Posted by Karla Lofgren Davis for John Echoff and Larry Smith Last October 2008, a few Milby Buffs got together to visit and play with their "toys". That gathering is well chronicled in the post, "THE SHOOTOUT". Click here to read all about it. On June 6th, 2009 they staged a sequel, The SHOOT-OUT, PART DEAUX. See the photo album that chronicles that event - click here. We were all invited through a post on the blog, April, May, June the story developed. Here goes a behind-the-scenes report - THE MAKING OF THE SEQUEL. ************************************************** Larry and Charleen Smith will be our hosts at their home near Plantersville, Navasota, Stoneham, and Ren Fest. To read Larry's bio and learn more about his home, click here. We hope to see you there – whether to admire the guns, do some supervised shooting, or just visit and chow down (as Ed and I plan to do. KD). What’s for Lunch??? Here's the menu, as it developed: John and Linn Echoff are bringing the brisket Larry and Charleen Smith are furnishing coffee & iced tea;
Charles and Dolly Crider are bringing fruit salad and pineapple upside down cake (YUM!!!)
Don and Susan Hannsz will bring Roman Noodle Salad.
Ray and Pat Prichard - "a big pot of pinto beans"
Jody Bugg is bringing heavy duty paper plates (we're feasting!!!), cups for drinks, napkins, and plasticware
Glenda (Burns) and John Minniece are bringing a broccoli salad
Ed and Karla Davis will bring a dessert (two if needed)
Other side dishes, salads, chips and dips... what else do we need??? What will YOU bring? Tell us in a comment on the blog or through e-mail and we'll keep the list growing.
Now this is how the idea for Part 2 developed, as told through e-mail exchanges starting April 29:
April 29, John Echoff wrote…
OK, for all you adventure seekers! Here is the deal, last year, Larry & Charlene Smith hosted Charles & Dolly Crider, Linn and I to his home and we had a ball shooting all sorts of weapons - rifles and pistols. Larry suggested we try again and invite a few more classmates, especially some of the former ROTC guys and girls.
We could all bring something to eat or drink, since Larry and Charlene fixed lunch last time. Let's have some of your favorite suggestions for a picnic type meal.
I know not everyone feels about weapons like Charles, Larry and I do, but if for nothing else come for the camaraderie. We all had great fun the last time, Dolly, Charlene, and her folks did not shoot any guns but enjoyed a great visit. I know we would all enjoy getting together. Think of the stories we can tell on each other - that alone should be worth the trip....
Love all you guys and gals, stay safe and hope to see you soon. John Echoff
May 12, Larry Smith wrote…
About having a second edition of the "Shootout"… after checking schedules with those who have replied, we have set the date of June 6. If you are interested in meeting up to visit, do some "safe & sane" shooting, and chow down on some of Linn's brisket and other goodies, please let us know as soon as possible.
In case anyone is concerned that we are "gun nuts", and there will be no time for just visiting, let me remind you that most of the time spent at the first shootout was visiting (and eating). Now some of that time was standing around a table and rifle rack full of unloaded firearms, so we might be gun nuts, but we are also safety nuts. All guns are verified to be empty, there is nothing you can't put your fingerprints on, and ammo boxes will remain closed until the targets are hung.
Mostly we just want to see you folks again. Larry
May 11, Ray Prichard wrote…
Larry, I think you have the right idea. It is your party and you should just say, “Here is the date we are planning to have the shootout”. Since Ray Petty and Charles Crider and John seem to be good for June 6 then I am ready to go along with those fine folks. When we work on the reunions, it comes down to making our mind up and setting a date and hoping that it is a good date for a great number of the people. Put me down for June 6 as a great time to meet. I agree that the weather is quickly going to get too hot to enjoy the outdoors. I have four cans of OFF that I will bring along, in case there is a mosquito problem. Ray
May 14, John Echoff wrote…
Karla, it seems that everyone interested has tapped June 6th as the day to gather at Larry & Charlene's place. Please pass the word to all of the old ROTC folks and other classmates that anyone and everyone is invited to attend! We are all going to bring food (I'm asking Linn to fix a Brisket), paper plates, napkins, whatever...
