Not real Sure of how I came to know Chris Surtees but, we did meet here over the net. Never had a chance to meet him personally but we did connect through Tradgang.
I am sure I had thanked him for the service to our country and for our freeedoms he helped secure! I am still very proud of him for that sacrafice!!!
When we had a conversation over the net, I offered to send his boys a couple osage selfbows in one of our communications. At that time I don't think the boys had bows but again I am unsure of that. I did send the bows out and a few days later I received a package back from Chris. It was unexpected! In the package there were 1/2 doz. flu-flu's and a canebrake rattler skin. Chris had made the arrows and I think the skin he sent was a road kill but again I am unsure of that too!
The boy's & their bows
Here is a slide show of the bow I made with the canebrake skin Chris sent me.
(ClICK PICK BELOW TO VIEW SHOW)
This is one of the flu-flu arrows Chris sent to me with the skin.
My last communication with Chris.
8/6/2010
Chris Surtees
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Joe,
Would it be OK if I gave-a-way the selfbows you built for my boys? They have out grown them and are now just sitting on the rack. I could be getting some good use in the hands of another youngster.
Chris
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Osagetree
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Chris,
No problem. I would be honered if they'll spark interest in other youths! I'd like to see pics of recipients if at all possible but if you can't I understand.
The bows were yours when I sent them so you really didn't have to ask but, Thanks as that is very respectful and I appreciated it a lot.
I am shipping one to SLASHERS son Jesse today, somewhere in Georgia. But don't tell it is a surprize!
Have fun and keep in touch.
Joe
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Chris Surtees
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Thanks Joe...I will get them put up after I get back this weekend from a trip.
Chris
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Chris sending me the arrows and skin in return for the bows and his passing the bows on to others was a show of his true character!
Recently, I took the bow made with Chris's skin and donated it to GORH 2011 (Great Ohio Rabbit Hunt)to raise funds for the event that started back in 1934. The bow was dedicated to Chris and donated to the event on his behalf.
It was raffled off at the event and Roland Scheeff AKA "Tecum-tha" won the bow dedicated in memory of Chris.
(Second bow from top)
On the last day of the event Roland shot the canebrake osage bow & flu-flu arrow with Chris's name on it out into the woods & toward the hollow leading to Hammertown Lake. This arrow had Chris Surtees, GORH 2011, Joe Weed & Tradgang.com written on the cresting. This was our way to remember Chris and have his spirit with us at the hunt and event.
I'll never forget the experince and the fine soul I met via tradgang. I was lucky enough to have at least in someway made a connection with such a fine soul as Chris Surtees!