TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums - 5th Annual Sitka Jacket Giveway for our Military

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5th Annual Sitka Jacket Giveway for our Military

To nominate someone simply comment their name or username below. You can nominate yourself, other members and non-members. Veterans and current military men and women.

Robert Waldrep (Papa to me and his many grandchildren) was a member of the 99th infantry in WW2. He fought in Belgium and slowly made his way to Germany across the Ludendorff Bridge at the town of Remagen. The bridge was blown to pieces shortly after he led his group of men across. Although short in stature, he was full of bravery and integrity to which I had the blessing of him passing on these lessons and stories from his experiences fighting for my freedom. He was the recipient of 2 purple hearts and 2 bronze stars.

Three years ago, I had the amazing experience of being able to step foot in these amazing places that I had heard countless stories of from my war time bedtime stories with papa. I saw the Ardennes forest where he was shot in the shoulder. With the heavy snowfall, the GI’s stuck out like a sore thumb with their earth toned gear. Papa crawled to a fence. There he saw men gunned downed in efforts to reach him. In his story, he said that his captain was making his way to him. Papa was motioning him to get down as an enemy sniper had been picking off American soldiers in the snow. Unfortunately, the captain was shot right in front of my grandpa. The crawl back to the American camp was long and cold, and upon making it there Papa found out that almost his whole company was missing or KIA.
As a kid, Papa and I would run across the “Remagan Bridge” which just happened to be in San Angelo, Tx, or so that’s what I was told. I never realized the feat that he had accomplished until I was face to face with the bridge itself. The bridge of course is no longer in place but the guard towers are. From a strategic setting, the German positions on the bridge had the upper hand. With a large cliff overlooking the bridge, Germans had a clear view of GI’s crossing the bridge. I was able to see what Papa saw just before he led his troops across that bridge while picking up MRE’s and ammo off of his dead soldiers.

The winter of 1944 and 1945 was one of the coldest ever in Belgium. Papa spent over a month living in a fox hole on a north facing ridge facing German artillery fire. Fires were not allowed and cold weather gear was scarce yet these brave men pulled through. I found this exact ridge in between what is called “The twin sisters” which is two close villages in Belgium. The area is now a military compound area, but luckily the fence had some holes so I was able to sneak in. No one was present in the compound that day as I snuck around the woods. What I found I will never forget. In the woods there were large holes, about two feet deep spread out for a couple hundred yards. Old foxholes used by my grandpa and his band of brothers.

Through the cold and the snow, Papa always talked about how a pair of wool socks that his mom had sent him was the difference between him succumbing to the elements and just barely getting by. He always wanted to hear about my adventures in the mountains and my hunting stories to which I always told him down to the exact detail of what all I had done.
Because of his sacrifice he made to this country, and the many other men and women who have sacrificed everything, I found the idea to keep a soldier warm while he was out in the woods chasing after deer, elk, or whatever his quarry was that day.

Papa taught me how to be a man of character, integrity, when to have patience, and when to stand up for what you believe in. When I am guiding a client or am on hunt myself, I think about him often.

Comment below your name, or someone else who has served or is currently serving in the military. You can post as many names as you want.

The giveaway will be open until December 7 at 11:59pm.

I have been blessed with guys in the past donating items or purchasing another jacket to giveaway to a military member. If you would like to help in any form, send a PM my way.

I was able to give 2 jackets away last year so my challenge to the green screen is to make that 3 jackets this year!

Once again, thank you to all of our veterans and current military members. We will never know the fear you have faced and will never be able to repay you for what you have sacrificed. Thank you!

Jason Dickens

end of the work day bump

Great gesture!

I'll throw my name in! AZST_bowhunter
US Navy 2008-2012.

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I'll throw in a marine, tbhr, and my thru thick and thin best friend;

Justin Stamps or jstamps50 on here

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Awesome story about a great man!

I’ll throw my name in Sir
Txmuleyman- Scott Perkins USMC 2001-2005

That’s a great story and an awesome gesture Jason!!!!

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God bless you for continuing to do this in his honor.

I’ll nominate Doug Youngblood, screen name: Youngblood

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Morning hunt bump

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Ill nominate my brother, Major Robert Mathewson, Air Force; Active Duty.

Throwing my dad in here. Gary Gray USMC Vietnam vet

I love seeing this thread every year.

Cpl. Kenneth Morris, USMC

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Justin Henry USAF Active Duty. E7

I’ll throw my name in the hat, that jacket would be of great use here. Eric Winter, US Army Active. August 1998-current

John Iacoponelli USMC

Afternoon hunt bump

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Allen Preusse. Army. This is a great gesture. Thanks for doing this.

Night bump

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Morning bump

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Midday bump

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I’ll throw my name in DavidH44, USMC. Thanks

Clint Minchew. USMC

Bobby Minchew. USMC

Afternoon bump

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I add my name - Charlie Michalik 89-91 US Army 82nd Airborne
screen name - marlin man

I'll add my sons name - Hunter Michalik US Army 2014-2018

Add myself, Rick Earle, Army 1st Infantry 71-72
Gladesgator

I appreciate this gesture you show each year. I'll throw my hat in, kry226, U.S. Army, 1995 to present.

Sargent C. Czaplicki US Army (Uncle Saggy)

Awesome gesture!!

R. Varner- Active Army 2006-2017, National Guard 2017-present (7x OIF/OEF)

I'm in !!
Jerry Kocian - jfk47 on tbh. Uncle Sam's canoe club (US Navy) 1967-1973. Vietnam Vet.

I'd like to add myself. J. Reid - Active duty USCG

Jlptexashunter
usaf 1983-1989

My uncle Cecil Norwood, served from 7/20/1967-5/29/1969. Was retired (disabled) in 1970. Recieved Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V ,for valor.He was a Specilist/4 in the artillary , and was a r.t.o/forward observer. He was with 1/27 artillary hhb in Dau Tieng on the Cambodian border. He made it for 9mos. and 28 days in Viet Nam. He was with the 25th Infantry Div.

My brother - Colonel Cliff Bailey USAF active duty

My brother
David Davila
Iraq War Veteran

I'm in, and will list my wife as well. Awesome gesture man, thank you!

Chad Arnold - USMC 2012-2017
Ecko Arnold - USMC 2014-2018

Afternoon hunt bump

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Night bump

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Great gesture!
Killbirds- Blake Butler
OIF 03’ Redleg 2-5FABN 01’-05’

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Awesome!
I don’t usually throw my name into these giveaways, but I will this time.
Air Force Medic June 1982 - July 2008

Thanks for doing this!!

Marshall Cochran aka Warpig

Army 2018-current

Roy Wolff--Oleman on here.

USAF 1957--1977 Vet
Bay of Pigs
Cuba Crisis
Viet Nam

Thank you sir, I’d like to enter. 03GruntUSMC
USMC Veteran

Thank you. I'll throw my name in: charrell71
US Navy 1989-1993 Desert Storm.

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Had the honor of receiving a jacket from this drawing last year, your grandpa was a true hero. I’m not putting in for this year. Thanks again to you and your family

Speedgoat Matt Bryan.