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Bravery and Resilience of a Marine – Carl Kirksey

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By Jessica Crabtree 

November 11 we celebrate Veterans Day. It is a day specifically intended for honoring and thanking all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is a minor way to express our appreciation to those who served in any capacity, living or since passed. These are the people cut from a different cloth, the people able to make the sacrifice you and I weren’t able to.

These are the people who carried the world on their shoulders, bravely forged on into enemy lines and fought for our freedom. Young and old, these people were husbands, sons, boyfriends, brothers and sisters, friends and family members. Some had dreams and aspirations that never came to pass after giving the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. This article honors each and every man or woman who served. We thank you today, and every day, for your unselfish attitude, unwavering courage and ability to lay your life down for your fellow man. You are the true version of a hero.

Carl Kirksey was born in Wichita Falls and raised at Amon G. Carter Lake in Bowie before it was even a lake. In fact, his family bought the first lot. His youth consisted of long summer days with his parents, siblings and cousins on the lake water skiing. He even recalled memories of making pyramids while skiing on the water, and always being on the bottom.
His raising was as American as they come: a mom, dad and large family sharing memories at the lake, barbecue and belief in God. Kirksey graduated from SH Ryder in Wichita Falls in 1964. That same year, on July 16, an 18-year-old Kirksey joined the United States Marine Corp.

“In 1964 there was a draft. You were just waiting for your notice to show up in the mailbox. Back then you had to show your draft status when applying for a job,” Kirksey explained. At the time Kirksey was a 1A to draft and working for a construction company when a new straw boss was hired and fired anyone younger than 25. His reason was because he thought anyone that young should be in college. “In a fit of inspiration, we flipped a coin and decided to get our time over with.” To the young Kirksey, he liked the outdoors, the military and was active in ROTC throughout high school.

In July of 1964, Kirksey reported to San Diego, Calif. A month later, the Tonkin Gulf affair occurred. It was the entrance into the Vietnam War. Attending boot camp, he said, “We didn’t watch television there. We were totally isolated. But after the Tonkin Gulf Affair our drill sergeant brought in a television, and we watched as President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the situation,” Kirksey said. He went on to describe, “We knew our career had just changed. We were going from spit shine to combat. Everything took a more serious note.”

Kirksey was the first totally blind student to attend Midwestern State University, graduating May 12, 1990. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Kirksey)

Kirksey visiting with Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Herbert J. Sweet while at the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Kirksey)

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Country Lifestyles

Nominations Open for National Golden Spur and Working Cowboy Awards

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Ranching and Livestock Industries Seek Nominations for Top Awards

Nominations are now open for the National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association (RHA) Working Cowboy Award.

Nominations can be submitted at goldenspurhonors.com or paper forms can be downloaded from the site and mailed. Nominations for 2024 recipients will be open through May 1.

“The National Golden Spur Award is the most prestigious national honor given to one person by the ranching and livestock industries,” explained Jim Bret Campbell, executive director of the Ranching Heritage Association and National Ranching Heritage Center.  “The addition of the RHA Working Cowboy Award has allowed the industry to recognize those folks who take care of livestock on a daily basis.”

National Golden Spur Award

The National Golden Spur Award is presented in recognition of exceptional accomplishments by an individual. Established in 1978, the award has been conferred upon iconic industry leaders whose unparalleled devotion to land and livestock has earned them notable respect and admiration from their peers.

Presentation of the National Golden Spur Award is a joint annual recognition given by six of the leading national and state ranching and livestock organizations: American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The National Golden Spur Award recipient is selected by a committee of ranching and livestock industry leaders and contributors. One recipient is chosen annually from this national pool. The winner is recognized at the National Golden Spur Award Honors event in Lubbock, Texas, and honored with the “The Rancher” bronze-sculpture presentation piece.

Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award

The Ranching Heritage Association (RHA) Working Cowboy Award recognizes outstanding individuals who make a living primarily in the saddle, caring for livestock and the land on a daily basis. The recipient must be skilled in all aspects of ranch work and respected by the ranch crew and ranching community.

The RHA Working Cowboy Award recipient is selected by a committee of ranching peers from nominations received.  One recipient is chosen annually from this national pool.  The winner is recognized at the National Golden Spur Award Honors event in Lubbock, Texas, and presented with a pair of custom spurs and a $5,000 cash award.

For additional information about the awards, past recipients, and 2024 event, visit goldenspurhonors.com.

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Country Lifestyles

100 Percent Cowboy

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By Dal Houston

A couple of weeks ago I was out of town on business, and while I was stopped at a red light, directly in front of me was a pickup with a large sticker covering the entire rear window that read, “100% COWBOY.”

As I looked at this sticker, my mind immediately began considering what this person was hoping to communicate, as opposed to what it actually communicated to me. Before getting to the heart of this story, I want to be clear that it does not affect you nor me in the least whether some person in some other community is or is not a “cowboy.” Nor does it matter whether you consider being a cowboy a good thing or a bad thing. What I find interesting about this scenario is it is an interesting example of human’s attempts to try to get attention to frame themselves in a seemingly favorable light.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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Country Lifestyles

When a City Girl Goes Country: Bucket List Dreaming

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By Annette Bridges

I can not say sitting on a bull was ever on my bucket list, but it was fun to be reminded of the occasion. Our daughter came across this gem of a photo of her mamma when unpacking a storage box that had not been opened in many years.

Seeing the photo made me wonder if there are other daring adventures or feats I should add to my to-do list. I certainly do not believe it is ever too late to learn something new or experience something never done before.

When I think about the word dare, my first memories recall hearing it as a child. It might have been a moment when I was facing some obstacle, or a hill to climb, and a friend would exclaim, “I dare you to!”

Back in those days, hearing that exclamation would have sparked my determination to prove I could do whatever I suspected my friend, or brother, thought I could not or would not do.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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