The gushies - by razpad44
April 15, 2008 OMEFT, Open Minds, Stephenville, UFOs No CommentsI would like to echo those sentiments, admin! Ontos was an amazing compadre in this endeavor. He spent a huge amount of time and effort in preparation for the first ever OMEFT observing period - everyone who was there has first-hand knowledge of this (just look at the packets he prepared for everyone). He asks the right questions at the right times, made things work, kept us on track. A round of applause! 
MissD did a fantastic job connecting the OMEFT to each other and the “outside world” though her web site and posts on the OMF boards. She gave those of you unable to come a window into the proceedings. Your energy and efforts are appreciated deeply by all of us. A deep bow to you, madam! And to your wonderful husband, who also provided critical support, and levity at key times! 
Athena2012 took the initiative to get the caps and T-shirts made and shipped to Stephenville on time. They came out great. She won the award for greatest ordeal to come to Erath County, driving over 1100 miles each way to get there. She also stepped up big on Sunday and Monday when we were short handed, and contributed some critical data gathering and analysis. Plus, her valiant efforts to get that poor little kitten to start feeding (yes, we had a animal rescue event mixed in). A hip hip hooray for athena!
TheAvenger (and Mrs. Emma Peale ) contributed in so many ways - from the critical supplying of cold beer to Avenger’s ancillary pre-dawn lookout sessions, and additional background info on the Bosque County airbase (not to mention goat feeding). Another hip hip hooray!
Motorcyclerick was our Marines and Special Forces wrapped into one. He established the beachhead and provided all manner of advance reconnaissance that helped us get to work without wasting a lot of time and effort. McRick has been everything except shy, chasing down all manner of leads before, during and after the IOP. And of course, his most valuable characteristic - his abilities with a side of beef!! Ten years from now, we will all be seeing a national chain of “Motorcyle Rick’s Authentic Texas BBQ” restaurants, featuring smoked brisket. Hats off to you, my friend!
Sparky (who looks nothing like the mischievous kid in his avatar 
) brought the same level-headed analysis to the IOP that he does to the forums. He is another inquiring mind who wants to know the truth. I hope that by process of elimination, we can all get there together. Thank you sincerely for coming!
Constellation212, thanks for coming despite your recent apprehensions. You came the greatest distance (another prize) and had to make some sacrifices in your schedule to make the trip. It was great to have you there, and I hope you found it to be worthwhile. If the event itself was not quite what you were anticipating a couple of weeks before, I believe it may have been an important and helpful turning point for you going forward. Peace to you.
Houtexan, who may have been the big winner of the sweepstakes! We’re dying to see what you captured on camera! His crew on Saturday night reported a sighting that was consistent with one of the forms of UFOs that have been recently seen in the area. Get that report in to Ontos, dude, so we can see what we’ve got! Kudos!
Big thanks and hugs to ajoiner and sherlane, who have been such a key part of our efforts, and keeping us plugged in to the local scene and all the great investigative work and reporting that you are doing!! AJ is a gem (some used the word “brassy” 
) who won’t quit until she has the truth! Her picture should be in the dictionary next to the word “journalist”. And sherlane has been a key player and jack-of-all-trades, helping AJ and the larger effort in so many ways, told and untold. Advice to everyone out there - never get on these women’s bad side! 
The biggest thanks of all, of course, go to sorrells and to his family, first of all for putting up with us bunch of nutjobs for the weekend , for opening up your home to us, and also for having the courage to do what needs to be done, say what needs to be said, and not taking the easy way out. We understand, painfully understand, what a mess these events have made of your life, and the careful tightrope you walk everyday to try and do what’s right by your family, your community, and yahoos like us 
, yet be honest all the while. No matter what ideas or preconceptions we came with, we all left with a deep respect and admiration for your character, your savvy, and your determination. A standing ovation for you, my friend!!
Finally, thanks to Steve Allen for coming out and meeting us all. Now the whole world knows about your red Hummer! Thanks to Cosmic Observer, who helped with some of the prep work including designing the report forms. Regrets to oboe and wade, who had to cancel late - we missed you and you missed a lot. Thanks to verum for spending Sunday afternoon with with Ontos and myself. I think everyone will be seeing an interview on openmindsforum.com in the near future on his family connection to the Roswell incident to complement the Earl Fulford interview. Thanks to ramz and the participants in the RV experiment - we hope to get that report together soon . Big thanks to the OMF honchos, especially surferdoc and ivo5000 who helped us get this off the ground, and admin for his omnipresent benevolent adminhoodness . Garuda, ufonaut,…too many to remember, but we appreciate you all! And, last but not least, thanks to spinningshields for all she has done on and behind the scenes in a number of roles that have made this more fun, interesting and successful that it would have been otherwise.
Alright, I’m all gushed out… 
