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John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Wounded EOD Warrior FoundationPeople have often offered to donate to our race team. We do not accept donations, but if you would like to donate to a good cause, please consider www.woundedeodwarrior.org. This foundation was established to help the soldiers and families of wounded bomb technicians, both military and police. They are a great organization, please help them out if you can. In Memory of Sgt. J.P. Huling
I cannot help pondering what a truly remarkable group of men and women have stepped forward from this generation. Since our country as attacked on 9/11, our nation has shown the world what makes our country great. It is the people that make it great. Sgt Huling is an example that exemplifies all that is remarkable of this young generation. I can say this with absolute certainty, because I had the honor of meeting this young man. In November of 2011, my middle son, Ted, was graduating from EOD School at Eglin AFB. My wife and I drove down to witness one of the most humbling graduation ceremonies that I have seen. There were twelve young men and women from all branches of the Armed Services that were graduating from what is considered to be one of the most, if not the most, grueling courses of study in the military. My son introduced us to several classmates to include Sgt. Huling. 
I recall Ted telling me about several classmates, but one in particular stood out. Ted described a young Marine Corps Sergeant that I was eager to meet. This sergeant was quite remarkable according to my son. He was caring, professional, ethical, and a host of other attributes that is hoped for in a leader. But the man that possessed these attributes was not an old crusty veteran, but rather a young E-5 in the Marine Corps. Ted explained to me that Sgt. J.P. Huling made him want to be the best soldier he could be. Ted wanted to be a better person for having been associated with Sgt. Huling. When I met Sgt. Huling, I noted his demeanor. His caring eyes, his smile, and most of all his professional courtesy. "What a remarkable man", I thought to myself. He was the class NCOIC, which was of no surprise upon meeting him. Yet, all of these young men and women were remarkable. I realized at that point and time that we had the very best in the world standing in front of us graduating from EOD School. Not just the best techs, but the best people. Sgt. Huling was killed in Afghanistan on May 6, 2012. Words will never describe the loss of Sgt. Huling. I can only state our gratitude. There is no doubt that the world is a better place because of him. My son Ted is a better person because of him. My family and I are better because of him. We will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. It is a humbling honor to have met such a fine young man and to have shaken his hand. God Bless the Huling family. Eagle River 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
In an hour, I will be visiting another officer, Frank Mackall, injured in the line of duty. He sustained a TBI. What do you say to his family? What do you do? The answer comes by the actions of people that I have not met. The race team has given me the answer. You see, this year I just did not have the time or abilities to make the SDR sleds competitive. My life long friend, Kevin, is focused on family and was in the same boat as myself. Thus enters the Fenhaus family from Wausau, Wisconsin. I knew of the family name, as did all who are involved with snowmobile racing. I had met Dan Fenhaus in the spring of 2011, at a gas station half way in between Minneapolis and Wausau. Dan is an unassuming man, very soft spoken, yet very determined. He and his family have been racing Champ (modern) oval sleds for several years now. They however had heard we needed help and also needed a rider for the team's Army sled. They stepped up to offer assistance. And when I use the word, "assistance" I mean 100% dedication, with not even the slightest bit of faltering. Dan, his father Jim, and mechanic Mike worked long tireless hours ensuring the Army sled was competitive. They did not want to let the Army down, the team down, or any service member, cop, etc... I have to also clearify that I have never met Jim Fenhaus in person. We had some phone conversations, but that was the extent of our interaction. So what possesses a family to give it all for a team and cause that they have only read about? I wondered this and pondered it out loud with my wife and friend Allen. FYI, Allen is a former Swat sniper from Idaho and a very dear friend. I am so humbled by the effort of the Fenhaus' and another dear friend Kevin. The Fenhaus family put on parts that they had bought. They used parts from their own sleds. The hours of tuning and effort exemplify the whole concept of "sheer determination!" Kevin spoke with me on the phone about his lengthy conversations in the Fenhaus race trailer. As Kevin spoke praise of the effort put forth, my eyes welled with tears. I know…not manly, but truly humbled. Words cannot express how deeply appreciative I am of the teams effort. I asked Kevin, "What makes them so motivated?" Kevin said, "respect and the honor of racing for a cause". The honor is ours. I am so honored by the selfless dedication they have displayed. The Fenhaus' exemplify the spirit of Americans. The quiet, humble, hard working American family that represents all that is great within this country. For this, I say "Thank You." I do not and have never possessed the ability to achieve a truly exceptional race snowmobile. I can only do what I did. Mr. Jim Fenhaus and his son Dan, Mike their mechanic and Kevin have shown this broken bomb tech that people really do care. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Later: As my wife Wendy, friend Allen, and I spoke to the family, I received a call from Kevin. He told me that Dan Fenhaus had finished 3rd in the 340cc Super Mod class at the World Championship races at Eagle River! I did not speak long, but I was aware of the effort put forth by everyone at the track. The effort to represent the Army with honor and dignity. The Fenhaus's literally "willed" the sled to a 3rd place finish. I would like to claim some sort of credit for building a sled that could compete, but that would be diminishing the effort put forth by the team! The team. That is what brought me to visit Frank at North Memorial Hospital. Team, family, the brotherhood of soldiers and cops, and the appreciation for our country, are what we as a team want to represent. To be able to talk with the family and friends of Officer Mackall was a tremendous honor. Officers gathered in support of a fellow officer to let them know that they are not alone. Thank you to all who serve and protect us, and our way of life. Freedom is not free. The price for freedom is often overlooked. God bless Officer Shawn Schnider and his family. God bless Officer Frank Mackall and his family. God bless all of you that stand in harms way for us. Who We HonorWe honor all who serve and also have placed the names of some very special heroes on the sides of our sleds.
It is with great honor and dignity that we display the names of these men. All of them represent what a true American hero is. Our thoughts and prayers are always with these gentlemen and their families. God Bless them. Read More >
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, fellow snowmobiler and fellow military parent, was kind enough to autograph our team photo. |
