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A Tribute to Matt Bracken (known on Free Republic as Travis McGee)
Gun Watch ^ | 1 May, 2013 | Dean Weingarten

Posted on 04/30/2013 5:47:50 PM PDT by marktwain

Matt aboard steel yacht that he built

During the last frantic battle to defend the Constitution against those who despise its limitations on government action, one name stands out among Freepers. That name is Matt Bracken, or his freeper screen name, Travis McGee.

Matt recognized the immensity of the challenge immediately. This is not new to him, he has been among the foremost in sounding the alarm about the creeping police state that we find ourselves in. His superb dystopian novels in the Enemies Foreign and Domestic trilogy and his top of the line action/adventure novel Castigo Cay are loud warnings of the severe challenges that our faltering constitutional republic faces.

I recall Matt's grim prognostication back in December: We were going to lose, and lose big. I was nowhere near as optimistic as I had been just a year ago. I thought we could win... but only if we fought, and fought hard. Many thought that we had already lost.

Matt did not complain about the odds. He did not hesitate to join the fight because the foe was numerous, well armed, well organized, and had carefully chosen his place of conflict.

Matt laid aside his well reasoned forecast and wholeheartedly joined the fight. He rallied the troops. He launched literary nuclear strikes into the enemies' rear areas. He day by day created effective munitions for all of us to use, and used them himself.

He has been tireless, energetic, and resourceful.

All of this has come at a cost. Matt makes his living by writing and selling his novels. I doubt that there are as many self-published writers of fiction that make a living at it as there chambers in a S&W revolver.

His time, energy and creative skills are his stock in trade, and he gave unselfishly to our battle from those resources. He has no federal deep pockets to fund him or leftist sugar daddies like George Soros. He takes on the leviathan with little but mental agility, truth, and will.

I know Matt as a man of honor and a patriot. He served as a Navy Seal.

Link to the story behind the MAC-10 photo

Matt would never write as I have about himself. I do not think it is in him to do so.

But, it needs to be said, and I do not know who else will do the job.

I am sure that others will be able to write of Matt's accomplishments far more eloquently than I. Please do so. We need to honor our comrades who deserve it, and Matt is one who greatly deserves it.

I have bought cases of Matt's books. I have never been disappointed.

To Matt, freeper Travis McGee, you are a warrior to be reckoned with in these battles to preserve liberty.

If we had a thousand like you, we need not fear the outcome. May others see your example and follow your lead.

And Matt; I am eagerly waiting for your next novel. I will buy a case when it comes out. May this interlude allow you to write it!

I know the war is not over. It may never be over. But we have won a great battle, and one of our most effective warriors has been Matt Bracken, Navy Seal, Sailor, Author, Seer, Father, and Freeper.

Marktwain, freeper, aka Dean Weingarten


TOPICS: Editorial; FReeper Editorial; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: banglist; efad; mattbracken; navyseal; seal; travismcgee; tribute; usnavyseal
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To: marktwain; Travis McGee; Jim Robinson

Too soon old, too late smart, Travis is the type of man I wish I had been. Many thanks to Jim and Mark for introducing me to him and his work.

Travis - I wish you well, and success in all your endeavors to reclaim or restart Western Civilization.


61 posted on 04/30/2013 8:56:47 PM PDT by brityank (The more I learn about the Constitution, the more I realise this Government is UNconstitutional !!)
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To: Travis McGee; All

Be careful, Matt, or we will demand a speech!


62 posted on 04/30/2013 9:10:46 PM PDT by marktwain (The MSM must die for the Republic to live. Long live the new media!)
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To: marktwain
Be careful, Matt, or we will demand a speech

Yes an acceptance speech from Senator Bracken would be fine by me! j/k

Matt, keep doing what you do best. Your books are great!

63 posted on 04/30/2013 9:52:11 PM PDT by broken_clock (Nuke'm til they glow, then shoot'em in the dark.)
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To: marktwain; Travis McGee; Drumbo

Geez marktwain, you scairt the bejeebers outta me for a second there.

But you are right. We do need and treasure the standout men, and they deserve to know it.

Thank you so much, Matt!


64 posted on 04/30/2013 11:35:24 PM PDT by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
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To: Red Steel

There’s a mackerel in that picture?
;-p

O2


65 posted on 05/01/2013 12:02:13 AM PDT by omegatoo (You know you'll get your money's worth...become a monthly donor!)
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To: All; Travis McGee

In the decade I have been contributing research to this site, Matt’s posts and perspectives have stood out as among those I put in the must-read category. I am happy to see his work reaching a wider audience. Congratulations on a job well-done!


