Posted on 01/17/2005 11:21:18 PM PST by fire_eye
Moreover, no one in the world has ever inspired the kind of fear - and even respect, inasmuch as they're capable of it - among the gun-grabbers. as did Neal.
This is a terrific loss for us. The gun-grabbing Left would have to lose McCain, McKelvey, Sarah Brady, Chuck Schumer, George Soros, and Diane Fiendswine all at once, to even begin to approach what losing Neal Knox means to gun owners.
We have lost a genuine champion for gun rights. God bless him and his family.
Neal left the following letter:
From the Desk of
Neal Knox
The Firearms Coalition
PO Box 3313
Manassas, VA 20108
5 January 2005
Dear Friends,
I’ve always made it a point to deliver the news to you straight – good or bad. Now I’m afraid I have some unpleasant news. As you’re aware, I have been fighting colon cancer for the past year. The doctors tell me that my fight is almost over.
I believe in miracles. I believe in God’s healing power and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I know it will take nothing short of a miracle for me to win this battle.
Should that miracle be granted, I will rejoice; but I rejoice nonetheless, for I’ve been blessed with a wonderful life, a great family, work that I love, and many wonderful friends. Most of all, I thank God for my long-suffering wife Jay Janen who not only put up with me, but has actively supported my efforts for the Second Amendment for nearly forty-nine years.
It’s been a great run!
I had always assumed that long life was my birthright. My father passed away just this past fall at the age of ninety-two.
I counted on the same sort of life-span and was planning accordingly. We’ve barely settled into that house in the country that I’ve been promising Jay for so long. I started rebuilding her classic Mustang convertible and have it in pieces in the basement garage. I’ve laid out a 100- yard range next to the house, and was looking forward to having my dear friend Ken Oehler help me set up a ballistics lab in the basement.
Time for those projects was budgeted into the next generation of the Firearms Coalition. The plan was to have sons, Chris and Jeff take more prominent roles in the fight, freeing me up to do other things like shooting and writing books. Jeff moved out here for that purpose over a year ago but my illness sidetracked those plans.
I have long wanted to evolve the Firearms Coalition into a resource for grassroots activists and organizations. The goals of the Coalition would be to provide activists with the resources, training, and technology they need to be more effective in the fight.
Now, I hope you will help Jay and the boys as it looks like they will be taking on this important task without me.
There will be more details in the weeks and months to come, including a new book that Chris, Jeff and I have been collaborating on. I regret that I am unlikely to see it in print, but I am confident in their ability to see it through.
I am thankful for you and the many other friends that have blessed my life making me a truly wealthy man. There have been disagreements, even fights, but the goal of freedom has been a unifying force.
I ask your prayers, both for me and for my family, especially for Jay who never expected to see me go first.
I urge you to continue the fight. Continue your support of the ongoing efforts of the Firearms Coalition and keep the grass roots growing.
Thank you for keeping me in the fight for all these years.
As always: Yours for the Second Amendment,
Neal
*Ping*... for the loss of a real warrior.
What a lovely and poignant goodbye letter. And what big shoes to fill. Farewell and God bless.
bump
May Jesus Christ accept this fine mans soul for all time and eternity. He won the battle.
I just found two other threads on which this has already been announced - after searching the archives for "Knox", and not finding anything.
My apologies, anyway...
ping...
Yes, he did win the battle by being him. May God Bless him and his family.
We will miss Neal greatly...it was an honor to know him and his family.....
2A bump.
Thank you and Good Bye Mr. Knox. Enjoyed reading your articles and am praying for your family.
Godspeed to you, Neal, you, along with Jeff Cooper, have been my favorite authors and sages for our firearms rights. Prayers to you and your family. We lost a warrior here but we must step up and continue the fight although we have some big shoes to fill.
Should that miracle be granted, I will rejoice; but I rejoice nonetheless, for I’ve been blessed with a wonderful life, a great family, work that I love, and many wonderful friends. Most of all, I thank God for my long-suffering wife Jay Janen who not only put up with me, but has actively supported my efforts for the Second Amendment for nearly forty-nine years.
Americans lost a real fighter for our right to defend our families from terrorists as well as our 2nd amendment rights...
Thank you for posting this. May God rest his soul in peace. And may He comfort and strengthen the family. And may God keep America truly free:
US CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
You've got to believe that Neal must be having a heck of a time in heaven getting caught up with the Founding Fathers...
May the soul of this faithful departed rest in peace.
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