale , Illinois.
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
I fly frequently, and I always look for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone. I wondered who it might be this time because there were empty seats all around me. Not much of a chance to talk to anyone.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. 'This is more like it! OK, Lord, which one will it be? Who needs to hear about you?'
I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Chicago--to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq.'
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.
'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago.' His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I was hungry, but could not bring myself to eat in front of them. I walked to the back of the plane and
handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'
She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq. It's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.
I forgot about me!
Overwhelmed by her emotional response, I returned to my seat. She asked, 'Which do you like best--beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.' Now I felt guilty--I had dinner and the soldiers had only a sack lunch.
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for
the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.....
Title: Re: Just a Thank you
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 17, 2008, 02:05:58 AM
She may have "only" given those Troops a couple of meals but I think others will agree that those "couple of meals" have meaning FAR beyond her understanding. To the Troops involved, and the ones who will hear about it from them it means people really DO care about them, perhaps they will remember when they are pinned down in an open sewer by a sniper, or when they begin to feel forgotten as they hold a Memorial service for a Buddy who died in some dusty 3rd world shithole. To older Vets it means that our sons and grandsons will not have to wait 20 years for the respect they EARNED. And to those with no direct connection to the Armed Forces it is a reminder that those Troops are ALL our Sons and Daughters.