A special announcement

[.ghoti.]

A few years ago, I started a project to build rods for members with military service. We built a few with member donations. And then the idea just stalled.

 

Glenn suggested we should start this up again, so we did. Glenn reached out to Batson Enterprises to see if they wanted to be a part of this, and they graciously agreed to donate everything needed to build four rods, to get us up and running. They deserve a huge round of applause for supporting this project.  Special thanks goes to Bill Batson, and his entire crew for their generosity. 

 

I contacted some guys about building rods, and got Scott Hovanec, Mike Lawson(DVT), Ronnie Van Huss(Alpster) to join me. We built four rods using Rainshadow Immortal blanks, and components from Batson Enterprises. Another special round of applause to Scott, Mike and Ronnie for joining me in this project. Many thanks gentlemen.

 

We have started shipping these first rods, and they should be arriving soon at the doorsteps of the first four BassResource members who have past or current military service on their resumes. I expect to see posts from four surprised BR members in the near future. They do not know what's coming their way. I've seen some pics. There are some fine lookin sticks going out.

 

Now, this time, I would like to keep this going. I told Glenn I would build as many as we could raise money for. I am asking for any and all BassResource members to consider making a donation, so we can keep this going. It doesn't need to be a big donation. A few bucks from a bunch of members will go a long way, if we all get together. Roadwarrior agreed to be the "bank" last time we did this. I'm hoping he will do it again. Hint, hint, Brother Kent!

 

There are alot of BassResource members who either have served, or are currently serving. Let's come together, and say thanks this way.

 

They certainly deserve it, don't you think?

 

Edit: just heard from Scott. I received an Immortal blank. Scott got a Revelation blank. Dont know what Ronnie and got. Sorry for the confusion. I assumed since I had an Immortal, they would all be that. You would think at my age i would not assume anything!

 

-------------------------

 

Here's how YOU can be a part of this great project! 

 

 

[A-Jay]

I like the idea & the sentiment behind it.

Please let me know how we can donate.

A-Jay

[lonnie g]

applause to you ghoti! even tho  i never served, i have the greatest  respect for all whom are or have. great idea! let us know how to help . it would be an honor.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

I like the idea & the sentiment behind it.

Please let me know how we can donate.

A-Jay

 

Let me know

[ScottDB]

Will be checking for an update to see how I can donate! I like this a lot.

[Hooligan]

Dig it.  I'm in.

[Deleted account]

Thank you so much for thinking of, and acting on behalf of our brave men and women of our armed forces. I can't tell you how much these actions mean to us. Sure the goodies are great, but more importantly, knowing that people are thinking of us and appreciate our efforts, makes us proud, motivates us, and lift our spirits, often when we need it most. As a personal note, we received an unsolicited priority box full of Christmas decorations from a group in Michigan while on deployment to Africa, which made being away from our families just a little easier for our shop.

[crypt]

I'm in....................son is currently active duty. let me know where to give. thanks.

[roadwarrior]

I will be the banker. You can participate by check or PayPal. Send me a PM and I will send

you  my mailing address, cell phone number and PayPal information. I will also start a thread

acknowledging donors unless you wish to be anonymous.  I will not be posting the amount donated,

so whatever you would like to contribute is GREATLY appreciated.

 

-Kent

[S Hovanec]

I think this topic should be pinned so it doesn't drop off the page.

[.ghoti.]

31 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I will be the banker. You can participate by check or PayPal. Send me a PM and I will send

you  my mailing address, cell phone number and PayPal information. I will also start a thread

acknowledging donors unless you wish to be anonymous.  I will not be posting the amount donated,

so whatever you would like to contribute is GREATLY appreciated.

 

-Kent

Thank you, brother. Just for that I will bring a special bottle of manly spirits next month when we hit the White River. A 21yr old single malt sounds about right, eh?

1 minute ago, S Hovanec said:

I think this topic should be pinned so it doesn't drop off the page.

I think you are correct, sir.

[NHBull]

Awesome, and looking forward on how to donate

 

Semper-Fi

[.ghoti.]

11 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Awesome, and looking forward on how to donate

 

Semper-Fi

Look about four posts up, and you will find out how.

[Glenn]

I want to salute the the 4 warriors honored with these rods, and the members who built their rods:

 

Warrior               Branch                Builder

Sam                    Army                  S Hovanac

AJ                       Coast Guard        Alpster

Clayton86            National Guard    Ghoti

Oregon Native      Navy                  Mike (Delaware Valley Tackle DVT)

 

 

I can't tell you how proud I am of these folks - both who served, and who took the time to build the rods. SALUTE!

 

And again, many MANY thanks to Batson Enterprises for donating all the rod components for all the rods!

