I'd like to thank everyone for there efforts, donations, bids, and posts of concern for the family of Chris Surtees.
At Solana, during Chris' Memorial Service, Larry was presented with an envelope containing all the money I had received at that time. This amount was over $16,000. When I returned, there was another amount in the Trad Gang PO Box, and the total donation to the family was over $18,000.
The members of this site are a true blessing in more ways than one. I said it before, and I'll say it again. You all are a feather in the cap of humanity.
Two things.....I kept thinking something was missing from the ceremony, something was unfinished.
I also had received one of Chris' broadheads mounted on a dowel. I had pondered what to do with it. I had already been given a few items of Chris' by Larry, and I just didn't know what to do with this particular item.
Then it dawned on me......the Bhead was in my cooler full of gear that got delayed for days due to the snow storm. And I couldn't do what I wanted to do with that Bhead till I got it back, but I made arrangements for its purpose while I waited for its return.
Well, maybe there was a divine reason for the delay. There was still unfinished business at the Ranch and another story to be told. The finding of Larry's Buck soon after we left. Now I could make the ceremony complete.
I had called Brian 'Peanut' Campbell earlier when I returned from the ranch like I said for arrangements. I asked him to go to the exact spot of Chris' ashes before it rained and to mark it with a sizable stone.
The head is now in route to Solana Ranch, and Peanut is going to drive the head through the ashes into the ground with that stone.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/solana2011chrisbheadstone.jpg)
No doubt this is not the end of the Story....Just the end of this Hunt....This hunt will now be 'complete'. But there will be many chapters to follow as Chris and his gear, that many are now possessing, will still continue with us through the years.
:campfire:
A very fitting tribute.
Thank you Terry for being the axle of support that kept the ride of help a rolling.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Would have also been pretty cool if we could have passed it around and seen how many critters in different states we could have taken with it before it was lost to the woods. Although it would suck to be the one to lose it. Scratch that.
Good work Terry.
Thank you for sharing, Terry.
:notworthy:
Kentucky....that's an idea....there are plenty of heads that Chris owns...I'm sure there are going to be some things like that in the works.
I can't think of a better place for one of Chris' heads that's killed a few critters to get lost than in the woods.
Feel free to head that up if you want....I bet we can get you one of his heads.
I have a Ribtek of Chris's we can use as a pass around. Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks for posting Terry.
Terry that is a very fitting way to end the hunt!
You are the leader of the pack and we tend to follow suit. You gave us the opportunity to help out the family and for that many thanks to you! A great leader leads by example and you sir are a GREAT leader!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
God Bless you sir!
Matt
Sounds great Terry, I'd love to. I think it would be very cool to send one through a critter. Send me as many as you would like to distribute and I'll get the ball rolling. Do you want me to pm you my address?
Jack...Is that head on an adapter?....I never could get ribbies to center well on adapters like they do on wood.
I think a head on an adapter would would be great so folks could screw it on their own arrows.
Its a glue on, and is mounted on a small piece of arrow like the one pictured. I think i can get it fitted to an adapter thought. I will let you all know.
Hold On Jack...let me see what else I can come up with....might want to leave that one on the dowel for now....and you hold onto it.
Good on you Terry! Thanks for bringing us all together, makes a guy proud. I'd love to carry a broadhead of Chris with me out west this year. Let me know if I can help TJ.
:thumbsup:
As always Terry a group and what it does is a reflection of its leader. Thanks for keeping this site active and vibrant.
I traded Chris for three 1 1/4" VPA broadheads about a week before the accident. I plan to kill some critters with them in his honor. We have many mutual friends, but I had never met my fellow brother from Georgia. I'll let you folks know when I get a first kill with them.
The people on this site never cease to amaze me. Thanks for heading this up Terry...I know it was not easy and you probably didn't need the added stress....But as always you step to the forefront!
I don't have the words to express the feelings that are running through me at the moment.
Once again I can say I am so very proud to be a part of this Traditional family.
Thank you to all!
God bless,Mudd
Would have to echo Mudd's post, can't say it any better than that.
Craig
Thanks for the update Terry.
Hats off to those involved and all of TG for jumpin in to help.
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Terry that is awsome a truely fitting gesture.I am planning a hunt in Africa I would be honored to try and harvest an animal in Chris's name.I've never met him until Solona. I KNOW he was amungst us.If I can help in any way do not hesitate to ask.
