Labgrade memorial picnic: Awesome!

[fivetoes]

Here is a shot of me reading the award being given to Crystal by Larry Ashcraft.

For more pictures of the wonderful day please visit www.lovelandnet.com/labgrade/picnic.htm

Larry, I must apologize for referring to you as 'John' Ashcroft. For some oddball reason I actually thought that was your name. Please forgive me. Maybe it was the crowd; they're not big government fans.

All in all it was a wonderful time. I will tell you all this. I have been with Crystal several times throughout the last month. We rummaged through the rubble of her house. We have discussed Al and the influnence he had on so many people. I watched her at the church during the memorial service and spent time with her afterward. She is one classy and somewhat tough lady. A Second Amendment Sister with great fortitude and a large Cross still to bear.

When she was given the award from THR was the first time I have seen her break down as she did. I was somewhat surprised by it.

After she composed herself she was presented a framed copy of an entry into the United States Congressional Record by the Honorable Congresswoman from Colorado, Marilyn Musgrave.


HONORING THE LIFE OF ALAN ALBERTUS

______


HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

of colorado

in the house of representatives

Monday, May 17, 2004

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a true
American. Alan Albertus was a man that served his country in the U.S.
Air Force, as well as his community as an engineer. He was an
outdoorsman who had few peers, respecting the land God had blessed us
with while enjoying the challenges of Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

Alan gave much of his time to defending our constitutional right to
bear arms, and often instructed young families on firearms safety,
reloading, and firearms ballistics. He was active in politics--he
organized rallies, celebrated the Bill of Rights, and was a delegate to
conventions. Alan believed the best legacy he could leave to America
was that of freedom, and he worked hard to preserve that freedom.

Most importantly, Alan Albertus served his family and his Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be missed.


It can be found here HONORING THE LIFE OF ALAN ALBERTUS

 

[Dr.Rob]

I'm sorry I couldn't be there... looks like it was a nice ceremony/get together for an old friend.

 

[fivetoes]

I assumed they were part of the Johnstown Memorial Day celebration:

Larry, what they did is actually stage down the street at the KHNC 1360 AM, American Freedom Network. They do like to make a grand entrance and they had nothing else on their schedule.

I maintain their website. If you want to see where they will be check it out.
Northern Colorado Fife & Drum Corps

Larry, I believe they will be laying down your way in August at the State Fair.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

No apology required, Tom, except it's AshcrAft.

Larry, I believe they will be laying down your way in August at the State Fair.

I noticed that on their schedule (which I failed to pick up a copy of - thanks for the link), I thought of offering lodging to some of them if they need it. We do have some room. I haven't been to the parade as a spectator for many years, altho I've participated a few times with my old John Deeres. I would brave the crowds for these guys though.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

When she was given the award from THR was the first time I have seen her break down as she did.

Not sure how to respond to that. I certainly didn't mean to cause Crystal any undue pain (Lord knows she's seen enough of that lately). It was probably the "and above all, a family man" that did it. Anybody who has read Alan's posts knows that his family was the number one priority, above all else. I'm sure Crystal knew this too.

Sometimes a cry and a hug can do some good. I hope we helped her heal just a little bit. I hope so.



(edited because this former English major cannot STAND misspellings)

 

[fivetoes]

Larry, I think the plaque and the thoughfulness behind it meant a lot to her. Since Al's disabilty prevented him from holding a steady job, he spent a lot of time on THR and TFL. It was his virtual world. Sometimes it is hard to understand the brotherhood that an internet form can provide to those who do not participate. I believe that plaque and the tributes to Al in the other post helped her realize just what a fine bunch of folks hang out here.

I know as I was reading the plaque those little goose pimple thingies were running up and down my arms.

 

[P95Carry]

Fivetoes .. many thx for the extra info and pics .....

Sometimes it is hard to understand the brotherhood that an internet form can provide to those who do not participate

So very true. And we can see this in a few other threads running .. right now even. It is so easy to demean the cyber thing but .. on a board like this - it has proven itself to be something quite remarkable.

It was good to read Marilyn Musgrave's words too .. excellent.

Thx too for the link to all the other pics at Loveland .. what a feast for the eyes .... and I think Crystal will have been further strengthened by all you guys did .. even if at times she found it difficult

I am honored to be a part of it all.

 

[Brian Dale]

my monitor's all blurry.

