Looks like camp is open

Well camp turnout tonight was great. My wife and I met a lot of good people and didn't even get to them all so I apologize if I didn't make talk with you. Took a bunch of pics but didn't get much taken from the time everyone was eating and on. This was when the most people were there. The lack of pics at this time is due to my 1.5 year old son being impossible and not letting me put him down without him screaming. This was due to lack of sleep, hungriness and him being hot. He eventually settled back down towards the end of the night when prizes were to be handed out. Thanks to all that donated prizes. Love my bag full of jigs and plastics. Also thank you Slab for the t-shirt. Here is a group shot of most everyone. I will comb through the pics tomorrow and post more. Due to forum size limitations on pics it will only post the pic this big.

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The first Oklahoma Crappie Camp is in the books and I have to say it was huge success. I would like to thank Dave, Floyd, Merle, and Pappa for doing the lions share of the work on getting it organized. They had a very good plan from the beginning and with the help of numerous volunteers both days it went off great. A BIG THANK YOU to our sponsors for all the prizes. Thank you to the cooks and the registration ladies. Being able to put a real name and face with the handles used on CDC was nice. I met a lot of new people who were just as great as the ones I have met over the last 4-5 years. My wife and son really enjoyed it also. Only wished we could have stayed for both days, work always gets in the way of a good time.

As great as the food, fellowship, seminars, and prizes were the thing that made me the most proud was the little "opening ceremony" just before we ate on Friday. Floyd called everyone to attention and announced how special of a day it was to be having our first meeting but announced that June 6th was a very special day for another reason, it was the 70th anniversary of D-Day. He asked for a moment of silence to honor those who served then and who are still actively serving. He proceeded to thank them for their sacrifice so we could be free to enjoy days like this. We then were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by a young man assisted by a young lady holding the flag. I think Hat55's wife then led a crowd of over 50 in singing the National Anthem. As I tried to sing, I could only think of my grand dad who had been one of those men who served on D-Day. As I looked around I don't think I was the only one with a tear in my eye. Later Mrs. Hat told me she could barely sing for being choked up. Hat55 then led us in a moving prayer thanking our soldiers, past and current, then thanking Jesus, who gave us ultimate freedom through his blood. I stood there as proud as I could be, to be part of a group of people who knew where we came from and the sacrifices made to get there.

Needless to say I am very proud to be part of such a great group of people. I look forward to our next meeting and who says we can only do one a year. I think a Spring and Fall Camp would be great.

Thank you again to everyone who had any part in making this happen!!

Odie
Doug Owens

Doug as I reflected back on the last two days trying so hard to put in words my feelings and thoughts which are many I just couldn't put it in words. "Well Done My Friend" like you the singing of the National Anthem and Pledge to Our Great Flag certainly put more than one tear in my eyes. Like you I reflected back thinking of my StepDad which raised me as his own also served in the Marines in World War II. He didn't land on D Day but fought in the Battles of The South Pacific. Several times I happened to see him break down when a reunion would happen remembering those Battles and those that sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice.

A huge Thanks to Dave, Floyd, Merle, and Allen for their hard work to put this together in such short notice and being a great success. To our sponsors for all they do in promoting the sport we so LOVE. To all my friends from the past and new ones I just made Thanks for coming out and making this something we are all proud to be a part of.

THANKS EVERYONE
RANGER

Very well said Ranger and Odie! I am glad you all are good with words, those are my sentiments exactly! I would like to thank Dave, Floyd, Merle, and Pappa for all of their hard work!! It was a terrific time. Next year I plan on being their the whole time, with maybe an additional day before, if hay cutting will let me.
It was really nice putting faces with names off of the forum.

Yep very well said. Thanks to all that helped out in making this happen in such a short notice. I was impressed.

I am not near as good with words as others who have posted before me. I would like to say X2 to what Odie, and Ranger both said. It was a wonderful weekend and I am so thankful for getting to put faces with names and even more thankful for the new friends that were made this weekend. In a world full of deadlines, hustle and bustle, and constantly trying to get a head of the game. It was wonderful to just sit back, visit and enjoy the presence of people with the same loves and joys in life that I share.

I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone that helped put this idea into a wonderful reality. I will cherish these last few days to my end days. There is a special thank you that goes out to someone out there that they told me "Don't mention it". Well Brother Thank you anyways. LOL

In closing I hope to see everyone next year at Crappie camp and sooner if possible.

Bobo