Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas to each of you and and a very happy hunting new year!  There is no doubt that 2009 is shaping up to be very interesting.  I am not just talking about my planed hunts to Africa, the Yukon, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, either!  I am talking about the potential effort of some politicians and other freedom haters to seriously attack our freedoms and rights.  It was just 6 short months ago when our Supreme Court correctly confirmed what most of us already know, that as free people, the right to "keep and bear arms" is a personal right!  Empowered by an apparant political shift to the left in our country, some of these folks will stop at nothing to take this right away from us.  It is more important than ever that we as hunters, shooters, and free people stand up, and stand together, to fight these freedom haters just like our forefathers did with the British on the bridge at Concord.  "But Keith, what can we really do"?  Join the NRA if you are not already a member or extend your existing membership if you are a member.  Get active, write your elected officials, speak openly to your friends, neighbors and co-workers about your beliefs, or give NRA memberships as Christmas gifts (they are only $20!!!)  You probably have some ideas yourself and i hope you share them with us.  Happy new year?  Well it could be, IF we stand strong to our beliefs and speak out and fight for them to ensure that we do not lose them FOREVER!

Lastly, i know that times are tough and that a lot of folks are having a hard time making ends meet, or having to cut out come pleasures like an out of town hunt or, for some people, much worse.  It is times like this when we must let the beauty of our human spirit come out and help those less fortunate than us, as much as we can.  That could be a financial donation to your church or other charity, donating food or cloths to homeless shelters or food pantries, adopting a less fortunate family for Christmas, and many, many more ways to make a real difference in the lives of those less fortunate.  I know that sometimes I get wrapped up in my worldly ways, like the show or my outfitting business, and don't do enough for others myself.  I can tell you that this year I am going to try and do more than my part and I hope that you all do too!

This coming year let's be warriors and guardian angels at the same time.  On both fronts, if we act with spirit, commitment, compassion and faith 2009 will be a good year!

Merry Christmas and God bless!

The Mark Family