Posted on 04/04/2002 11:51:20 AM PST by AuntB
A Tribute to my friend Jeff Head, Free Republics Eagle Award-FREEPER OF THE YEAR
It had only been a few minutes earlier that I hugged blackie, Barb, GrandmaC, redrock and his precious family and headed north out of the narrow canyon, glancing in the rear view mirror at the tiny community of Jarbidge, Nevada. The sun was low in the west, bouncing glistening sparks off the tips of junipers and the winding creek that the narrow dirt road followed. It had been a long three days, my car, gear and my body was covered with a quarter inch of Nevada Dust. and I was distressed that I could not stay for the long anticipated events of the next day, July 4, 2000.
Redrock and the others had already cleared passage through the mountain of dirt and rock that the US Forest Service had dumped to block the S. Canyon Road, the only other road out of the isolated community besides the one I found myself navigating. A staging ground and campsite had been set up just over the border of Idaho and I could not resist stopping to meet any other Free Republic members who may have been there.
Remove from your imagination any notion of an organized camp ground. This was a big field donated by a local rancher for the gathering. I threw my vehicle into 4 wheel drive and started across the field, which was mostly ruts and foot tall grass. The first group informed me they thought some freepers were over that way. I prayed that I didnt run over an endangered field rat.
I encountered a group deep in conversation, a likely place for a bunch of freepers. After asking if any one there was with Free Republic, a charming man extended his hand, introducing himself as cc2k. Leaning against a bumper, with his back to me was a cowboy hat clad man who turned and said, Who are you? When he spoke, and I saw his face, I knew it was Jeff Head. Sometimes you meet a soul that you have known forever and you recognize him when you meet him. Then I was back on the road headed west for home for the 800 mile journey.
Jeff and the others finished clearing the South Canyon Road, moved the Liberty Rock, cleaned the outhouses on Independence day. I listened to the live radio reports and knew that all was well. Jarbidge was in good hands.
I never expected to see Jeff Head and my other new friends again. Once was privilege enough. And our work was done. Or so it seemed at the time. In April of 200l, the federal government cut irrigation water off to 1400 farmers in the Klamath Basin. Now, the battle was to be fought in my back yard and once again Free Republics incredible resources would be used. The Bucket Brigade was a successful milestone with nearly 20,000 attending in that small community. Many were from FreeRepublic.....MadameAxe, Robert Drobot, forester, Marsh2, Washington_Minuteman, Conservative and many more answered the call.
The residents of the basin were doing all they knew to do to restore some sanity to this process, but finally in desperation, some of them decided to let the water flow on July 13. We had a rally that day and I had already arrived home when late that night I got a phone call. It was Jeff Head. He was on his way to the head gates. The farmers were no longer alone.
I arrived in Klamath Falls about 6:00 a.m. the next morning after federal agents had surprised the dozen there trying to protect the water and were now standing armed guard to keep the farmers from obtaining their water. Though tired from the 14 hour drive all night long, Jeff greeted me with that wonderful smile, shaded by his weathered cowboy hat.
All the contributions Jeff made to the community of the Klamath Basin and others cannot be listed here. Until I met some of the fine, brave Americans like Jeff Head, who truly care about their fellow man, and the creatures of the earth as well. I would not have believed such good people existed. The last time Jeff and I met was the big rally at the Klamath County Fairgrounds in August. It had been an exhausting summer for us all. This time he brought his son Jared, who was a delight. These children dont have to be concerned with not having a good role model and are proud of this Western gentleman they call Dad. I situated myself at the front of the building with signs to locate the other freepers soon to arrive. And arrive they did . in numbers.....nunya bidness, amom, Bump in the night, clamper1797, 68-69TonkinGuilfYatchClub and more. Someone asked me if Jeff was there and I told them, hes down on the bottom level with some other people. Look for a cowboy hat with a braided leather hat band.....oh,nevermind, youll know him when you see him!. And they did.
Sometimes, when we are in trouble, good people show up to help. Next time you find yourself in one of those situations, look around. My friend Jeff will be up front
HELPING. I cant begin to explain it, but youll know him when you see him.
I'm unable to be around much lately. I miss you all.
Thank you seems so inadequate.....but thank you Jim Robinson!! The Republic lives!
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
Jeff, congratulations! Your award is well deserved. Thanks for everything you do. :-)
PRESS RELEASE
RESTORE THE SPIRIT!!
Contact: Ric Costales, People for the USA at 530-468-2698 or Holly Swanson, Event Coordinator at 541-830-1446
Restore the Spirit ROCKS!
Restore the Spirit of America presents Country Music Superstar Joe Diffie in concert, Saturday, April 13th at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Diffie will perform at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets are $25.00 in advance, $30.00 at the door. * Rising country star Jason Johnston will open for Diffie.
Leading personalities from across the nation will be in Medford to help rekindle the American spirit, raise public awareness about the worldwide green agenda and dispel the myths perpetuated by the environmental movement. Featured speakers include:
Dr. Patrick Moore, founder and former Director of Greenpeace, who has since become an internationally recognized and outspoken opponent of environmental extremism.
Helen Chenoweth-Hage, former Congressman from Idaho, who distinguished herself as one of the most articulate and effective spokesmen for principled government.
Holly Swanson, author, known for exposing the green movements political agenda and getting environmental extremism out of Americas schools.
Special Appearances by other leading figures, including rancher Wayne Hage.
Exposition Festivities will include:
- National Restore the Spirit of America Award presentations
- Informative workshops, including a State of the Salmon update by James Buchal
- Entertainment by Sons of the Oregon Trail and the Wade Black Band
- Jackson County Cattlemens BBQ
- Exhibits and much, much more
- Admission to the exposition part of the event is free
The theme, Restore the Spirit of America, reflects the deep respect participating organizations have for the freedoms and ideals on which this nation was built. The principles of liberty, justice and self-government are as much an inspiration today as when the Founders penned the Constitution. And now, as then, these are the keys to achieving sound management of our natural resources. This event is sponsored by a broad coalition of citizens groups working for responsible natural resource policies from sound science and multiple use of public lands to private property rights.
People for the USA (PFUSA) ============== Home Page at: http://www.pfusa.org
Patriot is the appropriate word here.
May I be so fortunate to meet both of you one day. (In person)
5.56mm
Thanks to you for the first alert of the attempted Rural Cleansing of the Kalmath Basin Farmers and Ranchers and their families. Thanks for your patient education of Freepers like me who had no idea about the water, who paid for and the history of this water and the farmers/ranchers.
The turning point was the small pipe put in by the locals and Jeff on that dark 4th of July weekend, when all appeared be lost. Something happened and the process to reverse the Enviro Nazis Rural cleansing started.
Thanks to Jim Robinson for allowing us to make this a page one event/situation on Free Republic. Thanks to Jeff and you for being there for the rest of us!
I was trying to explain all of this to a younger conservative friend on the fringes of understanding it. He asked why it was so important.
I told him that this was like the first bombing raid over Tokyo in the early dark days of WWII. The actual damage done to the enemy was not that great, but it showed America that the enemy could be hurt and it was our first and needed victory.
The farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin not being rurally cleansed and having water this year is our first and needed victory against the enviral nazis! It shows us that they can be beaten.
John, this ping is for you to please put this thread on your ping list.
5.56mm
Congrats to the man in the Stetson
Thanks for this article AuntB. You're the best.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.