| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Howdy LW friends - having a busy summer and I imagine most of you are too. FDP and I head to So Texas soon to do shows at the Texas Hunters and Sportsmen’s Expo. Promises to be a great weekend, our third summer in a row.
I wanted to share a heart breaking story with you. Many of you know I am close to Dick Mauch, one of the last of the true pioneers of archery. He is 93 and will turn 94 this fall. Anyway, about ten years ago while doing shows in a Omaha, Nebraska Dick and I were backstage and he gave me a priceless keepsake. It was his father’s Masonic ring and was over 100 years old. It fit perfectly and I have worn it every day since. It’s a quiet reminder of a good friend.
I know some people buy or collect things from archery icons. I don’t. I do have special things Fred Bear, etc and others gave me over the years and I save those things but I don’t “collect” things. I only have items from people I have known, except for a few items given to me. Anyway, this Masonic ring has always been very special to me. As a Mason and as a friend this is a very cool ring.
So this Spring while on vacation with my family my fingers were swelling due to the heat. They never do this so I took my wedding band and Masonic ring off and put them in my pocket. We were flying home early the next morning. When I got up, I got dressed and ready to go to the airport. I put my watch on, my wedding band and my elephant hair bracelet but the Masonic ring was not to be found. It was gone. I was afraid it had fallen out of my pocket or that I’d accidentally lost it when I emptied my pockets. When we got home to Texas I called the hotel. They searched the room and didn’t find it. They opened a file on it but eventually called and closed it. My ring was gone. Forever.
The hardest note I ever wrote was to Dick to tell him the ring was gone. I also followed up and called him. He was very understanding. But I was mad at myself knowing this ring was in his family more than 100 years and I didn’t have it ten. It was a terrible feeling.
I watched eBay like a hawk, hoping to one like it. Yo no avail. This one is a special ring. I even had one jeweler that offered to make one almost identical, which would have been expensive. But he could not find a stone shaped like my old ring.
Fast forward about two months. This morning before Church I was cleaning out my oldest son’s backpack to pack it for a basketball tournament after Church. I tossed away chip bags, debris, etc. Then... I spotted something in the bottom of the black backpack! My eyes are sharp and I knew instantly what it was!
The Ring! How? I have no idea. It must have fallen off the dresser and into his pack?!? I don’t know. I don’t care. The fact is that it was not lost forever. I put it on my finger and we headed to church.
This afternoon between ball games I called Dick to share the news. That was a great call. This ring will king be a constant reminder and quiet reminder of a great man, mentor, role model and friend- Dick Mauch. One of the greats.
Frank
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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I snapped this of Dick at a show in ponca- we had this cabin and it was great.
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| From: yooper-travler
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Frank that’s great you found it. As a mason who also has had a ring passed to me I know what they mean to us brother.
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| From: RonG
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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I understand how you felt, my mother gave me her fathers NY Central Railroad watch, he was an engineer on the old steam engines.
In this case it was stolen and regardless, I was destroyed, if I had found the criminal I would probably be in prison. I have suffered ever since and that was 40 years ago.
A gift no matter what it's value is directly related to the friendship and memory of the person who gave it to you.
I am glad you found it, I never take my rings off......my luck Ha!Ha!
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Backstage with Theo. I did a show at one of Ted’s events and Dick set it up. Three friends who all miss Fred Bear.
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| From: Danielb
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Thank God to a great end to a great story!
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| From: Sarge
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Hey Brother Basin Springs #386. Shalom
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| From: yooper-travler
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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PM Crystal Falls Iron River lodge #385
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| From: ButchMo
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Very, very happy for you.
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| From: Wayne Hess
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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IT’A GREAT DAY and Good times to cherish. Frank have a good one.
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| From: Jon Stewart
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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St Anthony was with you
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| From: fdp
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Glad you found that ring Frank. I know you were really upset over having misplaced it.
