Many of you know that I am stationed in Afghanistan and since being here I with the help of John Vasos and Camp Cuervo Archery have established an archery range for Service Members here on Camp Sabalu-Harrison. Now there were many more people involved that have greatly contributed to our range's success; these people are giants in my opinion and I would like to thank each of them again. If you know these people please shake their hand for me in thanks:
John Vasos
Jon Stewart
Steve Reed
Leon Reed
John Riddle
Barry Rohm
Daniel Albright
Daniel Sweeney
George Catlin
Mike Lifford
Pat Estes
Paul Kimbol
Scott Hagler
Ming-I Sun
Todd Radek
Chad Weaver
Michigan Longbow Association
If I have missed anyone please forgive me. To all of you may God bless you and keep your arrows straight.
Vern Pratt
P.S.
As I will soon be leaving Afghanistan I would encourage our community to keep supporting the Camp Cuervo Archery Club's as they expand to new bases throughout our deployment areas. I will post names and addresses of the new ranges as I receive them.
Again thank you.
Yea Vern!
I appreciate your service more than you can imagine! :thumbsup:
I also appreciate the "gang" here immensely. If I am ever in a position to help in any way, I can get ahold of you here.
Where in MI do you call home?
Best wishes....stay safe!!
Thanks, I call Midland home but I grew up in Laingsburg (near Lansing). I promised I would post the contacts for other ranges being built by other Combat Archers so I will introduce Sergeant Aaron Kirkendall. SGT Kirkendall has put together a small range on his base and has been in contact with me for advice from time to time. If any in our community would still like to donate any good used arrows or equipment to SGT Kirkendall it would be greatly appreciated. Currently the FOB Connolly range has 1 compound, 2 recurves, and a couple dozen arrows. I will be sending him a bow and a couple dozen arrows as soon as I can get them boxed and labled.
SGT Kirkendall, Aaron
TF Panther
HHT 1-61 CAV
FOB Connolly
Thanks for posting the other camp's address Vern. I have six bare shafts that would be perfect to send over there. I'll get'em feathered up and pointed and send them his way.
If you still have contact with him please let him know about this site and this thread.
Bud
Will do, I am proud to announce to all who ask (and some who don't ask) that it is the Trad community who is our biggest suppporters.
HOOAH!
It us that need to thank you Vern! You and the rest of your brothers and sisters in arms.
THANK YOU!!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Matt
I second that emotion!!!!! And may God bless you all! :thumbsup:
Yep...I have a half dozen arrows sitting here waiting to go.....they were waiting here then Chris Surtees died...then we had Christmal...then I went to TX with some TGers....then I went to MD with Larry Surtees.
Jack Guard was going to contact me to get them shipped over...and I am still waiting to hear from him.
I'll get them over there one way or another...
Thank you for the referal Mr. Pratt,
As Vern mentioned, I am in the process of establishing a range here on Fob Connolly. We currently have 1 coupound and several doz arrows. Two of my own recurves on en route as well as some arrows as well. We have a good supply of cardboard here that we have used to make home brewed "block" type layer targets. So I guess that anything that could be parted with to help expand our sport and passion to new people and my fellow brother/sisters in arms would put us forever in everyone's dept.
Vern, almost got my address perfect, but he left out the apo line. the correct address is
SGT Kirkendall, Aaron
TF Panther
HHT 1-61 CAV
FOB Connolly
APO AE 09310
Just a lil back ground about my self. I am currently in my 4th year in the Army as a Cavalry Scout. this is my second deployment to Afghanistan. I am in 1-61 Cav, 4th BCT, 101 ABN DIV. My home station is Ft. Campbell, KY. I am originally from Northern Michigan,Gaylord, before moving downstate to the Kalamazoo Area. I am an avid hunter, fisherman, and trapper. When I'm not playing army ofcourse.
I have been a member of the site for a lil while, but I would definitly like to be more active in this community once I return to the states.
Any other questions anyone might have I would be more than willing to answer them.
Thank you everyone and God Bless
Scouts out, Brother.
Thanks for the updated addy. I'll have some goodies in route soon.
Thanks Casey
CavScout,
From one old Cav trooper to another, thanks for serving and stay safe.
D trp., 3/4 Cav, 25th ID, 67-68
God Bless and Thank you for Keeping our Country Free! Stay Safe my friend!
HOOOOAH!
Peter Iacvazzi
www.kuiu.com (http://www.kuiu.com)
peteri@kuiu.com
Aaron, be safe and Semper Fi from Muskegon, Michigan. My wife is from Elmira, Michigan. small world isn't it.
My family wants to thank you for keeping us free and safe and for what you do for archery..thanks Semper Fi
Always glad to help out. Get home safe and with any luck get in a late season/early spring hunt.
Do you have a contact for the range at your camp when you leave?
Aaron, I'll see what I can do as far as archery stuff...little thin on stuff right now.
But I will send a package of pogie bait, magazines and other stuff for everyone in the future.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Scouts out indeed!
125 INF BN SCOUT 1995-1998
Good luck with the range, your in good hands now.
Jon, small world indeed. Seems there are alot of good old Michigan boys on here. Also I just realized that I just shot you an email, so be looking for it.
Also, when were you a Marine? I have an uncle who did two tours in Vietnam in the marines. Just curious.
Thanks for all you guy's do over there
NO, Thank You! And Thank all who serve here and abroad!
USMC 67-69 I answered your e-mail this am.