Thanks to those who could be there with Crystal, for Alan.

labgrade, go with God. You'll always be missed. You'll never be forgotten.

 

[sm]

Only thing left when I’m gone – is that which don’t burn.

Crystal,

I met your husband on the internet, on a gun forum called TFL, later we both joined THR. We exchanged PM’s and shared experiences. Many were naturally RKBA and Firearm related. Then things changed for labgrade and I. The heart-transplant, is what changed our relationship.

“labgrade†he will always be labgrade to me, he was hurting inside, not for himself but for the boy, his wife, you Crystal, he was hurting for you folks. He asked for my phone number, told me get off line, he wanted to call me. You were asleep, finally exhausted enough to sleep.

“Steve†the hardest part is the not knowing, and waiting, it is driving me crazyâ€. He went on to vent, I let him. “I have a strong woman in that Crystal, I’m a guy and I can’t seem to find the strength she has, I cannot seem to do anything right. Everything I do, I seem to mess upâ€.

About that time labgrade was in the kitchen, I don’t know what he knocked over ( trying to be quiet) and you Crystal were awakened, you obviously got up to what the commotion was because labgrade then says – “Hi …oh…I’m talking to Steve, and internet buddy…he is looking up some stuff in some books and answering some questions about heart transplants…he gave me some websites…see Steve, what I’d tell you, I can’t go into the kitchen and be quiet without knocking something over…â€

Yeah, I’m “that†Steve.

Same one whom again, when talking to labgrade about TRT and the like, re-told the story about me putting a trigger locks on a fire extinguisher in my Eng Lit class to make a point with an instructor from the UK that thought guns were bad and we Yankees could learn about crime and guns from her native birthplace. I believe it was labgrades laughing out loud that woke you up that time…I didn’t hear anything fall in the background. Sorry.

I typed once in a post “there is more to responsible firearm ownership – than firearmsâ€. Your husband , asks me where I got that, I told him the hell if I knew, just made sense. He asked to quote it, use it…I explained to him, I am no big deal, maybe I heard it, I have no idea where I got it, by all means use it for whatever and whenever. This RKBA and Liberties concern is not a place , nor is it a race for personality races or conflicts. Heck, he says, or writes something I like, I will use it. We had an understanding.

So no I did not know labgrade like many here. I was told you Crystal would provide a blanket for the couch if I ever made it out that way. [ I liked the way he volunteered you, I ribbed him about that but good btw] Many times our communications were on your dime and did not pertain to firearms, RKBA or Liberties.

I see by Larry’s photos the artwork. Oh my, labgrade bragged and tried to convey in words these works – words do not do them justice. I wish I had the money to purchase one. I wish I had the money and the time to have made it out to visit, I wish I could have been able to attend the funeral and now this Memorial Picnic.

I am going through some life stuff myself, the reality is my stuff is so trivial in comparison. Interesting thing is while labgrade and I were discussing the heart transplant situation, he and I agreed, there is always someone worse off. One should be grateful and live in the moment, cherish the ones around you. He cherished his wife and family – this I know not from the words he spoke – from the way the spoke them. Same conviction labgrade used his efforts to preserve Liberties.

I shared that quote at the beginning of this with labgrade, he became philosophical about it. Hard as hell to accept he is gone, and to try to convey these feeling with a monitor that keeps getting blurry.

Damn labgrade, I never thought you would be a testimony to that quote.

Somebody give Crystal a hug for me next time you see her – please.

Steve


I had to do this post "my way"...never was one to always follow the rules. If a certain Eng Maj finds fault...well...Larry My friend, my monitor is blurry, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[P95Carry]

Steve ....... I enjoyed reading that and thank you for posting. I think many of us would dearly like to hug that lady.

Keep strong Crystal if you can.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Steve,

That is one of the most powerful posts I have ever read. Thank you.

I remember posting once on TFL when it was hard to keep the monitor in focus. It was about my friend, Vince, who was murdered because he wasn't allowed to defend himself while at work.

I know how hard it is to do.

I only met Labgrade once, at my house. You obviously had a much closer relationship with him. I envy you. I know Alan and I would have been great friends, had he just stayed around a little longer.

Keep strong Crystal if you can.

At 5'0", 100 lbs. (I'm guessing), Crystal is the strongest person I have met in a long time.

God Bless and keep her.