You don't have to be a GUN NUT to attend. Last time we spent more time visiting than shooting! All handling of firearms will be under strict observation, all safety rules will be followed (written rules will also be posted for all to read), weapons will be kept unloaded until time to actually shoot at targets. I am an NRA Instructor, Police Firearms Instructor, former Military Range Officer, and Concealed Handgun Instructor with over 30 years of experience. I'll guarantee that firearms instructors don't get to be my age by being careless!
It will be a wonderful time for old friends to get together, after all, who knows what might happen between now and next year's reunion. I am looking forward to a good turn out. If you are not interested in the guns and shooting, there is plenty of room to visit and relax while others partake in activities. Oh, don't forget the FOOD! John
May 15, Larry Smith wrote…
I agree with John. Let's post a note on the blog about "Shootout Part Deaux". FYI, here is a summary of who has responded about the June 6th date. Larry Smith, John Echoff, Nray Prichard, Charles Crider, Don Hannsz, Sheila Howard (maybe), Don Williamson (maybe) [and their spouses!]
Just a note...we will probably not have enough "ear muff" style hearing protectors for everyone, but I will make sure we have plenty of the soft rubber ear plugs (individually packaged). Thanks...Larry
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Had dinner with Don & Susan Hannsz last evening and they confirmed they would also attend. Come on Guys & Dolls lets get together and have a ball! Anyone needing directions, drop Larry Smith a request, anyone living between Galveston and the woods where Larry lives needing a ride drop me a note and we'll make arraingments to pick you up-wanna ride on my Harley? Naaw, I'll give you a real air-conditioned ride to and from! DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERAS!!!!
Posted by: John Echoff | May 18, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Glenda (Burns) Minniece, her husband John, and I are planning to come. Of course, I don't shoot, but I do like eat and like to visit.
Jody
Posted by: Jody Bugg | May 22, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Hey gang, Linn put the secret rub on the briskets, they will absorb that for a couple of days, then we fire up the smoke pit. YUM,YUM don't miss out on this! My tummy is growling just thinking about it...
DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERAS!!!!
Posted by: John Echoff | June 01, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Susan and Don Hannsz will be bringing a "Roman Noodle salad" to the "Shoot Out". Look forward to seeing a lot of folks there!
By the way, the cruise was fantastic! We saw Joe and Kay several times during the two weeks. Susan and I didn't kiss the "Blarney Stone" since the "swine flu" was such a "pandemic"? We did visit the beaches of Normandy France however!!
Posted by: Donald (Don) Hannsz | June 03, 2009 at 07:41 PM
"Chapter Three" Sonny Jones said he wasn't much into guns and therefore didn't show up. There might be others with similar feelings, so if anyone's interested how about a non-gun gathering? We'll just call it "Chapter Three", give me and Linn a little more time and we will be able to play host.
Still have work to do on the barn, Charlie Crider has been a great help, coming down and working until we couldn't work any longer. We will be making the family memorial gathering mid-July in Michigan. Sooo, I guess we can aim for late August or September. Someone start surveying all our pals and see what works for the majority.
We have been annexed by the City of Santa Fe, therefore; no shootin' in the city! That doesn't mean we can't raise a ruckus, BBQ with all the trimmings. Time to visit, time to relax, time to just be you!
Nothing fancy, jeans, t-shirts, whatever is comfy. Please don't let the size of our 4 legged friends put you off, they are big spoiled babies, just don't put down your plate within their reach.
We will have plenty of stuff to keep you entertained. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Posted by: John Echoff | June 24, 2009 at 04:35 AM
[see previous comment, to which John refers here]
Anyone wishing to offer ideas for "Chapter Three" please speak up, we are gathering all ideas and suggestions. We are open to menu, games, dates, whatever you wish to put forth. Several of the "maybe's" did not make it to Larry's, perhaps the date was bad for them, speak up and give us some input! A lot of folks live within a reasonable driving distance of our home (3 1/2 miles off IH 45 on FM646-that's exit 20). Our hours are open, we are always up early and I am always up late-sometimes all night and day. Don't be bashful, we'd love to have you over and join the fun. This is not a closed club, any Buffalo and/or family is welcome.
John
Posted by: John Echoff | July 09, 2009 at 04:18 AM
John,
Right now, the best I can do is to let you know when I cannot make it. I'm booked on July 18/19 and 25/26. I'll be in Portland, OR, from August 4-16.
Jody
Posted by: Jody Bugg | July 09, 2009 at 08:01 PM