Below is a link to realtree.com's story on 9/11/01 and the members of Squad41.The effort put forth by team Realtree was unbelieveable. The friendship,care and support given to myself and my FDNY family will never be forgotten. I would like to personally thank Nino Bosas,Scott Hughes,The entire Eder family and of course Bill Jordan and all at Realtree and Gray Loon. Your support helped me get through the toughest days of my life!
http://www.realtree.com/community/feature.php?ID=65
Gibson Craig,Ed Walsh, Louis Torres,Scott Schrimpe October 2001 Ground Zero.
In the spring of 2004 I had the pleasure of being invited to hunt turkey with team Realtree's Michael Waddell and Mark Womack . The hunt was being filmed for "realtree roadtrips". Spending time hunting with and getting to know Mike and Mark was great! Aside from his tremendous skills afield,I can tell you first hand what a great person Michael Waddell is! His care and support was a true reflection on team Realtree. They are truly much more than a camo company, they are a Family! please visit Realtree.com here to read more on this incredible hunt! http://www.realtree.com/community/photoEssay.php?ID=83
I would like to personally thank Michael Waddell,Mark Womack,Scott Hughes, Stephanie Mallory and the entire Realtree family. Your friendship and support will never be forgotten!
Ed Walsh,Mark Womack,Michael waddell!
NYC Firefighters Journey to Help Katrina Victims
Two FDNY veterans lend their hands and hearts to the folks that need it most in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. -- By Ed Walsh
As a 15-year veteran of the FDNY and after enduring the grueling nine-month rescue and recovery operation at 9/11’s Ground Zero in New York City, I've learned a lot about disasters. I've also learned of the tremendous generosity and support Realtree, the outdoor community, and the rest of our great country will extend in times of great devastation.
In the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, Realtree came to the aid of my company, Squad 41. They helped to raise thousands of dollars for the families of our six fallen brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day.
After Hurricane Katrina struck, Gibson Craig (a fellow veteran firefighter from Squad 41) and I felt an overwhelming need to help, just as so many people had done for us after September 11th. I contacted Bill Bradley, Executive Director of Hearts With Hands, which is a disaster relief company based in Asheville, North Carolina. Bill and his wonderful organization also helped us after September 11th. Knowing Bill, I was sure he would be heavily involved with the disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina. He told me he could absolutely use our help.
Craig and I flew into Birmingham, Alabama and drove down through Mobile into Mississippi. On our drive, we talked about what we might see. We had no idea of the magnitude of damage we would see in the coming days.
We arrived in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which was the location of the Hearts With Hands Disaster Team. We stayed on sight at their location with about a dozen volunteers. The heat index was breaking through the 100-degree mark daily. Working under these conditions was tough, but the volunteers worked nonstop. Hearts with Hands had stations set up for Katrina victims to come in and pick up anything they might need--water, baby supplies and shoes. Things we take for granted such as soap and baby wipes were in short supply.
While that operation was running at full steam, Craig and I loaded trucks and brought supplies as far into the disaster zone as we could get. At one of our first stops, a school was set up to distribute food. A young mom holding her infant approached the line. Knowing what we had in the truck, I asked if she needed a baby carriage. She responded with an enthusiastic “please!” The look in their eyes was very rewarding. It was the first time I felt I was making a difference, but it wouldn’t be the last.
At our next stop, near Pass Christian, Mississippi, we came upon a small fire company. Many members of this volunteer company were staying at the firehouse because they had lost their own homes. They told us that the firehouse in the next town was completely destroyed, so they were now covering an area twice as large as they had before Katrina struck. Luckily, some firefighters from Baltimore, Maryland had already come down to help them out. They told us what supplies they needed at the firehouse and for the community distribution center they had set up right next door.
My partner and I made the two-hour journey back to the Hearts With Hands location and loaded the truck with the supplies the firefighters had asked for. Together with the crew down from Baltimore, we unloaded the supplies at the firehouse and at the community distribution center. We then took a little time to enjoy an awesome meal with our fellow firefighters and their families.
That afternoon we traveled to Slidell, Louisiana. Another disaster relief organization had set up a food distribution center that provided hot meals three times a day. Although they provided food, we realized this area had an immediate need for many other supplies. Together with some local volunteers, we delivered an entire truckload of baby supplies, baby food, personal hygiene items and many other supplies right into the hands of people waiting in line. The entire truck was empty in less than two hours.
The following day, we brought two truckloads of supplies into the same location in , Louisiana. This time, we had some additional, special cargo. While handing out food and supplies to the victims of Katrina, we were able to distribute the remaining Squad 41 Realtree shirts that Realtree had made for our 9/11 family fund-raising efforts.
In the line of cars waiting for supplies that day, I noticed a pick-up truck that had been smashed in. Even though the whole driver’s side was crushed, it was still able to be driven! I approached the man who was driving the truck. He said that a tree had landed on it. He told me how he cut the giant tree off of his truck so he could drive to get supplies. As it turned out, he was a fellow hunter. I gave him some boxes of food and a Realtree/Squad 41 shirt and I told him of the tremendous effort Realtree put forth for us. He loved the shirt and gave me a heartfelt handshake. It made me feel great to be helping such brave survivors.
In the remaining days, we delivered many truckloads to this location in Slidell, Louisiana. It was wonderful to personally distribute supplies to those who needed it most. It was great to see the happiness and gratitude the victims expressed when they heard we were firefighters from New York. -- Ed Walsh
http://www.realtree.com/community/news.php?ID=907
Donating the remaing team Realtree/Squad4