66 posted on 05/01/2013 12:28:13 AM PDT by Fedora
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To: marktwain

Hell yeah i concur

Have had the pleasure of Matt and his sons’ company both here at our home in Nashville area several times and his stomping grounds these days in Jax

He is a real live hero to our 3 boys and we are all proud to know he and his entire family

God bless him


67 posted on 05/01/2013 12:41:34 AM PDT by wardaddy (wanna know how my kin felt during Reconstruction in Mississippi, you fixin to find out firsthand)
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To: marktwain
Anyone know if Matt has a connection to Fort Lauderdale and the Bahia Mar Yacht Basin, like “Travis McGee” does?

Is Matt's boat called the “Busted Flush?”

I spent the first 40 years of my life living, working, and partying a few blocks away from Bahia Mar.

68 posted on 05/01/2013 1:33:07 AM PDT by zeestephen
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To: Travis McGee

every word of the tribute is more than true. You’re a hero. whether you know and admit it, or not. keep on keepin’ on brother. the light of burning honesty will consume the enemies of our way of life. looking forward to more tales of victories yet to come. btw, i loved the stories of travis mcgee and his many adventures. the “busted flush” was never more seaworthy than now!


69 posted on 05/01/2013 1:59:19 AM PDT by Movemout (I pity the poor bastards who have us surrounded.)
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To: Movemout

oh! and watch your six!!!!!!!!!!!!!


70 posted on 05/01/2013 2:01:54 AM PDT by Movemout (I pity the poor bastards who have us surrounded.)
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To: marktwain

Thanks for the link. I just d/l’d it. Sounds like great reading for less than a buck.


71 posted on 05/01/2013 4:14:33 AM PDT by Postman (........................................................Flies get too little credit)
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To: Red Steel; marktwain
"Nice looking mackerel"

Nice looking man holding said mackerel!

72 posted on 05/01/2013 4:25:29 AM PDT by NoGrayZone (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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To: buckeye49
When I got Enemies Foreign and Domestic on my kindle, I had no idea who the author was, I just liked the description of the story. As I was reading it, I kept thinking “wow, this guy should be a Freeper”.

I love it when it comes around that way.

73 posted on 05/01/2013 4:29:01 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: B4Ranch; marktwain
You scared me. I thought I was going to Florida for a funeral.

It's a bit unsettling to read this tribute thread. Now I'm looking up for safes and pianos falling my way.

74 posted on 05/01/2013 4:30:35 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I feel like Tom and Huck slipping into their funeral.


75 posted on 05/01/2013 4:31:37 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: broken_clock; marktwain
I'll never be a politician, that's for sure. My niche is writer and coal mine canary. As long as you read my latest rants, there is still a first amendment in this country. And if anything happens to me of a suspicious nature, (aka Breitbart's Syndrome), my essay "Gangster Government and Sakharov's Immunity" is my farewell warning.

Meanwhile, I've put my half-finished 5th novel on hold to focus on shorter stuff, since time is short for freedom in America. A novel with a two-year delivery time won't mean much if freedom is gone in one.

76 posted on 05/01/2013 4:35:54 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: zeestephen

My wife and I lived on a 35’ sailboat on Hendricks Isle for a few years in the late 1980s. That’s right off of Las Olas Blvd and just a short hop from Bahia Mar. And of course I’ve read everything I could find by John D. MacDonald, including all of the TM novels many times.


77 posted on 05/01/2013 4:37:41 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: wardaddy

Likewise, it’s been a pleasure.


78 posted on 05/01/2013 4:38:57 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: marktwain; Travis McGee
Thank you Mr. Bracken. When I think about the unique blend of skill, guts, ability and raw courage it takes to be a SEAL I am filled with awe. Your service, now and forever is a thing to be respected. Coupled with your uncompromising patriotism and integrity...You are truly a great patriot for our republic.

Thank you. God bless you.

79 posted on 05/01/2013 5:18:32 AM PDT by Wyrd bið ful aræd (Gone Galt, 11/07/12----No king but Christ! Don't tread on me!)
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To: Travis McGee

Full auto, Henry Bowman, BUMP!


80 posted on 05/01/2013 6:12:11 AM PDT by DCBryan1
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