LAST EDITED ON Jun-26-11 AT 08:32AM (MST)[p]With all the bickering in life, including this forum, it is great to be reminded how sacret life is and what is important, and how guys who might fight over lesser things, can come together so quickly in these situations.
I was scouting with a friend this weekend in a LE Unit here in Idaho he grew up scouting/hunting with his dad every year. They were very close. The unit turned to a draw when he was very young and he and his dad only drew it twice each after that. The last time was in 90' when my friend drew the tag, and they managed to get a distant family member who has land in the unit to give his dad a landowner tag so they could hunt it together. They had a tremendous experience hunting together and even killed some nice deer. The next year his dad came down with cancer, at 56 years of age. He passed away in two years. While scouting this weekend we went up near the top of the highest mountain in the unit and there was a headstone that had been cemented into a natural pile of rock overlooking an amazing 360 degree view, with empty cases from his dad's 7mm, sturgeon hooks, spinners, turkey feathers, and a goose call all encased in the cement. It is amazing how this sport becomes part of ones soul and brings people and family together. One of the reasons I have nurtured hunting in my boys is not only to spend time with them as a family now, but for generations. Watching my 43 year old friend at that grave marker talk about his dad was unbelievably representative about what is right and what is important in life. So, while I apologize for the long post, I would absolutely donate for resources to help make this happen, including the inclusion of his family in the experience, especially the son. Please keep us in the loop on how the process goes and count me in for $100 for costs, pm me for details on where to deliver.
Are there organizations, that in particular seek to provide mentors for the children of deceased sportsmen for outdoor activities? If so as MM members I feel this would be an area to focus support. Thank you BigMuleyBoy for being a good friend.
Brian