 

Y'all are too awesome for words.

[J Francho]

Congrats and thank you to all!

[S Hovanec]

I've been sitting on these pics for a couple weeks because I couldn't post them til the project was announced. Since my forte is cork and reel seats, I declined the pre-fab grips and did my own thing.

 

Please excuse all the fuzz on the rod.  The microfiber towel I wiped it with seemed to deposit more dust than it removed!

 

Butt cap with Army insignia inlay.

 

I wanted to do more with the grip but a technique I have been experimenting with wasn't working out .

 

 

The reel seat hardware provided wouldn't work with my plans of using acrylic, so I substituted in Fuji SK2 hardware.

 

 

I had a bit of scrap left from the reel seat, so I turned a matching winding check.

 

 

Slogan decal provided by Batson.

 

Personalized decal by Decal Connection.

 

 

Alps guides provided by Batson.

 

 

 

[Lucky Craft Man]

This is Awesome!!!  Great way to honor some of the people who protect us and keep us free.

 

Scott, that is INCREDIBLE (as always).  I hope the other guys post pictures of their rods as well.  I love looking at custom work.

[XpressJeff]

Roadwarrior, Please send me the address for donations sir!

 

GREAT idea!

[A-Jay]

After landing a new home state smallie PB earlier today, I didn’t think my day could really get any better, but it did.  Big Time !  

 There, sitting on my stoop, was the unmistakable white pvc tube that can really only be one thing – A new rod. 

“ I didn’t order a rod ?” I said out loud as I pulled in the drive. . . . . .

Thank you Glenn & Bass Resource and obviously a very special “Well Done” is in order for @Alpster for a truly quality and ‘made for me’ custom build and one of a kind rod. Please know – you made this Retired Coast Guardsman very happy.

 I don’t talk about my Coast Guard career much on the forum, but truth be told, everything I have & everything I am as a Man, I owe to that service.  It literally saved me.  As a younger human I had made some poor decisions that were leading me in the wrong direction.   The best thing I ever did was take the oath of enlistment and commit myself to the cause. 

The journey lasted over 28 years.  Crazy how it flew by and much of it now seems like a dream.  All my assignments were up & down the east coast from Maine to South Carolina; each saw me conducting & or planning Search & Rescue,  participating in Federal Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement, Migrant interdiction, even did 2 tours as a Drill Instructor – which was demanding & very rewarding.  Saved some people, caught some bad guys & worked alongside and learned from some of the most honorable, committed & dedicated humans I could have ever imagined;   even managed to have some fun along the way.    All the while I had the distinct honor of having the privilege of making the sacrifice to serve this great country.  I’d do it all over again in one second.   

  I am very proud of my service and having such a wide array of assignments is in line with the Coast Guard’s motto of Semper Paratus – meaning Always Ready.  It’s a tough thing to do – being always ready.   But even now, that phase is something I live by and still strive for every day.  That fact that you chose to inscribe this on my rod means more to me than you will ever know.  I get choked up just typing that. 

So THANK YOU One & ALL – This high speed Rain Shadow Blank, with it’s very Killer reel seat & split grip will no doubt be my New Jig Rod.  

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

[jbw252]

Wow - great job to all involved.  And a big thanks to all who served.

[clayton86]

I reveived my rod last night, I was told it showed up Friday however I was away at paddlefest. I didn't even know it was there or in its way I happened to be walking to the bedroom after a long day and seen the tube leaning in he corner and knew it was a rod. 

 

I knew .ghoti. Had mentioned and sent me some baits in the past saying they were from sponsors as a thank you to our vets and that another package was on it's way. I was not however expecting this custom rod. I was completely speechless. 

 

I took some pictures last night but they don't do it any justice I'll post some tonight after work with a little more detail and some words worked up because I'm still in shock and I thank you everyone. 

[XpressJeff]

A well deserved CONGRATULATIONS to the deserving recipients!

 

Freedom is NOT free, and thank you for your sacrifices!

 

 

 

[Hez]

Awesome guys!  Congratulations, and thank you for your service.  

 

Great job to the ones who facilitated this impressive gesture of gratuity.  

 

This is one of the things that makes this organization special.

[Al Perry]

What a great idea !!! Thanks for those helping out with this project...Our bass club, Anglers of Christ, had our 7th Annual "HOT" Tournament last weekend and raised over $1100 to help out those that have served our country or still serving the USA...By the way HOT = Helping Our Troops...Opelousas Lighthouse Mission was the recipient of this years monies.

 

So, how do we go about making a donation ???

[jbw252]

15 minutes ago, Al Perry said:

So, how do we go about making a donation ???

Check the ninth post in this thread.  PM @roadwarrior for his Paypal address.