Our Christmas For OUR Troops program is once again swinging into high gear. For the past four years we have sent Christmas gift boxes to our troops serving us in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. At first the idea was to send a few boxes of neccesities and goodies to some of the troops we knew were overseas, sending probably 40 or 50 boxes the first year. Last year we sent over 600 boxes and this year the plan is to send over 1,000!
The support from individuals, businesses and churches has been overwhelming! People donate items, large and small, they donate services, money and most importantly their time and efforts! This year we have a whole new group of people in New Mexico who are gathering gifts and providing locations for others to drop off their donations. But....we can always use more help, items for our troops and yes sometimes money. Last year the postage bill for sending our boxes exceeded $12,000! So, if you can help in anyway, please look over our website linked above. We are a registered 503 [c] non profit corporation....and every dime goes towards showing our troops they are not forgotten.
And for a reminder of why we do this....read the few of many, many letters we have recieved back from our grateful servicemembers.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Doyle Dykes...
It was another of those nights when I wonder where all the folks in Midland were....the one's who complain about the lack of things to do in town. Guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes played before 75-80 folks at the First Presbyterian Church. In fairness it was a Sunday night and I suppose since Doyle was appearing at 1st Presby, more secular folks might have had the impression that this was a religous event. Doyle does have a great spiritual message in his music, which is why the church brought him to town, but Doyle played mainly what he's known for....hot lick country guitar! Doyle has played on stage with Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, and has been a regular on the Grand Ol' Opry. He is also the national spokesperson for Taylor Guitars and Rivera Amps.
A small crowd, but a great chance to talk with a musical genius!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Mission Accomplished.....
For the last week I have been intending to add an update concerning the success of the 25th Divisions visit to Midland. Luckily, in Sunday's Midland Reporter-Telegram, Mella McEwen has done a good job of summarizing the trip. I had a great time in the week with the 25th Division soldiers and the feedback from them on their experience was very positive. I'll be seeing them again soon. And a big thanks to the Midland oil community for their support and assistance. Here's Mella's take on the trip.....
Soldiers visit Midland for tips on protecting Iraqi oil facilities
by Mella McEwen
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 3:14 AM CDT
Before heading to northern Iraq later this fall, eight members of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division -- who have previously been to both Iraq and Afghanistan -- detoured to Midland to learn about the oil and gas industry. "Our goal was to get a broad overview of the oil industry and better prepare ourselves for going to Iraq," said Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Blacker, adding that another goal was to identify experts who could assist their efforts once they are in Iraq, experts they can call or e-mail after they arrive in Iraq.
The division's 'mentor,' retired four-star General James T. Hill, contacted his close friend Wallace Craig of Midland for help preparing the division to oversee oil operations in Iraq. "When they first contacted me, I envisioned they were more worried about how to secure the equipment, but their main focus is on putting Iraqis back to work, increasing production and growing the economy," he said.
Craig -- who was in the division in the mid-1970s -- said Hill, a close friend and fraternity brother, had asked him to go to Iraq, but he told Hill the soldiers would be better served coming to Midland, visiting actual facilities and talking with industry representatives. "I said they needed to look at getting many involved because the industry is so segmented," he said.
He then enlisted Midland College's Petroleum Professional Development Center to set up three days of training for the soldiers. The first day was a full-day classroom seminar, "Overview of the Oil and Gas Industry" presented by T.E. Gill at the PPDC building in downtown Midland, followed by an update on global markets, sales and prices at Wachovia Securities.
The second day involved a field trip, touring a Pioneer Natural Resources well site, pipeline operations at Plains All American tank farm and control center and compressor systems at Exterran. At the Plains tank farm, Craig said, the soldiers saw how a large-scale storage facility operates and how it is vulnerable. "They needed to know what the red flags were and what the red flags look like," he said.
Lt. Col. Blacker said the group got a good understanding from both the classroom presentation and the trip to actual sites "to see what the equipment looks like and what right looks like."
The second day concluded at the Petroleum Museum with a panel discussion involving experts in various segments of the industry. Nick Taylor, president of Mexco Energy, was among the panelists talking with the soldiers. "What they were most concerned with was creating jobs, boosting the economy and getting people involved," Taylor observed. He said one thing that amazed him was learning that the Iraqis have now buried their pipelines and encased them in concrete. Better securing the pipelines, he said, will let the Iraqis focus on economic development. Participants discussed suggestions such as holding a trade show similar to the upcoming Permian Basin International Oil Show.
