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I typically take a few days after events to let everything soak in before making a post, but wanted to do so while everything was still fresh.
First, I want to thank the staff at Vicksburg for allowing the Independent Rifles to continue to host events there for so many years. One thing we have continued to do through this time is always present a new program, and I hope that continues ( like our event in February 2014!)
This Idea is something I've wanted to do for YEARS. a multi stop program on an NPS site has a large amount of hurdles to overcome. First the park has to be on board with enough resources to split in all directions. Second and most importantly I need capable group leaders that had education, management and event hosting experience to virtually take control of their area so I didn't have to be in all places at once. Eric Fair, Holler, Rod Miller, Michael Comer, Silas Tackitt, Herb Coats and lastly, Elizabeth Landrum provided that experienced backbone I needed to pull this off. To that group I am entirely and eternally grateful. Without you all this would not have happened.
As I remind the membership of the IR, our name goes well beyond my own name. To Jeff Thompson, Jason Thibadeaux, Jason Broussard, Brian DesRochers, Joe Smotherman, Chris Stacey, Chuck Lehman, Alan Prather and the rest of the membership in attendance THANK YOU for helping with registration, research rations and all the leg work on site. It is truly an honor to be friends with all of you and push our group forward.
To everyone that registered and attended, thank you all for helping me check one big accomplishment off of my bucket list. Without all of you showing up and taking the time away from family and obligations, this would have been me sitting in a park by myself. For me, giving each company the raw materials for rations and hearing all the stories about how each group did different thing showed the limitless amount of field craft and skill that attended this event. I am truly lucky beyond words.
Nathan "Holler" Hellwig. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have taken this idea from a thought to an actual event. Thank YOU.
Lastly, I want to thank my wife Elizabeth. She, Cathy And Caroline Smith provided a side of the story rarely told at programs and hopefully added to the experience for the 45th Illinois group. beyond that I want to continue to thank her for allowing me to take a lot of time away from her so I can make calls, emails, posts on the Internet and hours of pre event prep to pull all of this off, and never complaining about it in the process.
I hope to see all of you in the field soon and would love to hear everyone's opinion, both positive and negative.
First, I want to thank the staff at Vicksburg for allowing the Independent Rifles to continue to host events there for so many years. One thing we have continued to do through this time is always present a new program, and I hope that continues ( like our event in February 2014!)
This Idea is something I've wanted to do for YEARS. a multi stop program on an NPS site has a large amount of hurdles to overcome. First the park has to be on board with enough resources to split in all directions. Second and most importantly I need capable group leaders that had education, management and event hosting experience to virtually take control of their area so I didn't have to be in all places at once. Eric Fair, Holler, Rod Miller, Michael Comer, Silas Tackitt, Herb Coats and lastly, Elizabeth Landrum provided that experienced backbone I needed to pull this off. To that group I am entirely and eternally grateful. Without you all this would not have happened.
As I remind the membership of the IR, our name goes well beyond my own name. To Jeff Thompson, Jason Thibadeaux, Jason Broussard, Brian DesRochers, Joe Smotherman, Chris Stacey, Chuck Lehman, Alan Prather and the rest of the membership in attendance THANK YOU for helping with registration, research rations and all the leg work on site. It is truly an honor to be friends with all of you and push our group forward.
To everyone that registered and attended, thank you all for helping me check one big accomplishment off of my bucket list. Without all of you showing up and taking the time away from family and obligations, this would have been me sitting in a park by myself. For me, giving each company the raw materials for rations and hearing all the stories about how each group did different thing showed the limitless amount of field craft and skill that attended this event. I am truly lucky beyond words.
Nathan "Holler" Hellwig. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have taken this idea from a thought to an actual event. Thank YOU.
Lastly, I want to thank my wife Elizabeth. She, Cathy And Caroline Smith provided a side of the story rarely told at programs and hopefully added to the experience for the 45th Illinois group. beyond that I want to continue to thank her for allowing me to take a lot of time away from her so I can make calls, emails, posts on the Internet and hours of pre event prep to pull all of this off, and never complaining about it in the process.
I hope to see all of you in the field soon and would love to hear everyone's opinion, both positive and negative.
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