Thank you all for your congratulations. It was a surprising honor and a humbling experience.
Many of you that have known me for many years probably realized that someone was missing in last night's ceremony. My wife Nancy who has always been at my side could not be there to share the honor with me. Over the years she has worked as hard as I to promote traditional archery and the MLA. Nancy was the person that named the "Great Lakes Longbow Invitational"
She loves her longbow and has been my bow hunting partner ever since we have been married. Some years ago Nancy was diagnosed with Parkinson. It is a progressives disease with no cure and for her it has reached the point where she can no longer shoot her bow or attend functions such as last nights banquet.
I enjoyed the event last night, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I was honored to receive the award but I couldn't help but wish my partner was there to share it with me.
They say behind every man is a great woman, my wife Nancy is that great woman for me. Next Saturday, February 28th will be our 56th anniversary.
This is Nancy and I many years ago when the MLA was just getting started. We use to have snowshoe rabbit hunts near Mio Michigan in March. Nancy had gotten her feet wet in the cedar swamp and I built a fire to warm her up. She has always been a trooper.