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.
This is really scary, Aunt B. Will pass this on.
You asked Madame Dufarge if anything was going on. I think we're all getting used to the new FR. There were quite a few opuses (plural of opus is really opera) over the changes, but everything is back to normal now and the "operators" have returned.
Thanks for the stirring tribute to Jeff and for providing that words to that CD.
Jeff
Thanks for all you do and congrats on a well deserved award.
God bless you both.
God bless you and yours my friend ... and may He continue to bless us all with the sweet blessing of liberty as long as there are folks like yourslef willing to stand tall for it!
Leni
One fellow was yelling at me, "Can't you see my pain, I'm a medicine man". Not being Bill Clinton, I missed it and asked him to tell me his "pain" in one word. He stammered and finally said his children. I suggested he get some fish for his kids from that Indian lady last summer who caught some enourmous amount in nets...like 2500 pounds of salmon. He cursed something in some language at me and I told him to speak English since he too, is an AMERICAN even if he was carrying a stupid sign instead of a FLAG!
We engaged several of the enviro's with stuffed cloth fish on their heads (Oh, yes...I am NOT making this up!). They were young and dumb. College educated, but useful idiots. They listened. They learned some things I hope. It was mostly a political show. I still want to know about those government plates....did anyone get pictures???
LOL!
I am so proud of you Jeff and all the others that worked so hard for this noble cause. I'll never forget the way we laughed, cried and prayed together here over this travesty. And now rejoice!
Eagles are a listed species, if we get caught stirring them up we'll be in deep doo-doo! :o)
Thanks for the tap Joe.
You ride pretty tall in the saddle yourself........
Jeff: Congratulations.
Understand about the furniture. ;-)
Miss ya!
I'm sure you make a great impression on everyone you meet. I know You have with me.
When I try to describe You to people I talk to, I tell them You are everything John Wayne ever played in his movies and more.
I have to tell You, it means a lot to me when You call me Bro. I hope I never let You down....
Peace be with You and your Family. :^)
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