Doug Besherse
Kicking Bear Event - Saturday Part 2
By Doug Besherse
Jun 15, 2005, 06:07
 

After I ran out of candy for the candy shoot I went back to the camp, talking to the different groups along the way. It was getting close to noon at this point and there were several different people very busy getting things ready for lunch.

There was plenty of food and all of it was good. I did my part by sampling different things to make sure they were safe for consumption by the children. Sorta like a person who taste food for a king to make sure it isn’t poisoned. Now no one specifically ask me to do this, but some one has to do it, might as well be me right?

I noticed a guy who looked like he had 6 arms. He was cooking hamburgers so fast he looked like someone in a cartoon, his arms were going so fast it was a blur. I went over to give him some company and any help I could....hey they might need taste tested too, right?
His name was Aaron Minor. I came to find out that he was indeed human and only had two arms. He was a really nice guy and we had a good time talking about the event, hunting and kids.

Aaron and me at the cooker. From his look I'd say he's tired of me asking for another sample "just in case it is bad."

Frank holding court

Someone blew the fog horn which was the signal to come eat. The mentors by this point were for the most part exhausted and ready to come in. The kids on the other hand could have stayed out all day shooting the course.
Around 1:30 everyone gathered for the door prizes to be given away, but more importantly for Ray and others to say a few things to the kids.

The crowd waiting for Elvis to show...they had to settle for Ray

Ray talked about how he was mentored by a man when he was young. The man took him out 4 times and from just those 4 times Ray was hooked. This man changed Ray’s life and for that he was indebted to him. He told the kids that their life could be changed also, and that no matter what, they could be whatever they wanted to be if they just tried hard enough. He also told them that that no matter how bad the situation they could always count on God to be there for them. He told them that they could always talk to God.

Rod White talked to them about the first big archery tournament he entered. He came in 48th place out of 50 contestants (or something very close to that). He said that he looked around and had no one to blame but himself. He said that drove him. He practiced all the time and eventually was watched on T.V. by over 100 million people in the Olympics. He told the kids to never give up on their dreams, that his life story proved you can do anything you set your mind to do.

I talked to them a little about the patches I was wearing on my shirt. They were unit patches given to me by soldiers when I was in Iraq. I told them I wear the patches to honor the soldiers and as a reminder to all that freedom isn’t free. Freedom is and has been paid for by U.S. military personnel throughout history. I told them that today there are people dying so we can do this. I told them never to take their freedom for granted and to use it to their benefit. I told them that because they were born in America they were free to do anything they wanted.

Ray doing what he does best, helping kids

The next Kicking bear event is in Glenwood City WI, June the 17th and 18th.

To Ray and Karen, Thank You For Making The World A Better Place

To Rod, Frank, Aaron and Francis Thank You For Making The World A Better Place

To all the mentors, helpers and sponsors of Kickin’ Bear, Thank For Making The World A Better Place

While I am on the subject: To all the military out there, both active and retired, Thank You For Making The World A Better Place.

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