"We directed them towards adding revenue, increasing production, recovering gas that's now being flared, capturing the vapors from production facilities," said Taylor. "We talked about generating facilities, using portable generators -- engines or turbines, those microturbines. Some of them thought that might not be feasible at this point but they were glad to hear our ideas. "We also talked about fertilizer, chemicals, value-added products," he continued.
Taylor noted that, since his days in the army, the military has broadened its concerns from combat to dealing with civilian-military affairs, which he found encouraging.
Craig said there is a benefit to Midlanders from the soldiers' visit in that contacts were made "so that when things improve, there will be opportunities in Iraq, especially for service companies. The potential in Iraq is huge. It has the second largest reserves after Saudi Arabia. That region is going to be a major energy center and it needs revitalization and it needs people who know how to revitalize it."
Lt. Col. Blacker said her group "really appreciate being here and welcomed with open arms."
Soldiers visit Midland for tips on protecting Iraqi oil facilities
by Mella McEwen
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 3:14 AM CDT
Before heading to northern Iraq later this fall, eight members of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division -- who have previously been to both Iraq and Afghanistan -- detoured to Midland to learn about the oil and gas industry. "Our goal was to get a broad overview of the oil industry and better prepare ourselves for going to Iraq," said Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Blacker, adding that another goal was to identify experts who could assist their efforts once they are in Iraq, experts they can call or e-mail after they arrive in Iraq.
The division's 'mentor,' retired four-star General James T. Hill, contacted his close friend Wallace Craig of Midland for help preparing the division to oversee oil operations in Iraq. "When they first contacted me, I envisioned they were more worried about how to secure the equipment, but their main focus is on putting Iraqis back to work, increasing production and growing the economy," he said.
Craig -- who was in the division in the mid-1970s -- said Hill, a close friend and fraternity brother, had asked him to go to Iraq, but he told Hill the soldiers would be better served coming to Midland, visiting actual facilities and talking with industry representatives. "I said they needed to look at getting many involved because the industry is so segmented," he said.
He then enlisted Midland College's Petroleum Professional Development Center to set up three days of training for the soldiers. The first day was a full-day classroom seminar, "Overview of the Oil and Gas Industry" presented by T.E. Gill at the PPDC building in downtown Midland, followed by an update on global markets, sales and prices at Wachovia Securities.
The second day involved a field trip, touring a Pioneer Natural Resources well site, pipeline operations at Plains All American tank farm and control center and compressor systems at Exterran. At the Plains tank farm, Craig said, the soldiers saw how a large-scale storage facility operates and how it is vulnerable. "They needed to know what the red flags were and what the red flags look like," he said.
Lt. Col. Blacker said the group got a good understanding from both the classroom presentation and the trip to actual sites "to see what the equipment looks like and what right looks like."
The second day concluded at the Petroleum Museum with a panel discussion involving experts in various segments of the industry. Nick Taylor, president of Mexco Energy, was among the panelists talking with the soldiers. "What they were most concerned with was creating jobs, boosting the economy and getting people involved," Taylor observed. He said one thing that amazed him was learning that the Iraqis have now buried their pipelines and encased them in concrete. Better securing the pipelines, he said, will let the Iraqis focus on economic development. Participants discussed suggestions such as holding a trade show similar to the upcoming Permian Basin International Oil Show.
"We directed them towards adding revenue, increasing production, recovering gas that's now being flared, capturing the vapors from production facilities," said Taylor. "We talked about generating facilities, using portable generators -- engines or turbines, those microturbines. Some of them thought that might not be feasible at this point but they were glad to hear our ideas. "We also talked about fertilizer, chemicals, value-added products," he continued.
Taylor noted that, since his days in the army, the military has broadened its concerns from combat to dealing with civilian-military affairs, which he found encouraging.
Craig said there is a benefit to Midlanders from the soldiers' visit in that contacts were made "so that when things improve, there will be opportunities in Iraq, especially for service companies. The potential in Iraq is huge. It has the second largest reserves after Saudi Arabia. That region is going to be a major energy center and it needs revitalization and it needs people who know how to revitalize it."