Hey Jack if we can work an elk hunt out that might be a good place to use that ribbie.What the heck your on a role brother. :readit:
It's an honor to be a part of a group such as Trad Gang. :notworthy:
I'd like to have a crack at one of his heads. Maybe Chris could give me a little luck at Sunnys place on them hogs. Lord knows I need it!
:thumbsup:
Great idea Terry. The spot we had the memorial was beautiful and we will all remember it as we pass by on future hunts. For a traditional hunter that is a fine resting place.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
That's awesome buddy...
I also have some of Chris' bh's that I'll put to good use...
There will be new growth at that spot next time your there. Did you guys make a plaque for that rock ? So all who visit will know what great company will be watching over their hunt.
Congrats to all that stepped up to the cause. You admirable people who the rest of the world could learn from. Im proud to be apart of a group like you guys and gals. :notworthy:
Super post Terry! I'm very proud to be a member of Tradgang with the quality of people I've met and been asscoiated with thru it.I would be proud to use one of those heads given the opportunity.
:thumbsup:
Awesome stuff Terry and Tradgangers ...
Even from over here in Oz , having never shook Chris' hand ...I'll be taking a Bison backpack, donated by Angelo with the help of Biggie Hoffman on a hunt in March to New Zealand...my hunting arrows with feathers won by another T'ganger on Chris' auction...he just sent them on to me across the pond as a gift.
Again...well done Tradgang...
Real good stuff. :thumbsup:
Good on you Terry for being the driving force behind the donations! And a big way to go to everyone who was a part of helping out family!
Nice job Gang! Thanks Terry for making the donation process so easy. I think we have a special group of people here in our community. Glad to call you all friend.
Very cool Terry!!!
Very cool indeed! You guys are terrific.
Walking back into TradGang from too many years wandering in a desert of shallow humanity is like stepping over a threshold from black and white into living color. At least it was for me.
The tragic loss of a brother transformed into a living tribute like this is nothing short of miraculous....here there is always plenty of wood for the eternal campfire.
My wife will often sit with me as I stillhunt through the threads here. She is a kind and curious Chinese woman having many questions about the free world which many of us take for granted.
She does not understand this phenomenon - how anyone would reach beyond the bounds of the family and express oneness with the rest of the world.
It is too difficult to explain in word because it exists in the power of deed. Last week we found a perfect example while reading through a thread together.
She saw the avatar of Killdeer and we had to dwell there bit. She looked for a moment and then she said softly...beautiful.
To me, TG is a lot like that headdress....the fullness of color and texture and culture and tradition shrouding the background from a kind and beautiful face. Each feather having its own purpose...together the creation brotherhood.
I never knew Chris but I can easily feel him here. He lives through his friends. It is my honor to be numbered among you all!
Just great.... :thumbsup: :campfire:
Thats just awesome! Well thought out Terry.
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well done ....
A big tip of the hat to everyone on here for showing what humanity and caring is all about. A special salute to Terry for the leadership and ability to step up in the time of sorrow he must have felt. Just seeing and reading stuff on here reminds me why everyone here is in a special family. Well Done.
Terry, I can help us out with some of Chris' Broadheads. Skyler and I have several. I'll call you in a little while.
That amount of $$ raised is surely a tribute... but when one compares to the loss of a father, son, and friend, the scales remain unbalaced.
When these threads come up, I, being somewhat of an old fart, am drawn back to one of the early "Star Wars" movies where Obie One sacrifices himself and becomes part of the Force.
There surely seems to be much the same with Chris' presence in all who have something of his, have called him friend and feel his spirit with them in the woods.
Glad to have been such a tiny part of such a huge outpouring of love and support. It is what "being in community" is all about!
Chris, may the Force be with you!
Terry, it would be an honor to put one of Chris' heads through a La Tuque bear on Bear Quest V this June.
QuoteOriginally posted by Yellow Dog:
Terry, it would be an honor to put one of Chris' heads through a La Tuque bear on Bear Quest V this June.
I would consider it an honor to kill a Michigan Whitetail with one of those....actually I can imagine this global gang on a self-perpetuating, never ending hunt....
No doubt there will not be enough to go around tho and I'd hate to be the guy to lose one.
Can you have someone (maybe a sponsor) replicate the BH...maybe a couple hundred or so, have them engraved and/or whatever. We could pass those around and report in as we score.
Thank you