Last night I had the pleasure of meeting yet another listener of my Up North Journal podcast. John Fleming is from Minnesota, he and his eleven year old son made the trip to Michigan yesterday to do a hog hunt. John and I had been emailing back and forth about the hunt and we made plans to meet since the hog ranch was near where I live.
They rolled into town last night and we met at the local archery range I shoot at, that way he could check his equipment before he headed out on his hunt. When he arrived he had a nice gift for Mikey (my son and co-host of Up North Journal). He brought him a beautiful numbered and limited edition goose print. Since he isn’t a waterfowler, he knew Mikey would love it. He was right, Michael was floored and very greatful! Then he proceeded to floor me!
He told me he wasn’t done with his gifts. He began to tell the story of his recent deployment to Iraq and how they recieved a package for their service for our country and defending it’s freedoms! In this package was five things that he was supposed to give away to others he felt deserving for defending the great freedoms we all enjoy here in our great nation. He then told me that even though I didn’t fight in combat, but he felt I along with my son and the Up North Journal crew fight and defend our freedoms through the podcast each and every week! My jaw hit the floor! I was speechless!
I do promote hunting, fishing and the great outdoors along with our second amendment rights! But that is easy compared to what this man has done by giving of his life and time to defend our freedoms! I want to thank John for his gift and more importantly thank him for his dedication and giving of his life and his time for defending our great nation and freedoms!
John is currently serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard and we here at the Up North Journal thank him and all of our servicemen and women for what they do along with all of those that have served our nation!
If you see a serviceman or woman make sure and thank them for their service! Once again thank you John for the great gift, I will treasure it forever!
