Ok, After additional investigating, It has become apparent that this candidate inwhich we were going to build these rods for is NOT going to work out. After researching for most of the day with some help from a fellow RBO member, It has become known to us through DOD records and Several different agencies and sites that report Veterans that intentionally misrepresent themselves as being POW's for one reason or another, this man, John Powell has on numerous occasions represented himself as being a POW at the Zoo in Vietnam from 69 through 72 when infact he was an aircraft mechanic who never was a POW at the zoo or anywhere else. I do feel that as a veteran who is disabled due to a stroke he would normally be a great candidate to build a rod for...POW or not...but since he has intentionally lied to others of his POW status, I would say we need to move onto a different canidate.

We have come up with a group of RBO members who will be chairing a committee. This committee will be working with Paralyzed Veterans Of America Heritage Foundation. This is a group of over 21,000 members who are veterans with a disability who also have a love for the outdoors. Tomorrow I have a phone meeting with Mike Delanney from this org. and he will be supplying with canidates who are disabled vets who love to fish who financially wouldn't be able to afford a $500 Custom Rod. if they were to want one. These will be pre screened candidates for this project and he will also supply us with DD214's that give us info on a candidates branch of service, Unit, Years served, Locations stationed, as well as citations received. Based on this info we will be able to custom build a rod that honors a candidates specific service in a personalized way

Tom has given this project his blessing and agreed to supply a table at next years rod show to show past project photos and recruit additional builders to help with the project.

The committee formed to select candidates is
Big John (Texas)
Ray Krebs (Virginia)
Ray Adams ( California)
Jeff Harding (S.D.)
Mick McComesky (Missouri)

Geographically this represents the US pretty well and all of these members have ties with local VA offices, Etc. The purpose of this committee again, is just to work through the selection and coordination of each project. Once a candidate is selected...(About every six weeks or so) the committee will bring all the info on that canidate to the RBO forum and post all the details in a topic. All of the Builders here at RBO are welcome to volunteer in the building and contributing to make that project possible. Posts on that topic can be used to plan what type and design the rod will have etc.

We have had emails from several sponsors and individuals on this project offering blanks, cork, components, reels, tackle, etc. The resources needed to make this whole project work are definately there and sounds as if they will continue to be. There are dozens of builders anxious to help out too. With an Organization like PVA providing us with screened candidates that fit what we are looking for...and a committee to help steer the process through selection and organize the build, I think this thing is gonna be huge...I cant wait to get started.

Again I apologize for the whole mishap with this previous canidate, but after extensive research, I have to admit I was duped. With this committee and new plan for future projects, this should not happen again.

Thanks so much,
Jeff Harding

I have a phone conference with Paralyzed Veterans Tomorrow and should have our first canidate by next week after bringing leads to the committee.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2006 07:18PM by Jeff Harding.

Jeff,
You may have been mislead by one person but in my mind that does not mean that the whole program is not a great idea and that there are not a lot of veterans out there that we should be showing our appreciation to for covering our back sides at a very high cost to themselves. And frankly I do not care if they were injured in WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Desert Storm or wherever. In fact, I do not even care much how they were injured. They could have fallen out of bed in a house of ill repute and hurt their back and I would still like to help you with your efforts to get a rod to them.

By the way, I think that it is a classy thing that Tom is doing as well providing a table at the High Point show for you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2006 08:05PM by Emory Harry.

Keep your head up, Jeff. You've done the right thing all the way. Just keep shoving on, it'll all come out well in the end. The whole idea is very commendable.

Putter
Williston, ND

Amen!

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

Just a bump in the road!! Still with you all the way on this!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Thanks for your support guys....I just learned of a double amputee, 23 yrs old who lost his legs rolling over a pressure plate mine in Fallujah...and he loves to fish....After some thorough research I will bring it to the committee and get back to you. I would imagine it would be hard to fake an injury of this nature and with this happening in the last two years there should be ample documentation on this canidate.
Jeff

Keep it up Jeff..............

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

I received this email from Jim Ellis from Crystal Lake MN...Jim is a fellow RBO guy who is just getting going building rods and I want to thank him for referring this candidate to us. I have to tell you all this individual is from Mankato MN and that is only about 2 hrs away from me. I have been following his story in the news and the papers and this is also a very legit candidate.

((((Jeff,
Keep up the good work for veterans. I am a veteran myself. I just thought you might want the name of a very deserving veteran who just got hurt in Iraq. Spc Jason McNamara from Mankato, Minnesota just got both legs shattered. He is in Walter Reed medical center at this time. he will have several months of rehab. I am helping with a small benefit here next weekend. A nice rod would probably bring his spirits up some. Just a thought. I can forward you more info if you would like. Jason is in ward 57 at Walter Reed. I am also a beginner rod builder.
Where are you from in S.D.?
Jim Ellis
Lake Crystal, MN. 56055 ))))


I will be following up on Jason and with Jim's help will verify this candidate with the committee.

Possibly may do both projects ASAP if the interest and offers are still on the table to help. Thanks much!!!, Jeff

Sorry I'm late getting in on this post but I,ve been tied up this week. I am a life member of DAV and I get my care at the V.A. in Tuscaloosa Alabama. I live in north Mississippi and please add my name to help in any way I can.