A dose of reality (long)

[brentdeaner]

Last sunday I was at Lake Oroville for my first tournament as a director for ABA. Something happened that morning that reminded me of how blessed we really are.

I was coming up the ramp and I noticed a young man and his father waiting for another bass boat to get in the water. I walked up to them to apologize for the delay caused by all the tournament guys. The father just smiled and said they had all the time in the world and it was no problem.

I then asked if he needed any help launching the boat, because of the conditions. He looked at his son, and smiled. He said "if he can drive a tank, I imagine he can back this truck in okay." I started laughing as the young man came walking up to us.

It turned out that the boy was home on leave from Iraq. He had been home for 12 days, and he and his dad had been fishing 8 of those days. He was to return to action the next week, and they had two more fishing trips planned before he left.

I thanked them again, and shook that young man's hand. I thanked him for everything he has done, and will do for this country.

I also gave him my address and phone # so I could keep in touch with him. I gave him this website address so he could check in when he had a chance. He sent me an e-mail yesterday saying he had arrived back in country and was missing the lakes already.

So, for all of us who have been complaining about the low water levels, the economy, FLW, and all the rest of our "troubles"......take a second and think about this kid, and the thousands like him who would give almost anything to be in our shoes right now.

Thanks PFC Shawn Michaels for helping this guy keep it all in perspective.

Brent Deaner

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Yeo, I would wager the young man wouldn't have much trouble backing a boat in, even at Oroville..I would also like to thank this young man for his service..No doubt, he would much rather be here than there..I wish hin and all of our other boys and girls serving overseas and here the best..

mac

[Skeeterman]

To my stepson and all the best troops in this world GOD BLESS every single one of you.

[Bill K]

We all, sometimes, feel put out and sorry for ourselves. We need to stop once in awhile and just think how many would love to be in the position we have or are in. The old saying of Stop and smell the Rose's, has a meaning that we would do well to think about every now and then. Bill K

[XMAN]

THX SHAWN!!!!!--XMAN

[lowerider]

Thanks 4 sharing Brent. Much love and respect to our troops! THANK YOU!!!

[DAN]

Thanks Brent! And Thanks to those young men and women serving OUR Country...
While many whine about this forum and that forum crap others are out there protecting our freedom.
We just got the call the other Day that my step son will be headed to Iraq at anytime and he didn't know when he would be able to call mom and I for a while.. While we are feeling the anxeity of wondering how our boy is already, it is with pride we pray for all those serving....

[Caudawg]

Brent: that was an awesome post! Thank you!

Posts like these are great reminders of how good we have it thanks to our troops.

[Mr Gambler]

Thank you Shawn for your commitment to this country, the men & women in the service of this country are a God send You can share a back seat in My boat anytime

[Steve Eheler]

I want to thank each and every Soldier for there time spent in harms way, Thank you for giving us our freedom. God Bless you all, from the Eheler Famly

[Guy Williams]

If you go to (sorry Tony) utube you can see some footage from the war in Iraq, all I can say is WOW!! Thanks for your service, god bless and stay low.
Guy Williams

[sTony]

It's a okay to post youtube links here if you like.

sTony

[some guy]

God bless all the troops serving everywhere. Without these men and women doing what they do we would'nt even have the opportunity to cry about a 25 yard rule during a derby. Keep your head low and shoot often. Our prayers are with you.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

For a long time I thought that my war (the Korean war) was going to be the last U.S. war where patriotism was prevelent among the citizens of this country.

We,the Korean Vets were treated with great respect and adoration when we returned from Korea.

The Vietnam veterans were treated like garbage and I was terribly ashamed of the American people at that time.

You guys and the majority of the American people again make me as proud of you as I am for the guys and gals who are over there risking life and limb for the freedom of ALL people and nationalities on Earth

[Fast 492]

Shawn, you and your Dad are welcome in my boat any time. Look me up when you return, until then stay alert/stay alive and keep your feet on the ground...Thank you for what you are doing, so that I can spend time with mine...
Airborne/Sniper
U.S. Army Rangers 89-93.

[tunaman]

In case some of you haven't seen it, here's a link to "The Rock":

http://www.tunaman.org/web/TheRock.htm

It was a very fitting tribute to our hero's that I had to add it to my website...

God bless our troups - THANK YOU for your service!!!

Roger