Lt. Col. Blacker said her group "really appreciate being here and welcomed with open arms."
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Army arrives..
After several months of work in the planning stages, my army consulting job got down to business today with the arrival of a number of command and staff officers from the 25th Infantry Division who have come to Midland to learn the basics of the oil business. The 25th Division will be deploying to the oil rich regions of Iraq in the very near future.
On Tuesday we will be having a full day of instruction in oil production systems at the Petroleum Professional Development Center. Wednesday morning will find us touring oil field production and transportation field sites followed by an afternoon panel discussion and question/answer session at the Petroleum Museum. Thursday we will be visiting the Alon/Fina Refinery in Big Spring before the 25th group departs that evening.
Tonight, with the help of The Petroleum Museum, I hosted a welcoming reception attended by many oil business legends who have helped me in putting the seminar together including Mayor Wes Perry, Arlen Edgar and T.B. O'Brien, who was responsible for extinquishing the oil fires in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.
It's an honor to be able to assist my old division as they prepare to deploy to Iraq....and once again I'm amazed at the quality of people we have serving in our armed forces. Like Major Kuhl, from the 25th Division's legal office. Major Kuhl recently graduated with honors with a masters degree in law from the University of Virginia. She could name her ticket in the corporate legal world, but chooses to serve her country. Enough said.
On Tuesday we will be having a full day of instruction in oil production systems at the Petroleum Professional Development Center. Wednesday morning will find us touring oil field production and transportation field sites followed by an afternoon panel discussion and question/answer session at the Petroleum Museum. Thursday we will be visiting the Alon/Fina Refinery in Big Spring before the 25th group departs that evening.
Tonight, with the help of The Petroleum Museum, I hosted a welcoming reception attended by many oil business legends who have helped me in putting the seminar together including Mayor Wes Perry, Arlen Edgar and T.B. O'Brien, who was responsible for extinquishing the oil fires in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.
It's an honor to be able to assist my old division as they prepare to deploy to Iraq....and once again I'm amazed at the quality of people we have serving in our armed forces. Like Major Kuhl, from the 25th Division's legal office. Major Kuhl recently graduated with honors with a masters degree in law from the University of Virginia. She could name her ticket in the corporate legal world, but chooses to serve her country. Enough said.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Two Years......
It was two years ago yesterday that Tres, The Big Gold Dog, passed away peacefully at home. Much has happened since then but it seems like only yesterday that he was here.....and at the same time, a lifetime ago. I think of him every day.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A trip east....?
Life really is interesting and sometimes really interesting things just appear out of the blue.
For the last year I've been trying to make arrangements on my own to go to Afghanistan to do photography. I had lined up media crendials and the paper work to become an "embedded" photographer with the army. The problem was securing transportation. To pay for travel out of pocket is extremely expensive and my efforts at securing a ride over on a military aircraft have not panned out...
So it was with a great deal of serendipity that a call came from an old friend several months ago offering me a paid trip with the army, not to Afghanistan but to Iraq. The friend is a recently retired senior army general who now consults for and advises the army. He told me that an infantry division would be deploying to the oil rich sectors of Iraq in January and that they wanted someone on board who knew the oil business...and the army. My name was suggested. Talks ensued in which I told commanders that I'm not really an expert in any one area, but my strong suit is knowing a lot of people who are so why don't we put together a consulting team of many experts from the differing areas of the oil business. The idea was well received.
So after a call received today, I guess I'm officially a US Army consultant for Iraq. The consultant who is hiring other consultants. We will be hosting, in Midland, a large group of the divisions staff officers and commanders for an "oil business 101" seminar after which we will be on call as the situation dictates in Northern Iraq. Trips over are likely, hopefully very short trips.
Interesting to boot in that the division I'm working with, is the very same one I served in all those years ago.
For the last year I've been trying to make arrangements on my own to go to Afghanistan to do photography. I had lined up media crendials and the paper work to become an "embedded" photographer with the army. The problem was securing transportation. To pay for travel out of pocket is extremely expensive and my efforts at securing a ride over on a military aircraft have not panned out...
