PACKOUT '08 IS DONE!!!

March 8, 2008 --  Another year of work is done!  All in all, five years.  Over 25,000 shirts off the backs of hometown heroes across North America sent to our deployed troops around the globe.

I've spent the last couple days ... Between naps and exhaustion ... Editing photos that were downloaded at the PackOut.  Ya know, there were a lot of cameras out there!  And some very talented photogs were using them. 

This post will likely be broken into several entries.  This first post will show you photos from the set up on Friday March 7th.

Included will be pictures of the opening ceremonies,  & presentations on March 8th, at the PackOut.  It might be best to break these up so you have an easier time finding the photos you're wanting.

Heeeere we go ...

The PackOut plans begin shortly after the annual tour, but little is done beyond the talking stage.  We all have big ideas, and grand prizes in mind.   Then the real world creeps back in and this small band of volunteers gets overwhelmed trying to get everything done.  Inevitably we come to the understanding that we will do all we can to make it rock, and then agree that whatever happens -- good or bad -- we planned it that way.

 

To the sound of bagpipes courtesy of Tacoma Fire Department Pipers, we opened PackOut '08 with a great Hero Color Guard, which for the first time, included a Canadian representative.  (Thank you Denis Letellier for getting that arranged for us.)  Cpt Bruce Derbyshire was the perfect representative for Canada.  He looked sharp, and had a ready smile for all who approached him.

 

Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard Commander & HeroToHero.US Ambassador, Karen Leming was acting commander of our Color guard, and deserves a lot of credit for all she has done to make all of the Hero Color Guards special ... But this one rocked!

 

This Color Guard was about as good as it gets.  These folks had so little practice ahead of time, that it spoke to their separate skills that they were able to pull this off so well.  Seeing the combined uniforms of firefighters, police, and various branches of the military, was inspiring.  As the color guard posted their colors and stood facing the crowd, the angelic voice of soloist Elaine Patterson rose above all of us.  She not only sang our National Anthem, but honoring our Canadian partners, she learned O' Canada.  And she did it so well that we have received several calls asking about her availability for others.  It was a perfect blend!

 

As the Color Guard left the floor, the 2 Washington State Patrol remained behind, and did a rifle drill demo for us all.  All eyes were on them, what a great start.  By the way, the WSP is the Best Dressed in the Country!  Making us proud!

 

And then it all began.

 

We introduced the Core Team, Chani & Larry Kaibetoney, Leta Kaibetony, Matt & Nikki Estabrook.  And the rest of our teams, including: Shannon Spencer, Tara Buel, Juli Nowak, Mansoo Masga, Karen Leming, JJ Stewart, Aaron Leming, & Kelly Averbeck.

 

Even past member Kathy Green came up from California for our final PackOut.

 

But we had special guests this time.  We had our Canadian Ambassador,  Sarnia, Ontario firefighter, Kevin McHarg & his fantastic wife, Sue, join us for the first time.  They were a perfect addition to the crews, and made the entire event all the better.  We shared so much laughter with them during their visit, and got to share the reasons we love Washington.  For the record, the first part of their visit, there was no rain!  We're giving them credit for the great weather we had for the PackOut -- Of course back home for them, it was snowing!  ( ;

 

We presented Kevin his team bag, made by Jensen Lee.  We filled it with items that represented for the Puget Sound and Fort Lewis & McChord AFB.  Of course we added some Space Noodles, Slug Butter, and other goodies for them to share.  The bag turned out perfectly, as always.  (And soon, you will be able to get your our official HeroToHero.US Team Bag online!)  HUGE kudos to Jim Officer and the folks at Jensen Lee Bags.

 

There were presentations and honors throughout the day.  So many people to say thank you to, for all of their support.

 

But first we had two coins to release ... The Matthew Luke coin & the Shane Wyrsch coin.

 

LCpl Matthew Luke is the first wounded Marine honored by HeroToHero.US  And it was an honor to have him, his brother, Devin, and all of their family join us.  The Luke coin was nominated by the Tillamook Fire Department to honor their own.  We surprised them by adding Devin to the coin.  Devin is also a USMC LCpl, who was deployed with Matt when he was injured.  What a gracious family.  We want to thank them for being there, it certainly made an impact when the coin was unveiled.

 

Immediately following, we honored Fallen Forestry Officer Shane Wyrsch, who was killed a year ago, by a drunk driver.  Shane's widow, Zoe, was with us, and brought their two handsome young sons for the unveiling of the coin.  Shane's coin was nominated by Lloyd Stading, who worked diligently with us to make sure this one was just right.  There is no doubt how much Shane was (and is) loved and respected.  We were proud to have done this for the Wyrsch family.

 

Another very special guest was there to represent veterans past.  World War II, P-51 fighter pilot, retired Colonel Ted Bullock graciously accepted our invitation to call for the Moment of Silence, and share some of his great memories with the young troops.  He is an amazing man, and is married to the very lovely Evelyn.  We were honored to have them both with us for the final PackOut.  Thank you for adding such a special aspect to our event!

 

During the Moment of Silence, the military members of the Hero Color Guard reformed to do the folding of the American flag.  There was not a sound, and all eyes were on the four person crew who did this ceremony to perfection.

 

But there were some watery eyes when the folded flag was then brought on to the stage and presented to our favorite Chaplain, Tacoma Fire Department's Wilby Casey.  His eyes widened, and the look of shock on his face said it all.  This man who has stood with and for us, over the past five years, never expected any honor.  Andyet, when the question arose as to whom the flag should be presented, the response was unanimous -- it had to be Wilby!

 

Now while all of the was flowing smoothly, shirts were being signed all around the armory.  It was a busy event, and there were 5,000 shirts that had to get signed, processed, and packed.

 

So, have we convinced you that it was all going without a hitch?  Hehe.  Not so quick.  If you've ever done an event with us, you know that we have a traditional saying ... "Whatever happens.  We planned it that way"  Doesn't matter is a meteor hits the building -- we planned it.  So when our very special guest ran into some road blocks ... Well, ummm.  You know let's make that our next post.  You don't meet Mama Rose in just a paragraph!

 

Stay tuned ...

REMEMBER to ENLARGE before cutting and pasting.  Just click on the "View Larger" button above the photos if you are searching for photos you want.  OR ... If you find a specific photo, double-click it and it will enlarge.  Then cut & paste.

These photos were taken by various people at the PackOut, to include Andrew Mitchell, Tara & Dustin Buel, Larry Kaibetoney, Brad Jackson, Suzanne Allen, Kathy Green, Teresa Moffett, and more.  We thank them all for documenting the best ever PackOut!

Enjoy the pix ...

lj