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Gents,
I have thought about this a long time and have put off this decision long enough hoping things would improve but alas, they are not...actually getting worse. As a result, I regret that I must resign from this forum and reenacting in general. Though I will continue my sponsorship of this forum, my web site and will still occasionally post some of my research material here, I am compelled to make some changes and move on.
Several layers of life's realities have recently impacted me to the extent I cannot continue with my current load of obligations. Of most impact is my health situation. Age and injuries from my youth (when I was bullet proof) make back and neck pain my constant companion. Several back, neck and knee surgeries over the years have provided some relief but arthritis and other issues setting in over the last few months have had me down to the extent I have decided to discontinue active involvement in the reenactment hobby. Going forward, I have to make my functionality for the future of my family and clients my number one priority.
In addition, other events are impacting me. In no particular order of difficulty.... my in laws are elderly and live right next to us so we are the primary care givers. Last week my father in law was diagnosed with cancer which makes the situation all the more difficult. Their care has now reached a turning point. My office manager (my right hand) must have a kidney removed next week and will thus be out of the office for two or more months, I have recently lost my other secretary and thus my business is severely crippled right now as I struggle to manage almost by myself while I train new people. I am in the investment business with nearly 600 clients and manage quite a large sum of money so this is a critical situation for my livelihood. I also do a lot of new Financial Advisor training for my employer, duties which has recently been greatly increased. Further, I sit on several local boards and have obligations in other community organizations. On top of all of that, I am trying to finish another book (which sadly, its progress has also slowed). In short, I am overwhelmed. Something has to give so before my family and health is impacted more than it already is.
The cavalry arm and the AC has meant so much to me over the years. I have been in this hobby for nearly 30 years. In that time I have tried to elevate the levels of authenticity through my research, books, articles, through encouragement and by example. But for myself, I know that I have always received much more than I have ever given. The cavalrymen and the experiences have provided me so much in the way of knowledge, understanding, enjoyment, comraderie, maturity and refuge that words cannot properly express. This forum in particular has been a wonderful place to learn, share information and build relationships with like-minded fellows. I am sorry it has been under-utilized as of late and, I fear watching the cavalry community shrink and draw inward into factions. This saddens me. But, polarization seems to be the trend across America right now so I can only pray that someday the nation can pull together as in earlier times.
On a very personal note, I would like to thank everyone for their kindnesses and support shown me over the years. Including many horsemen and mods of this forum and particularly Mark Choate and members of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry. I cannot part without mentioning that my heart, my passions and my interests remain with the cavalry and horsemen of the CW both then and now. God Bless everyone! Adios!
Ken R Knopp
I have thought about this a long time and have put off this decision long enough hoping things would improve but alas, they are not...actually getting worse. As a result, I regret that I must resign from this forum and reenacting in general. Though I will continue my sponsorship of this forum, my web site and will still occasionally post some of my research material here, I am compelled to make some changes and move on.
Several layers of life's realities have recently impacted me to the extent I cannot continue with my current load of obligations. Of most impact is my health situation. Age and injuries from my youth (when I was bullet proof) make back and neck pain my constant companion. Several back, neck and knee surgeries over the years have provided some relief but arthritis and other issues setting in over the last few months have had me down to the extent I have decided to discontinue active involvement in the reenactment hobby. Going forward, I have to make my functionality for the future of my family and clients my number one priority.
In addition, other events are impacting me. In no particular order of difficulty.... my in laws are elderly and live right next to us so we are the primary care givers. Last week my father in law was diagnosed with cancer which makes the situation all the more difficult. Their care has now reached a turning point. My office manager (my right hand) must have a kidney removed next week and will thus be out of the office for two or more months, I have recently lost my other secretary and thus my business is severely crippled right now as I struggle to manage almost by myself while I train new people. I am in the investment business with nearly 600 clients and manage quite a large sum of money so this is a critical situation for my livelihood. I also do a lot of new Financial Advisor training for my employer, duties which has recently been greatly increased. Further, I sit on several local boards and have obligations in other community organizations. On top of all of that, I am trying to finish another book (which sadly, its progress has also slowed). In short, I am overwhelmed. Something has to give so before my family and health is impacted more than it already is.
The cavalry arm and the AC has meant so much to me over the years. I have been in this hobby for nearly 30 years. In that time I have tried to elevate the levels of authenticity through my research, books, articles, through encouragement and by example. But for myself, I know that I have always received much more than I have ever given. The cavalrymen and the experiences have provided me so much in the way of knowledge, understanding, enjoyment, comraderie, maturity and refuge that words cannot properly express. This forum in particular has been a wonderful place to learn, share information and build relationships with like-minded fellows. I am sorry it has been under-utilized as of late and, I fear watching the cavalry community shrink and draw inward into factions. This saddens me. But, polarization seems to be the trend across America right now so I can only pray that someday the nation can pull together as in earlier times.
On a very personal note, I would like to thank everyone for their kindnesses and support shown me over the years. Including many horsemen and mods of this forum and particularly Mark Choate and members of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry. I cannot part without mentioning that my heart, my passions and my interests remain with the cavalry and horsemen of the CW both then and now. God Bless everyone! Adios!
Ken R Knopp
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