So it was with a great deal of serendipity that a call came from an old friend several months ago offering me a paid trip with the army, not to Afghanistan but to Iraq. The friend is a recently retired senior army general who now consults for and advises the army. He told me that an infantry division would be deploying to the oil rich sectors of Iraq in January and that they wanted someone on board who knew the oil business...and the army. My name was suggested. Talks ensued in which I told commanders that I'm not really an expert in any one area, but my strong suit is knowing a lot of people who are so why don't we put together a consulting team of many experts from the differing areas of the oil business. The idea was well received.
So after a call received today, I guess I'm officially a US Army consultant for Iraq. The consultant who is hiring other consultants. We will be hosting, in Midland, a large group of the divisions staff officers and commanders for an "oil business 101" seminar after which we will be on call as the situation dictates in Northern Iraq. Trips over are likely, hopefully very short trips.
Interesting to boot in that the division I'm working with, is the very same one I served in all those years ago.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Gone West...
Ed, "Too Tall" Freeman was one of the four Medal of Honor recepients from the battle at LZ Xray portrayed in the film, We Were Soldiers. Today, I received the following sad news from someone who knew him best.
folks:
please be advised that an american hero crossed the river this morning bound for Fiddlers Green:
Maj. Ed (Too Tall to Fly) Freeman (Medal of Honor, Ia Drang Valley) died in a Boise hospital where he had been in intensive care and on life support for a number of days.
Ed was great company in a foxhole or a watering hole, and a great loyal friend of everyone who ever spent time around him.
Ed's best friend for only about 60 years, Bruce (Old Snake) Crandall, and Bruce's wife Arlene spent time with Ed saying their goodbyes--and continuing their long-running argument over which of them was the Second Best Pilot in the World-- last week.
Bruce told Ed that to prove he was the BPITW Bruce would get a chopper for the burial and sling-load Ed's coffin right into the grave.
We all mourn the loss of one of the Cavalry's two best pilots in the world.
Details of funeral home, funeral arrangements etc. are below.
Garry Owen!
Joe Galloway
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sad News....
I remember the sadness at the passing of The Big Gold Dog like it was yesterday. Now....I can share that feeling with Janie and her family on the loss of their dear friend and companion, Zoie.
Sounding Forth....with sadness
Sounding Forth....with sadness
Monday, August 11, 2008
Birthday...
Today is my Dad's birthday, he would have been 85 years old. Having spent so many years watching his health decline, I like to look at many of the old photos like the one above to remind me of what a great and active life he had. I miss him immensely.....
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Blogging for Fair Havens..
Blogging for Fair Havens organizer and grand master Jimmy Patterson is smiling here because we've just reached our goal of $10,000......just a little more than half way through the 24 hour event!! Thanks to all... and there is still time to donate using the link above!!
Blogging for Fair Havens
Things are going well in the HEB parking lot as local bloggers led by Jimmy Patterson are busy raising money for Midland Fair Havens. Local luminaries like Midland Mayor Wes Perry [above] are stopping by frequently to show their support. With only 8 hours under our belts, as of 3 o'clock, a grand total of $7,800 has been raised towards the total goal of $10,000. You can still make your pledge! Check out Blogging For Fair Havens
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Blogging for Fair Havens..
This Saturday, July 26th, I will be in the HEB parking lot high atop some sort of unsafe contraption that Jimmy Patterson has arranged for in order to help a very worthy cause, Midland Fair Havens. We will be blogging for Fair Havens in an effort to raise $10,000 to help with operating costs for this very worthwhile and needed non-profit organization. Along with Jimmy and a host of other famous guests we will blogging around the clock and hopefully we will achieve our goal....and more. Jimmy will be high atop his own 30 foot high lift and will be the online emcee for the event providing his own brand of wit and wisdom with, I suspect, a load of rewards and gifts for donors. So, tune in and help Midland Fair Havens. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hell-o or just yell from your car as you drive past. Please don't throw things, unless it's money....we are doing this for charity!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
And the Emmy winner is......
Our good friend and spokesperson for The Springboard Center, Jeanne Cooper of "The Young and the Restless"! Jeanne was awarded the 2008 "best actress" in a daytime drama for her role as Catherine Chancellor, a role she's been playing since 1973.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A legacy of giving.....
