Happy Fourth All G-A

[VCM3]

I really am enjoying reading all of your posts. The fantastic pictures are icing.
In these parts alot of folks took a 5 day holiday weekend,with the way the Fourth landed mid week.
So keep 'em coming,we're not finished. Thank You. I still have a few to re locate to good homes.

Thanks Again,for everything,-Vince

 

[Doug Add]

No kidding? Her current CHENG (Chief Engineer) and I served on the USS Scott (DDG-995) together. I was a Lieutenant doing my post-nuke tour and he was an Ensign qualifying Surface Warfare before heading to the nuclear pipeline and Enterprise. This is his third tour on her.

We were sitting in his backyard up in Chesapeake following the COC ceremony where he turned over command of his previous ship in order to become CVN-65's RO, and he said to me, "This is a great honor to serve on such a historic vessel, and I will forever be the last RO of the Enterprise." Back in January when he emailed me 50th birthday greetings from their workup cruise prior to final deployment he said, "The ship has us beat, she turned 50 back in November."

30 plus years ago when we were high school seniors trying to figure out what to do with our lives, he chose the U.S. Navy, and that ranks with the decision to marry his wife as the two best choices he ever made. It's been a good career for him, and I am proud of his service. He always was brilliant, but I couldn't even understand the abstract of his Master's thesis in Underwater Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School, let alone the thesis itself!

How does this figure into the contest? It shows the opportunities this land of the free offers a small town Indiana boy who is willing to sacrifice and work hard. Great country!

Thanks again Vince and John for giving us this platform to speak of our great nation!

 

[FLymon]

I'm in!
Thanks for a very generous giveaway Vince!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Independence day. And I hope we took at least a little time to reflect on just how improbable, and glorious, the success of of our founding fathers was in defying the greatest power the world had ever known thereby gaining our independence that we still enjoy today, 236 years later.

God bless America!

 

[Brian.Evans]

I'm also in. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.

I spent the Fourth working. I'm a medic in a busy metro area. We didn't have a single fireworks related injury, but we got out butts kicked with calls. I was exhausted, but every time I did paperwork and wrote 7/4/2012, I tried to place in my mind those that would rather be exhausted in central IL than central Kabul or central Baghdad. I also remembered those First Patriots that fought on home soil for the right to choose their own path in life.

I carried this US made 1936-1956 Imperial yesterday.

And a few from my overseas time.

Iraq team:

Afghanistan team:

Flying into Balad, Iraq:

Flying out of Bagram, Afghanistan to Kandahar:

Operational Medicine in Afghanistan:

A beautiful sunrise in Bagram:

And finally,
Something to remember, written inside a bathroom stall on one of the bases in Kuwait:

Just by the way, that flag was in my pack everywhere I went. I crossed the Atlantic six times, went to two active war zones, one former war zone and a total of 7 foreign countries. It has flown over every house or apartment I've ever lived in. It now is retired and one of the most sentimental items I have in my house.

God bless America an those who keep her free.

 

[338375]

Vince, this is a very generous give away, and also one that makes me think...

So often, and probably like most people, I get caught up in the day to day issues of life, and don't always appreciate how fortunate we truly are to live in this great country. There is good reason that many people from other countries, want to live here.

My step daughter and her husband had a baby boy 1 year ago. Here husband is in the Military, and had already served two tours in Afghanistan, but 3 weeks after he was born, he re-deployed for a third tour.
Last weekend she had a big birthday party for him, in the town I grew up in, so we drove 120 miles for the party. Just as she put him in the high chair to eat his first Birthday cake, Ryan called... We all said hi, and she sent him some great pictures.

Anyway, after he called, it really hit me. Like many others, who are serivng our country and away from their families, he was thousands of miles away, and missed his sons first birthday. It truly put in to perspective what these great people sacrifice for all of us, and to keep our great country free, for future genrations.

About 6 years ago, I had another experience that really put things into perspective...
My moms cousin, like many other young men at the time, was drafted right out of high school and went to Viet Nam. He was a door gunner, and had only been their 16 days, when their bird took a hit, and all onboard wer ekilled.