Jon
Sgt. Kirkendall,
As soon as these dry and I get some tips on them and get to the PO they'll be headin your way. You can see the undried glue on the feather tips.
What's the AMO and the # of your recurves?
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/budsstuff062.jpg)
Thanks to SuperK for selling the shafts already wrapped in patriot colors!!!!.
CavScout-thanks for all you and your men do for US. We really appreciate your sacrifice for our freedom! Good wishes from the Whitmore Lake area! Military Police K-9 Corps--ooh rah!
Kennyb :pray:
Bud those look awesome. Way to fly the colors!
Bud, those arrows are almost to pretty to shoot!
The bows that I will have here are 52" and 58" amo, both being 50lbs on the draw.
I want to thank everyone again for all the positive comments and generous contributions. It means alot to us over here.
I'll start looking around to see what I have for the new range.
Awesome arrows Bud!
QuoteOriginally posted by CavScoutArcher:
Bud, those arrows are almost to pretty to shoot!
The bows that I will have here are 52" and 58" amo, both being 50lbs on the draw.
I want to thank everyone again for all the positive comments and generous contributions. It means alot to us over here.
These arrows are spined 50-55 so that'll be perfect. They are a bit short at 27.5 BOP, but the point is well over and inch long. I shoot these shafts out of my 50# @ 28 Super Grizzly. At my full draw the points are on the shelf. I just shorten my draw a bit for these.
I went stumping with some other Ramin shafted arrows this weekend. The abuse I put them through (poor shot. hitting all kinds of stuff) these should last you a while. I'll sent a stick of hot melt glue also along with a few extra points. They hold straightness pretty good also.
These have now dried up so I might be able to get them out this morning.
Stay safe Aaron and pass along our support and prayer for a safe return for all.
My brother in law is on his way back now from Afgh. He is supposed to arrive back at Bragg Friday.
Here's to America's newest Greatest Generation :thumbsup: :archer:
I had a tube just suited for shipping but it would only hold six. And in the rush to pack and get to the PO before I have to be at work I left out the extra points. Sorry.
Here's the maiden shot of the seventh. I'll keep it treasured knowing the six other companions will be safe with you all.
Again, stay safe over there. Come home soon.
Bud
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/budsstuff064.jpg)
Very Nice. Also thats s nice super grizz that you have there as well. I can't wait to see and shoot these arrrows. I'm sure their true life beauty is easily surpassed by there pics.....and the pics look damn good!
Hey Sarge,
How's the range coming along?????
Godspeed back to stateside...........
Thank you Vern!!
Thank You All for what your doing for us here at home. If not for you Brave folks we here at home couldn't enjoy the freedom we have, Stay Safe and God Bless You ALL. :campfire:
Anyone with info on the progress of the second range that was initiated? I have a local bow club that might be interested in sending some supplies.
CavScoutArcher,
You out there? I pray you are safe!! Let us know what you need in equipment.
Hey Bud,
Sorry bout the delay. Missed this older post!
Plus it has been starting to pick up quite a bit now over here now that the weather is breaking and that summer is upon us.
The range is doing good. I have a constant growing number of soldiers who want to shoot and are interested in our sport. I have already realized that our starter range that we built is too small. (I wasn't expecting such a good reception/turnout) So we have bigger and better plans in the work.
I have some pics of us in action and some of your arrows. they fly as good as they look. I will try to post up some pics here today!
Thank you again to everyone who is and has contributed to our range.
Aaron
GREAT!!
I have a bow to send. Just trying to find the packing material. It's a lefty no doubt!
Will PM you when shipped. Trying to beat the heat of summer.
And as always, please stay safe!!
Here are a couple of pics! We started with only a single 20yd lane, but already its time to upgrade! Haveing a much better turnout than expected.
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1004.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1003.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1005.jpg)
some more
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1002.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1008.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1015.jpg)
Last ones with more coming!
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1014.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x352/steelruger22/bowrangepics1016.jpg)
Keep your head down, your powder dry, and stay off the ridges.....♠ SALUTE. Thank you for your service. :archer2:
Great pics! That looks like a Red Stag 3pc. I sent one of those to Vern. Good shooting bows.
Keep your heads down and come back to the good life which you are providing to us through your service
Dan,
It could very well be the same exact bow. That one Vern sent me over here from his range. It is a good shooter and has left a good impression of Samick bows on me and the guys.
That would have been mine then. I can't tell you how it warms my heart to see you fellas having fun over there with gear I sent. Thanks for the pics Aaron.
Those arrows Bud made and sent over sure are pretty. I'll have mine out in a couple days.
God Bless and Be Safe!
I was just looking at the pics again and it looks like you guys need Gloves/Tabs and Armguards. I sent some to Vern, but I'll see if I can rustle something up to put in with the arrows.
QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:
I was just looking at the pics again and it looks like you guys need Gloves/Tabs and Armguards. I sent some to Vern, but I'll see if I can rustle something up to put in with the arrows.
Yeah, I saw that too.
Copying the addy from page one to here:
SGT Kirkendall, Aaron
TF Panther
HHT 1-61 CAV
FOB Connolly
APO AE 09310
We do have a tab and a glove on hand. Plus two arm guards. Everyone pretty much tried everything out and then they use what felt best for them. Most of us shoot best with just fingers. Lately I have been using a tab just because of the number of arrows being shot. Still not shooting as well with it as I do with bare fingers, but I think that will come with time and practice.
Thank you again for everything you fine gentlemen are doing for us over here.
Aaron