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| From: Billy Shipp
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Cool story, so glad you found it.
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| From: S. North
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Good deal glad you found it I had a similar experience about four years ago I was working out in our local gym and looked down and found a beautiful diamond studded man's ring on the floor I picked it up looked at it and knew this was someones special ring I didn't want to turn and then afraid that whoever I gave it to maybe try to pawn it off I kept it in my locker and after three weeks no one seem to be asking for it so I actually had it appraised it went for over $5000 I told myself I was doing nothing with it until a year about three weeks later I saw a picture of the ring on the front door of the gym saying if found please call I called the number and told the gentleman I may have his ring I met him at the gym the next day he was a young cocky 20-year-old I made him identify it without looking at it he told me it was his dad's and his dad passed away several years ago and his mother gave it to him I chewed him out for losing his dad Drain and told him he needs to start growing up and being more responsible with his family heirlooms after he correctly identified it down to the tea I gave it to him and I said I hope your dad's watching and I hope he is a little bit upset with you for losing his ring he left with apparently a different i'm glad you found your ring
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Mauch is not only an archery icon, he is a great American. Love this guy.
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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I snapped this of Dick and Carol at Tom Ferry’s Place in Nebraska.
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| From: Tim Cousineau
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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The only time i wear my grandfathers masonic ring is when i go to lodge. Im afraid i will loose it or break it.Cripple Creek #96.
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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I always enjoy handing the mic over to Dick during shows when he is there. I know no matter what he says - from an Edgar Guest poem to singing the Nationals antnem, it will be first class advice. Such wisdom !
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| From: Babysaph
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Glad to see old Ted in the middle.
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| From: Jeffhalfrack
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| Date: 14-Jul-19 |
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Dang That ring is what made me get nerve to speak to you,glad you found it ,,, Geneva lodge 965 past master ,take care brother . Jeff w
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Babysaph- Stacy Groscup loved Ted, and Dick and I think highly of him also. Great guy. Every time I’ve asked him to help someone he does without question.
Jeff I remember that like it was yesterday pal. That’s been almost ten years ago. Time flies. Logistically I doubt I will ever be back at that event. Anymore I stay so busy and that area is so remote it would be very difficult to get to... it’s a wonderful event but now that I’m in Texas it’s a word away. Although I am coming back to Pittsburgh next winter for shows. ETAR was a long drive back in the day. Anymore I just don’t think I could work it in. But I know Chris Hurt is doing wonderfully and does a great show. He’s a good kid. Although I guess he’s not a kid anymore.
I was sitting at the table when you walked up. My pal Jake was watching you closely because you had a “Pirates” shirt on. Ha. I assured him it was ok... (that was about the time they were making some pretty strange remarks online. Haha)
Anyway, I met so many kind folks that weekend including Ron LaClaire and Jawge and Rocky, etc. many are still my friend to this day, including you.
Frank
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| From: BWANA
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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GLAD YOU FOUND IT BROTHER. LEHIGH LODGE #326. PENNSYLVANIA
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| From: lowrider
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Great news Frank. I was feeling very bad for you and Dick until I got to the end of your story and read the ending.
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| From: 1buckurout
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Great news Frank! Cottageville 54.
Jim Casto, Jr., PM
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| From: JusPassin
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Wonderful news for you Frank. God Bless.
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| From: 76aggie
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Some things were just meant to be.
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| From: bfisherman11
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Glad you found the ring. I spoke to Dick at Compton one year. As we talked about frends that have passed, I could really feel his missing Fred.
Bill
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Bill I’ve sat in on two special campfires with Dick and Carol. The first was when we were hunting at Plum creek. I got word that Glenn St Charles had passed. We had a special campfire ceremony for him, it was a nice tribute. Then when Dick Lattimer passed we had another one.
Dick is one of the last men standing of Fred’s inner circle. They don’t make them like that anymore.
Frank
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| From: darralld
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Glad you found it!
