Thank you from Afghanistan

MP1SG · January 31, 2011, 12:42:00 AM

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.

January 31, 2011, 01:21:00 AM

Yea Vern!
I appreciate your service more than you can imagine!

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!!

MP1SG · January 31, 2011, 03:38:00 AM

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

Bud B. · January 31, 2011, 07:04:00 AM

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

MP1SG · January 31, 2011, 07:15:00 AM

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!

magnus · January 31, 2011, 07:35:00 AM

It us that need to thank you Vern! You and the rest of your brothers and sisters in arms.

THANK YOU!!!!

Matt

rholzie · January 31, 2011, 09:24:00 AM

I second that emotion!!!!! And may God bless you all!

Terry Green · January 31, 2011, 09:33:00 AM

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...

CavScoutArcher · January 31, 2011, 10:35:00 AM

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

Zmonster · January 31, 2011, 10:38:00 AM

Scouts out, Brother.

Thanks for the updated addy. I'll have some goodies in route soon.

CavScoutArcher · January 31, 2011, 11:05:00 AM

Thanks Casey

centaur · January 31, 2011, 11:14:00 AM

CavScout,
From one old Cav trooper to another, thanks for serving and stay safe.
D trp., 3/4 Cav, 25th ID, 67-68

peter c iacavazzi · January 31, 2011, 12:16:00 PM

God Bless and Thank you for Keeping our Country Free! Stay Safe my friend!

HOOOOAH!

Peter Iacvazzi
www.kuiu.com
peteri@kuiu.com

Jon Stewart · January 31, 2011, 02:46:00 PM

Aaron, be safe and Semper Fi from Muskegon, Michigan. My wife is from Elmira, Michigan. small world isn't it.

Blacktail101 · January 31, 2011, 03:40:00 PM

My family wants to thank you for keeping us free and safe and for what you do for archery..thanks Semper Fi

pronghorn23 · January 31, 2011, 09:43:00 PM

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!

MP1SG · January 31, 2011, 11:56:00 PM

Scouts out indeed!

125 INF BN SCOUT 1995-1998

Good luck with the range, your in good hands now.

CavScoutArcher · February 01, 2011, 05:07:00 AM

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.

justracey · February 01, 2011, 06:54:00 AM

Thanks for all you guy's do over there

Dave McDaniel · February 01, 2011, 07:43:00 AM

NO, Thank You! And Thank all who serve here and abroad!