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Executive Director’s Report

published: April 2nd 2010
by: Bill Hyman
source: ICA Of Texas

Sometimes in life you just get a breath of fresh air out of nowhere, and it makes you realize how lucky we are. Last week I was a speaker at the Texas State University Freeman Ranch Field Day discussing the economics of ranching with the agriculture students. My part of the Field Day was probably not as interesting as the “hands on” demonstrations conducted by Ag Professor Hardin Rahe and the Freeman Ranch staff. The students participating in the event sorted cattle, palpated cows and actually worked the calves. Both girls and boys worked to complete their assigned tasks under the supervision of the experienced staff. Later, it was refreshing to visit with the young minds and to learn about their views of agriculture and to discuss their plans for the future in our industry. While we may be worried about taxes, risings costs and government regulations, the students are totally different in that they are inspired and optimistic about the future of agriculture.
    While I was there, I observed a young man who I must tell you about. This young man was a Marine who had served in Iraq. While there, he was involved in an IED explosion and was severely injured. He sustained life-threatening injuries and lost most of his sight. He was told he would have to use crutches to walk and was treated in Army hospitals for more than two years. He is now a student at TSU and is majoring in Wildlife Science. He hopes to someday work with Texas whitetail deer breeders and game managers. When he is not in class, he WALKS five miles out to the Freeman Ranch to work as a volunteer. Being legally blind he cannot drive a vehicle or ride a bike, so he gets there the best way he can. Neighboring ranchers now recognize him, and as often as not, he catches a ride along the way. Whether it is bottle-feeding a baby goat or feeding cattle he diligently does his assigned duties without pay, only hoping to gain ranching experience. He now walks without crutches or a cane, and after seven eye surgeries to remove shrapnel and implant lenses, he now has limited eyesight. He is married and has a family on top of being a fulltime student. The enthusiasm he possesses for the future is second to none. His only regret is that he can no longer serve his country as he was trained. He has picked up the pieces and is doing the best he can do. This spirit of “can do” is also very evident in many of our younger generation, so the next time you hear about young folks running amuck, just remember this young Marine and his family. If at all possible, he and his family will be joining the ICA Family in College Station for our summer convention. Hopefully, you will get to meet him and his family there and share his optimism for agriculture and life.
ICA