6 years ago, we got to see " The Wall ". When we first started walking up to it, I stopped and stared at it. Seeing all the names , was beyond overwhelming. We all hear the numbers, but when you see all the names of those who didn't come back home, it is almost hard to comprehend.

So many have given their all, and that is a debt that can never be repayed. It is something we should remember, and think about every day, and not just on holidays.

Sorry for the rambling. I don't have time to post any pictures right now, it's time to go to work

 

[VCM3]

The pulled pork is at it best and the chilled, sweetness, of the coleslaw that helps to combat that humid breeze has never tasted so sweet. Smiles surround as good food is enjoyed and memories of last year's hunting season are reminisced. The corn stalks shuffle in the summer's breeze as the fuse is lit and the festivities are about to begin. Bottle rockets keep the kids entertained as the day passes and night falls, soon that pitch black American sky will be lit up with the most brilliant colors of the year. Ooohs and awwwes show appreciation for the "hard" work put into the "perfect" fireworks display.

The farm witnesses another 4th and we remember everything we've been blessed with through the years. Those who have laid down their lives for protection of this beautiful country are remembered and those who fight for us now are honored.
Pride is a great thing on a day like this.

Johnny did you write this ?

 

[johnny twoshoes]

Yes sir I did.
I hope it's okay, I was felt like writing something a little different and the 4th is a great inspiration.

If I need a pic or something to enter, I'll get one up.

 

[navihawk]

Edited for discressional privacy
also thanks for all the guys and gals who are serving, and have a great 4th for all.

 

[LKJW]

Happy belated fourth to all. Cool GA. Thanks and God bless.

My girls and knife bud on the 4th.

 

[knarfeng]

Happy belated fourth to all. Cool GA. Thanks and God bless.

My girls and knife bud on the 4th.

That's a fun age. You be doing good, Dad.

 

[VCM3]

Yes sir I did.
I hope it's okay, I was felt like writing something a little different and the 4th is a great inspiration.

If I need a pic or something to enter, I'll get one up.

Nope,not necessary. I like it & I'm thinking it got U the third Lloyd choice.

 

[Chief]

My parents anniversary was on the 4th of July, Mom would say that everyone helped them celebrate. When I was a little fella, on the 4th we would go to my grandparents and have watermelon. In the evening it was off to Adams Park where most of the town gathered to shoot their fireworks in a large circular area, that allowed you to see everyone's fireworks. Fireworks was the highlight for me and still is today.

one of this year's shots this year that resembles a bird in flight

two smaller birds being chased by a much larger bird

Click here if you would like to view the rest of this year's pics.

John, thanks for making affordable custom slipjoints. I gifted the one you made for me it to my son for his birthday, he loves the way it cuts so much better than his thick "tactical" knives. Am doing what I can to convert folks, one at a time.

Vince, thanks for your generosity.

 

[smiling-knife]

Beautiful photos of the fireworks. Thanks for posting them.

 

[VCM3]

:thumbup: Thanks Everyone,so far Chief,just awesome

I'm hoping John gets on the plane to St. Louis with sore arms from fighting Tarpon

Tomorrow we have a double header Eagle Ceremony :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[WA Martin]

Well, I don't know if this is really what you were looking for but one of my great....great grandfathers was a forager for the Revolutionary Army at the Battle of Cowpens in the Revolutionary War.

Happy 4th (even if it is a little late).

 

[VCM3]

My parents anniversary was on the 4th of July, Mom would say that everyone helped them celebrate. When I was a little fella, on the 4th we would go to my grandparents and have watermelon. In the evening it was off to Adams Park where most of the town gathered to shoot their fireworks in a large circular area, that allowed you to see everyone's fireworks. Fireworks was the highlight for me and still is today.

one of this year's shots this year that resembles a bird in flight

two smaller birds being chased by a much larger bird

Click here if you would like to view the rest of this year's pics.

