A family friend of ours who is also a forum member just sent me an SS4 w/ pants (which were made by another forum member) - one of the most gracious things anyone has ever done for me. His actions got me thinking about some other things that have happened to me as a result of the great people here in the Yard. I've had a few forum members send me lanyards (and a D guard!). My Hook was purchased for me by a forum member as a proxy when I couldn't be around for the release. I totally missed out on the CG Keeper offering, and one of the guys had Patti divert one of his my way. My MOD was ordered for me through a proxy as well, as I had to be away. A member here gifted me with an Ontario Rat TAK, complete with a sheath made by yet another forum member (which completed my set of Ontario Rat fixed blades!). One of our regulars generously offered to and made a trade w/ my father to ensure that his first piece of INFI was exactly what he had wanted (the one he got initially was "sterile," which wasn't mentioned in the sale post). A sheath maker here at the Yard has made me two sheaths gratis this past year, I've only actually purchased 4 from him. I've gotten my hands on steel that I'd never be able to afford as the result of a passaround. Dan sent us JYD's challenge coins several months back, just for being loyal customers. Patti threw in a Scrapper pen for me on an order I got recently. I can't begin to say how much great advice and knowledge I've gotten from you guys as well. All of these things have happened just because I hang out here in the Yard. I've also had the opportunity to meet three Dawgs in person during my/their travels in the past few months. I don't think that I can imagine a more closely knit online community than the one we've created here at Scrapyard. I haven't mentioned any names... there are so many of you who have impacted my life, and none of you did any of these things to get "kudos" from me on a public forum. I just wanted to say "thank you" again, for your generosity.

I've done my best to help out when I can as well. I've acted as a proxy for the DM release, and for a DFLE for two guys here at the forum. I want to mention that I'm here to help out any time I can. Both of the times I was a proxy, it was totally out of the blue - and I was both glad and honored to help!

I've seen this forum pull together and pool their money to honor a wounded war hero who is a forum member, to thank a generous sheath maker with a custom stamp, to help make a brighter Christmas for a fine man who was experiencing financial hardship and personal health struggles, to support the Boss and his family as they walked for a cure for diabetes, we've sent money to the sick kids foundation in Canada... I am proud to have been able to be a part of all of those - and look forward to helping more people in our Scrapyard family down the road.

Here's a pic of my current Scrapper lineup - many of which I wouldn't even have if it weren't for my brothers (and sisters!) in the Yard. Thanks again, friends!

-Dan Rice