Dollye Neal Ballinger was a remarkable, giving woman and one who keeps on giving even after her passing. While she was alive her charities included a lasting music program at the First United Methodist Church and the beautiful chapel on the campus of Midland College.
Upon her death the bulk of her estate was put under the care of the Permian Basin Area Foundation to fund projects and programs to help the people she cared about. One of those was our Springboard Center and today our executive director and board received a check for $250,000 from Mrs. Ballinger's estate through the PBAF. These funds will help us complete our new 11,500 sf substance abuse treatment center now under construction.
Mrs. Ballinger was a supporter of, and believer in, our program and knew what a difference her assistance could make. It sure will....!! Thank you Dollye!
Upon her death the bulk of her estate was put under the care of the Permian Basin Area Foundation to fund projects and programs to help the people she cared about. One of those was our Springboard Center and today our executive director and board received a check for $250,000 from Mrs. Ballinger's estate through the PBAF. These funds will help us complete our new 11,500 sf substance abuse treatment center now under construction.
Mrs. Ballinger was a supporter of, and believer in, our program and knew what a difference her assistance could make. It sure will....!! Thank you Dollye!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Live onstage with Willie....
Who ever thought I'd be onstage with Willie Nelson? Certainly not me, but courtesy of his ex wife and my friend Connie Nelson....here I am onstage with Willie
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Let the fun begin...
It's reunion time! Two classes from Midland High, two classes from Lee High School. I won't devulge what years these are other than to say that I graduated in the last century. Several of us at various points around Texas have been working on this for six months. Sometimes working a whole lot.
But it should be worth the effort with probably 450+ attending. Friday night is an event I organized at the Chaparral Gallery in the Petroleum Museum, Saturday night the big shindig at the Midland Center put together by a professional reunion service out of Houston. Using advanced search engines they found many lost souls. Several of us "googled" up more. I found my class president in the Seattle area. His parents relocated from Midland the year he graduated and he hasn't been back since. He's excited. Many people I've kept up with, many I haven't. I ended up with 90+ classmates on my personal list and most are coming. Too fun.....
I must rest up Sunday after they all depart, because I visit Willie Nelson that night...more fun.
But it should be worth the effort with probably 450+ attending. Friday night is an event I organized at the Chaparral Gallery in the Petroleum Museum, Saturday night the big shindig at the Midland Center put together by a professional reunion service out of Houston. Using advanced search engines they found many lost souls. Several of us "googled" up more. I found my class president in the Seattle area. His parents relocated from Midland the year he graduated and he hasn't been back since. He's excited. Many people I've kept up with, many I haven't. I ended up with 90+ classmates on my personal list and most are coming. Too fun.....
I must rest up Sunday after they all depart, because I visit Willie Nelson that night...more fun.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A second chance...
In September of 1995 Willie Nelson performed in Midland at a very nice, relatively small outdoor show on the Courthouse lawn. My Dad was a golfing partner of the father of the show's promoter and so became the recepient of a backstage pass to the show. Graciously, he bestowed the pass on me. Backstage, in this case, meant sitting on the back of the lowrise temporary platform that Willie performed on. For most of the show I sat on the stage right next to Willie's sister, and longtime piano player, Bobbie Nelson. A great show with Willie playing a solid two hours of his greatest hits.
After the show, the pass entitled me to come to the "meet and greet" with Willie. In this case held outside his motor coach, parked on the street right in front of the Petroleum Building, which later became my office. After Willie relaxed for a half an hour or so, he descended from the motor home, shook the hands of we eight or ten fans with passes, brought out some lawn chairs and invited everyone to stay and talk. And that we did until about 2 a.m. when there were just two us left with Willie. As you can imagine it was a rare treat. Except for one thing, which I've regretted ever since...I didn't have a camera with me. I got an autograph, but no pictures.
But now, fate, serendipity or just good fortune is bringing me a second chance. In the past year I've become good friends with Willie's ex wife, Connie Nelson. Connie is a sweetheart of a woman. Kind, caring, talented and very interesting, she was instrumental in the success of our recent Troop Salute in San Antonio, arranging for bands and raising money. Connie also brought her best friend, Phyllis with her to help out. As I was eating dinner with Phyllis the topic of Willie arose. I asked her if she knew him very well. "Well yes," she said, "his sister Bobbie is my step-mother".