John, thanks for making affordable custom slipjoints. I gifted the one you made for me it to my son for his birthday, he loves the way it cuts so much better than his thick "tactical" knives. Am doing what I can to convert folks, one at a time.

Vince, thanks for your generosity.

This is such beautiful photography. Thanks Chief!

I'd like to comment,that after getting to know John better at the Blade Show this year,he confirmed...
He'd much rather make knives at his own pace & skill level,witch has improved tremendously,in a year,IMHO,and get them to the knife people at an affordable pricetag,than test himself,only to raise prices,etc. He truly wants his knives to be carried & used,and loves all kinds of natural handle scales & unique & antique synthetics.
You have to respect that.That's a pretty traditional thought into the knives,I'd say.

 

[Humppa]

Thank you guys for the posted pics. It´s great looking at them

Kind regards
Andi

 

[pistonsandgears]

Wow what a great give away that was, wish I had seen it sooner. I spent the day with my wife and son at the beach, we stayed and watched the fireworks display set off from the pier. Sadly the camera was forgotten at home.
Thanks for the generous give away and congrats to the worthy winners. I enjoyed reading the posts and seeing all the pictures.

 

[VCM3]

First chosen :

Vince, I really appreciate the opportunities that you and all the other members of this forum offer. It is refreshing to go to a forum and not hear whining about how terrible our goverment situation is. As a member of the US Army for the last 18 years with 5 deployments 4 Afghanistan and 1 Iraq missing multiple 4th of July's while serving it gives me hope that my son and daughter will grow up in a nation that believes in individual liberties even one as simple as owning ,enjoying, sometimes even "Playing" with our knives these freedoms that we take for granted are not always available in other parts of the world. Besides the extremely important fact that on this day our forefathers stood bravely against tyranny and signed that document that forever changed our path as Americans I feel it is very important to take a few minutes and either publicly or privately give those brave men and women that are still over there in harms way a thought and maybe a short prayer of safety and remembrance. Happy 4th of July! Also the 4th just happens to be my birthday.

Thank you
Grover Pope
SFC U.S. Army

Second chosen :

Happy Independence Day!

My birth certificate has "Live Free or Die" printed directly on it, and I'm grateful for all who have served in so many ways to create and sustain the Freedom, freedoms, and quality of life we enjoy as Americans.

My oldest son, an Officer Candidate with the USMC, leaves Sunday for his second boot camp. Both his grandfathers served in the military in WWII, but he will be the first in our family since that generation to do so. I love what the pursuit has already been producing (and revealing) in him, even as this mother's heart trembles on his behalf.

If I'm chosen, I'll give the knife to my son. I couldn't be prouder of him, and he'd be deeply honored to carry a current example of such fine American craftsmanship-- and the hearts behind the same-- as he makes his way forward.

~ P.

Third chosen :

The pulled pork is at it best and the chilled, sweetness, of the coleslaw that helps to combat that humid breeze has never tasted so sweet. Smiles surround as good food is enjoyed and memories of last year's hunting season are reminisced. The corn stalks shuffle in the summer's breeze as the fuse is lit and the festivities are about to begin. Bottle rockets keep the kids entertained as the day passes and night falls, soon that pitch black American sky will be lit up with the most brilliant colors of the year. Ooohs and awwwes show appreciation for the "hard" work put into the "perfect" fireworks display.

The farm witnesses another 4th and we remember everything we've been blessed with through the years. Those who have laid down their lives for protection of this beautiful country are remembered and those who fight for us now are honored.
Pride is a great thing on a day like this.

This was hard choices ,but with no rhyme or reason,as originally stated these are the chosen so far.
I want to thank all,this was a great G-A & thread ,and it's still going,I have to pick the fourth,for the Schrade LB.
I am reading & re reading,and I may have to add another knife or two more because there are a few posts that really sing out to me
Thanks All,and when this one is finished,it's not over yet,but perhaps in the future we'll have to do more.

Tomorrow we will be having a double Eagle Scout Award presentation.Congrat's to Adam & Zach.

 

[supratentorial]

Congrats to the giveaway winners and the Eagle Scout awardees too!