Remembering The 4th of July By Simply Saying...Thanks

It seems it was only yesterday that many of us throughout the boards of Fishing Buddy Outdoors (FBO) and other affiliates of the Total Outdoor Network were talking about the long winter and spring flooding. Now, I'm writing today to wish you all a happy and safe Independence Day! Where does the time go?

It's been my pleasure in meeting several of you or at least interacting with you in some way since I was given the opportunity to work more closely with FBO. I appreciate all the kind words and the AWESOME cooperation you have all shown throughout the sites. In addition to extending my gratitude to all of you I'd like to revisit a story I wrote a year ago regarding Memorial Day. To my disgust, this year I overlooked sending this story or another story in honor of those most deserving. I pulled this story from my file and it again made water appear in my eyes. I think it is still powerful and instead of writing a new tidbit I thought I’d share again? So folks, please read and when you are enjoying the 4th of July with friends and family take a moment and say…Thanks.

[Story written a year ago in honor of Memorial Day]

A couple weeks ago I was in Bismarck visiting my girlfriend’s dad. It so happened that the same weekend one of Dani's relatives was returning home from Iraq. Like many others, I've been through a few of the welcome-homes. Each has been filled with tears of happiness and many hugs. I wasn't able to attend Scott's welcome-home but Dani's mom did.

I sent my best wishes to Scott through Arlene. Later that afternoon Arlene shared stories like how Scott's son Logan followed him around like a gun shy puppy. Dani and I both giggled at the picture we had in our heads of Logan clinging to his dad but it wasn't until what Dani's mom told me next that jerked a teary reaction.

Arlene went on to explain that Scott had his own thanks to extend to me. He wanted to let me know that he appreciated everything I did with the site. I'll be straight-forward that I do not take to compliments well especially when more can always be done, and the fact I’m not really the person to be receiving the gratitude. But Arlene continued explaining Scott took every second he could to look at photos, read people's outdoor stories, and other things to keep his mind where it needed to be during his stay in Iraq.

I'll admit it, after what I just heard I hid my tears from Dani and Arlene but when I stepped downstairs I stood in privacy wiping tears away. I mean, an outdoor website of which we all take for granted was actually comforting fellow American soldier’s afar? And one of them was saying thanks to me? It just didn’t seem right since I was the one that should be saying all the thank you’s. Folks that moment in my life really hit me where it mattered.

This is why I wanted your attention. It isn't me or the folks that make this site available to online viewers that deserve thanks. It's the fine men, women and young outdoorsmen / women who view this site that deserve the thanks. It's your stories, it's your photos, it's your interaction and it's your love for the outdoors and the state of North Dakota that made many far from home feel comfort they at times desperately needed. Furthermore, it is the soldiers who have fallen before them that gave us the independence from socialist and tyrant governments. They gave their life so we may be free. The only thing we can give to those who have fallen and those who continue to serve is to live our lives with respect and responsibility…and to say thanks.

A question we should ask ourselves is if a North Dakota soldier in Iraq is thanking all of us sharing our stories on an outdoor website, are we showing our thanks to that North Dakotan soldier? Or for that matter, is our country doing what they can to show their thanks? All I can do is try my best to extend gratitude on behalf of FBO and that’s what I hope to accomplish with my writing you are reading today. Independence Day is reserved for remembering the American Revolution and the independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. But let’s not allow fireworks, barbecues and picnics to cloud our much needed gratitude. It has taken generations upon generations of support and defense and for that we must never forget our troops who have fallen, served, or are still serving.

With that said, a thank you to all and I hope you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy the upcoming holiday. It's one I take pride in enjoying since it honors our great country's men and women including those we have lost. It also should serve as a very needed and important reminder that our country became what it is not by socialist views and controlling government. We must protect what others died to give us. Whatever you may have planned with family or friends this weekend please pause for a moment of silence for our fine young men and women who have or still are defending what we call freedom.

And Scott, if you are reading this, thank you for re-motivating me. Sometimes a person doesn't realize how important the simplest things are...

Before I end this letter I'd like to invite you all to view the talk forum I started.  It is a short but powerful reminder we all should view.  God Bless and have a great 4th of July weekend all!

- Tim Sandstrom