D-Day + 66 Years

Like the other baby boomers 'The Greatest Generation' was not a rem0te and mysterious concept for me. These were the folks, men and women who raised us. They were our parents and grandparents but also our aunts and uncles, even cousins and older brothers. They were our teachers, police and grocers. They were everywhere.

Today my thoughts are of the men I've had the privilege of knowing who took part in D-Day 66 years ago today. They would be the first to point out everyone, in and out of the service, contributed where ever they were.

These were ordinary folks, uprooted from their lives, who faced the dragon of the 20th. Century and met it head on. Afterwards they buried their dead, healed their wounded and returned to their lives.

I thought they would last forever, but I only have to look at the guy with gray hair in the mirror to understand no one does.

Embrace the World War Two vets we still have with us, and say a prayer for those who have gone to their rewards.

Remembering

Today I was asked to tell the story of James Coryell as part of the Marlin, Texas Memoral Day ceromony. If the name sounds fimular, it should.

At the age of 18 James Coryell left his home in Ohio and made his way to Texas. The year was 1821. Coryell's name appears all through the story of Texas for the next 16 years.

He traveled with Jim Bowie to look for the San Saba silver mines. During this expedition it is believed he was wounded by Indains in what is known as The 13 Hour Fight.

After the fall of the Alamo Coryell helped evacuate settlers from the path of the Mexican Army during the heartbreaking episode known as the Runaway Scrape. You won't read many accounts written by American settlers that Santa Anna's troops caught up with.

Coryell was a member of Capt. Sterling C. Robertson's ranging company in the spring and summer of 1836. In the fall of the same year he transfered to Capt. Thomas H. Barron's company. These early Texas Rangers traveled where they were needed and spent most of their time in the field rather than barracks.

While camped at Sarahville, near present day Marlin, Texas, Coryell and three companions located and raided a bee tree. They had cut it down and were in the process removing the honey when they were attacked by a band of Indians. Coryell was killed by the first shot.

James Coryell's body was recovered by his companions and buried near where he fell. In time the area was taken over by the James Plantation. The location of the grave was lost in time, but the slave cemetery was in the same general area and they knew he was there.

It was almost 173 years exactly from the day Coryell was killed that a grave matching the description (and in the right area) was discovered while brush was being cleared for a new fence around the old slave cemetery. Is it the long lost grave of James Coryell? It's too soon to tell. But whoever rest there, they are now found and can be remembered.

At the Marlin Courthouse we have a tradition of ringing the bell to honor fallen heroes. This year I started off by ringing the bell for James Coryell. Then I rang the bell for Richard Penny, a United States Marine who fell in Afghanistan early in May of this year. It is a sad truth that the bill for the freedoms we enjoy is paid by men like Coryell and Penny.

Cop's and Robber's - Animoto

I thought we were done with Cop's and Robber's but my lovely wife has been experimenting with a program called Animoto. Too technical for this country boy but her results look pretty good. Let us know what you think.

http://animoto.com/play/YlQY8bEQcwME0eLaLuAqHg

The Ambush

The finale of Cops and Robbers left those in attendance astounded and delighted. All agreed we provide the best mayhem at our events.

Rather than re-envent the wheel the following link will take you to my wifes description of 'The Jet's last Act'.

The Burnett HomePlace: Farewell Festiva!

The People Make The Difference

For years Helene and I have been doing firearm programs for writers at hotels and conference centers. I put on a pretty good show, but when we move to the range and start handing folks loaded firearms the situation changes. It you have more than two or three students you better have good people helping you make it happen.






Our son Matt and his son 'Spud' moved heaven and earth to get the range ready. He was also one of the range masters that worked with new shooters. He has a gift for this as anyone will discover watching him teaching his own children.





Hangman has been my best friend for over 20 years. He is a storehouse of knowledge and has always given me free run of his firearms collection. These programs wouldn't be near as good without him.




The real glue that holds it all together is my loving bride Helene. Once the event started she handled registration and handed out ammunition. It was the easiest day she had in months.


Not pictured is our ace photographer Amy Sharp. This is because she is usually behind the camers. We use photographs from other people but for quality and volume Amy can't be beat. I would love to make her our offical photographer.




The folks who attended are also part of what makes this fun. Our friend Jean Marie was there along with her Dad. George spent many years as a competative shooter and is quite knowledgeable about firearms and shooting. Having him there felt a bit like defending a thesis, but being a gentelman, if he disaggreeded with anything I said he gave me a pass.






One of the new faces was a man I nicknamed 'The Rifleman' seen here with my 30-30. I believe he had met one of these before!


To paraprase the late great Gorden R. Dixon "Firearms come to Mark's hands like friendly dogs." For someone who hasn't shot much he doesn't miss much either. Here he is making friends with my Mk. VI Webley. If I ever run short on instructors he and I may need to talk.





After hearing how much fun Mark had at THE GREAT PUMPKIN SHOOT his wife Mary Fran wasn't about to be left home again! Here she is learning about the .45 Colt trapper from Matt.

For months we had been hinting at a suprise finally. Once everyone had checked out on the various firearms they were ready.

Tomorrow

The Ambush!

A Good Time Had By All

Last Saturday (May 8, 2010) we had our second live fire writers programs at HomePlace. COPS AND ROBBERS was not as well attended as the first but I think that had more to do with putting in the day before Mother's Day than lack of interest. Note to self, next time really LOOK at the calandar!

Our focus this time around was the firearms used by the Cops and the Robbers of the 1920's and 1930's.

As the folks on both sides tended to use the same weapons this simplified matters. In addition to the popular movie guns we also talked about older firearms still in use by average citizens at the time.

I always like to point out Military surplus firearms available in the time period at bargain prices. These are often over looked.

It was prudent for gangs to get out of town fast. Between vet bring-backs and surplus firearms at the hardware store a slow gang could expect to find themselves under fire from just about any rifle or handgun used in The Great War -on either side!

We also attempted to do some 'Movie and TV damage control' by showing what a blank will do to the coke can shown here with the Copperhead that showed up the night before. Several folks remarked on seeing the snake they wish they had worn better shoes!

Part two tomorrow

Thanks to Amy Sharp for all but the last photo

Last photo by Jean-Marie Linhart

The First Copperhead of the Year

13 hours from COPS AND ROBBERS I was driving out to the shooting range with three extra tables when I saw it. A Copperhead, a big one, headed across the road. It didn't make it. Since I was returning from off property I wasn't armed, but HomePlace has no shortage of long sticks.

Had the snake been back in the woods I would have left it alone, but location and timing was bad.

Location - It was traveling from the area where we have our out buildings to the area where the our old sawmill is located. In addition to myself, my wife, the grandkids, Boat and Peppie the outside cats and Bear the dog run that part of the property on a regular basis. Boat is a new mother! This beastie was 19 inches long. Too dangerous to leave in a well travled area.

Timing - We have a bunch of city folk coming here tomorrow, kids as well. Too many to keep an eye on all the time.

As for the jar, I don't usually do that, but I am often asked about snakes in the area. This time around I can show them what's out there. Perhaps they will take me seriously when I say "Watch where you step."