"...no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formiddable
as the will and the moral courage of free men and women..."
Beautiful Tribute, Aunt B, for Jeff Head. Thank you Aunt B and Jeff Head for doing all that you can and more for Liberty!
Posted on 04/04/2002 11:51:20 AM PST by AuntB
A Tribute to my friend Jeff Head, Free Republic’s Eagle Award-FREEPER OF THE YEAR
It had only been a few minutes earlier that I hugged blackie, Barb, GrandmaC, redrock and his precious family and headed north out of the narrow canyon, glancing in the rear view mirror at the tiny community of Jarbidge, Nevada. The sun was low in the west, bouncing glistening sparks off the tips of junipers and the winding creek that the narrow dirt road followed. It had been a long three days, my car, gear and my body was covered with a quarter inch of Nevada Dust. and I was distressed that I could not stay for the long anticipated events of the next day, July 4, 2000.
Redrock and the others had already cleared passage through the mountain of dirt and rock that the US Forest Service had dumped to block the S. Canyon Road, the only other road out of the isolated community besides the one I found myself navigating. A “staging ground” and campsite had been set up just over the border of Idaho and I could not resist stopping to meet any other Free Republic members who may have been there.
Remove from your imagination any notion of an organized “camp ground”. This was a big field donated by a local rancher for the gathering. I threw my vehicle into 4 wheel drive and started across the field, which was mostly ruts and foot tall grass. The first group informed me they thought some freepers were…”over that way”. I prayed that I didn’t run over an “endangered” field rat.
I encountered a group deep in conversation, a likely place for a bunch of freepers. After asking if any one there was with Free Republic, a charming man extended his hand, introducing himself as “cc2k”. Leaning against a bumper, with his back to me was a cowboy hat clad man who turned and said, “Who are you?” When he spoke, and I saw his face, I knew it was Jeff Head. Sometimes you meet a soul that you have known forever and you recognize him when you meet him. Then I was back on the road headed west for home for the 800 mile journey.
Jeff and the others finished clearing the South Canyon Road, moved the Liberty Rock, cleaned the outhouses on Independence day. I listened to the live radio reports and knew that all was well. Jarbidge was in good hands.
I never expected to see Jeff Head and my other new friends again. Once was privilege enough. And our work was done. Or so it seemed at the time. In April of 200l, the federal government cut irrigation water off to 1400 farmers in the Klamath Basin. Now, the battle was to be fought in my back yard and once again Free Republic’s incredible resources would be used. The Bucket Brigade was a successful milestone with nearly 20,000 attending in that small community. Many were from FreeRepublic.....MadameAxe, Robert Drobot, forester, Marsh2, Washington_Minuteman, Conservative and many more answered the call.
The residents of the basin were doing all they knew to do to restore some sanity to this process, but finally in desperation, some of them decided to “let the water flow” on July 13. We had a rally that day and I had already arrived home when late that night I got a phone call. It was Jeff Head. He was on his way to the head gates. The farmers were no longer alone.
I arrived in Klamath Falls about 6:00 a.m. the next morning after federal agents had surprised the dozen there trying to protect the water and were now standing armed guard to keep the farmers from obtaining their water. Though tired from the 14 hour drive all night long, Jeff greeted me with that wonderful smile, shaded by his weathered cowboy hat.
All the contributions Jeff made to the community of the Klamath Basin and others cannot be listed here. Until I met some of the fine, brave Americans like Jeff Head, who truly care about their fellow man, and the creatures of the earth as well. I would not have believed such good people existed. The last time Jeff and I met was the big rally at the Klamath County Fairgrounds in August. It had been an exhausting summer for us all. This time he brought his son Jared, who was a delight. These children don’t have to be concerned with not having a good role model and are proud of this Western gentleman they call “Dad”. I situated myself at the front of the building with signs to locate the other freepers soon to arrive. And arrive they did…. in numbers.....nunya bidness, amom, Bump in the night, clamper1797, 68-69TonkinGuilfYatchClub and more. Someone asked me if Jeff was there and I told them, he’s down on the bottom level with some other people. “Look for a cowboy hat with a braided leather hat band.....oh,nevermind, you’ll know him when you see him!.” And they did.
Sometimes, when we are in trouble, good people show up to help. Next time you find yourself in one of those situations, look around. My friend Jeff will be up front…HELPING. I can’t begin to explain it, but you’ll know him when you see him.
AuntB, I am so proud of you all! How I wish I could have been there with you all.
It seems the envior-nazis want to protect the White River Wildlife Refuge from the local farmers.
The Grand Prairie Irrigation Project, a must for farmers, is being protrayed as a "destroy the wildlife" project.
I see FReeper intervention in our future here.
Pay attention, Hog Wild FReepers!
Yes, isn't it amazing how thee enviro-nazis operate? Can you say "double standard?" =o)
I'm going to rain on the parade a little though. Chalk it up to contentiousness.
It is an exercise in democracy which can at times become very contentious.
Exactly the problem. Governance is not something to be "exercised" with. Dumbbells are for exercise, not governance.
I hope that Ms. Callahan understands the full implications of her statement.
The Republic survives? The poor sickly thing. Rotting from the inside out from the looks of things.
Wasp, I didn't actually get to meet you in person but I felt as if I had after reading all those great signs you composed for the Bucket Brigade and seeing your inspirational posts here.
Regards to you all, and to all the "Klamath folks",
MA
Regards,
MA
Beautiful Tribute, Aunt B, for Jeff Head. Thank you Aunt B and Jeff Head for doing all that you can and more for Liberty!
(I'm back in town after a short vacation.)
It's a little worse for the wear after my summer of manual ork down in Tejas ... seat ring has risen about 2 inches LOL!
BTW ... started Volume III this weekend.
But WRT the series, I will not feel the real pressure until I start hearing from folks that they are finished with Volume II, reviewed it and are pushing for Volume III.
Best FRegards!
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