Darrall Dougherty
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Thanks Darrell.
Yeah, I was bummed. There’s lots of Masonic rings you can buy, this one was special.
If you are Jim’s son he was a good man. I performed in tulsa and he cane to the show. Great man.
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| From: RonG
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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I can't wear my Dad's Masonic ring it will only go over my little finger. He was with the Masons since WWII as far as I know.
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| From: fishin coyote
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Good things come to good men. Glad you found it brother, I have my father in-law's masonic rings and only wear them to lodge.
PM of Lodge #408 Meadville,Pa.
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| From: darralld
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Frank, Yes I am. Let me know if you come through Tulsa again. Would be nice to visit.
Darrall Dougherty
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| From: RymanCat
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Wow this is a hard one Frank. Lord watch over his friends and family and God rest his soul.
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| From: Leathercutter
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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It was never lost, Brother Hiram was keeping it for you. Glad you have it back. I have been wearing my Dads for 53 years since this last May. Grant . PM /PDDGM Hiram #21 Winchester Va.
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| From: yooper-travler
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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It’s great to see so many brother masons on this thread.
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| From: Jeffhalfrack
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| Date: 15-Jul-19 |
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Dang ! I forgot that pirates stuff,,,was going on,,again the ring and all it stands for ,it really does seem like yesterday,keep the. Faith bro jeffw
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| From: Matthew Wilson
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| Date: 16-Jul-19 |
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Great story and a terrific ending! I believe a gift was given back to you. Matthew
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 16-Jul-19 |
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Darrell- Your dad was special. A great man. I guess I knew him since I was little, and my father swore by his JDA supernatural arrows. We sold a bunch of those back in the day.
Jim was a pioneer for sure. Great guy. I have a photo of us together somewhere..
Ryman Dick hasn’t passed away. I lost a ring he gave me - and then found it. It was his father’s ring. My Masonic ring.
Sorry if it read like he had passed. He did not. I just talked to him two or three days ago.
Jeff It’s all ok brother. No worries. Great that we got to visit awhile.
Frank
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 16-Jul-19 |
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Cowboy Dick. We were going to a big shindig and he put my cowboy hat. Looks cool with his camo sport coat.
He has a great sense of humor !
Frank
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 16-Jul-19 |
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I performed at the National Pope and Young Convention around 2008/09. That’s Dick and Carol and our friend Sherwood Schoch.
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| From: mangonboat
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Great story, Frank. Treasure lost and found and a fellow who is a treasure.
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Agreed
Dick is a treasure!
Frank
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| From: George Tsoukalas
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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I am glad you found your ring, Frank! It is nice to see photos of archery greats. Seems we have lost touch with archery history. Jawge
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| From: mjh
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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I'm glad you found your ring. The material things of this world are fleeting. The relationships, shared times, and memories bind us together forever.
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| From: kat
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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I couldn't be happier for you. It is great to hear a story with a happy ending in today's world.
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Hearing Dick’s voice when I told him I had the ring was Amazing ! He was as happy as I was.
Yeah, made my day for sure.
Frank
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Amen. Yeah, we were joining a new church that morning. Sounds reasonable to me.
Frank
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| From: garnet65
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Great outcome. I'm happy for you and hope you never lose something that precious ever again.
WMM
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| From: TGbow
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Glad you found the ring. Good deal
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| From: Sarge
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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The Man that had that ring had to work hard for the right to wear it by learning all three degree's of Masonary! I know, I am a Master Mason and so is my dad. Shalom
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| From: Silverback
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| Date: 17-Jul-19 |
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Very happy that you found it because to you that ring was priceless.
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 18-Jul-19 |
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Sarge Glad to hear you travel too.
Frank
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| From: AspirinBuster
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| Date: 19-Jul-19 |
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I talked with Dick yesterday. Always happy to talk to this legend. The ring is a quiet reminder of a good man.
Frank
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