So when I found out that Willie will be appearing soon in Odessa, I called Connie. "Hi Connie, Willie is going to be in Odessa on June 29th, I wonder if you could......" That's all I got out before she said, "you want some backstage passes?" And so she called Willie's manager and within a day it was arranged, giving me all the names in Willie's tour group that I need to know and who to talk to about taking photographs onstage. And when I talked to Phyllis this week she added, "I'll see Bobby tonight, I'll tell her about you and ask her to make sure things go OK."
Sometimes we do get second chances in life....and they may even work out better than first chances.
After the show, the pass entitled me to come to the "meet and greet" with Willie. In this case held outside his motor coach, parked on the street right in front of the Petroleum Building, which later became my office. After Willie relaxed for a half an hour or so, he descended from the motor home, shook the hands of we eight or ten fans with passes, brought out some lawn chairs and invited everyone to stay and talk. And that we did until about 2 a.m. when there were just two us left with Willie. As you can imagine it was a rare treat. Except for one thing, which I've regretted ever since...I didn't have a camera with me. I got an autograph, but no pictures.
But now, fate, serendipity or just good fortune is bringing me a second chance. In the past year I've become good friends with Willie's ex wife, Connie Nelson. Connie is a sweetheart of a woman. Kind, caring, talented and very interesting, she was instrumental in the success of our recent Troop Salute in San Antonio, arranging for bands and raising money. Connie also brought her best friend, Phyllis with her to help out. As I was eating dinner with Phyllis the topic of Willie arose. I asked her if she knew him very well. "Well yes," she said, "his sister Bobbie is my step-mother".
So when I found out that Willie will be appearing soon in Odessa, I called Connie. "Hi Connie, Willie is going to be in Odessa on June 29th, I wonder if you could......" That's all I got out before she said, "you want some backstage passes?" And so she called Willie's manager and within a day it was arranged, giving me all the names in Willie's tour group that I need to know and who to talk to about taking photographs onstage. And when I talked to Phyllis this week she added, "I'll see Bobby tonight, I'll tell her about you and ask her to make sure things go OK."
Sometimes we do get second chances in life....and they may even work out better than first chances.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Sam "Steamboat" Mokuahi....
Steamboat, with our two Army Club Tropic Lightning outriggers at WaikikiWithout friends in Hawaii anymore, I hadn't heard the news, two years old, that an old friend of mine had passed away. Sam Mokuahi was a legend in the islands. His dad had been one of the original Waikiki beachboys and Sam Jr. followed in his dad's footsteps. Sam's Newspaper story..
Sam, or just Steamboat, was the guy who introduced me to outrigger canoe racing when I lived in Hawaii. Sam was a nationally known professional wrestler in the '60's and 70's, but his passion was outrigger canoes and keeping the old traditions and customs of their heritage alive. Sam had the idea that the US Army, having a big presence in Hawaii, ought to participate in the local racing events. So he talked the commanding general of the 25th Division into forming a team......and I was chosen to be the commanding officer, such as it was.
Sam spent 6 months of his own time teaching ten novice guys how to get proficient enough to enter the big race of the year, the Aloha Week canoe race from the island of Molokai back to Honolulu. An open ocean race 58 miles in length. We made it, second to last out of 25 boats. Sam kept after us, even providing some of his beachboy paddlers as coaches and the next year, half way through the race, we were in third place out of 35 boats when our rigging snapped in 15 foot swells and we had to withdraw. When the Army withdrew it's support and our team disbanded, Sam asked me to join his private beachboy team.....the only haole [non local] on the team...something I'm still proud of.
Sam was, physically, a huge guy.....but huge also in spirit, gentleness and kindness. I have two canoe paddles from my racing days. One, made of Hawaiian Koa wood, was a gift to me from Sam. A special permit is needed from the state to cut Koa wood and Sam had one to build beautiful paddles and handmade canoes. I'll treasure my paddle all the more now. I loved the last, very fitting, line of his obit article, "A flotilla of canoes will accompany the scattering of ashes beyond the reef". Wish I could have been there.
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