Wolfhound Board Donation
In midst of the seemingly endless cycle of deployments for our fellow service members, an idea was born on the island of Oahu. A notion to give back to those who have given and continue to give so much, inspired by the freedom we share as Americans that is literally provided through the efforts of the few, gave origin to the concept. Derived from the mind of a true patriot, Johnny Moore, the owner of Strong Current Surf Shop and Grass Skirt Grille in the town of Haleiwa, Hawaii, a board was conceived.
Prior to 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds”, 25th Infantry Division’s third deployment in five years to Iraq in October of 2008 the unit commander, avid surfer, and one of HMSO’s Leaders, LTC Raul Gonzalez along with the owner of Strong Current Surf Shop and HMSO Sponsor Johnny Moore, imagined the plan to design and build a custom surfboard unique to and representative of the Wolfhound Spirit and Pride. One of Oahu’s top shapers, Mike Casey, shaped the raw surfboard blank and then passed it off to Airworks Hawaii where Ralph made it into a wood board with the unit’s colors and a unit coin matted into the raw foam. Finally, Boardworks Hawaii’s best glasser, Haratio, was able to glass the board and polish it with pride. The board was completed prior to the unit’s departure for all to see and was hung with care in a reverent state within the hallowed corridor of Eternity Hall. There it would sit for twelve months waiting for the moment when the new and auspicious owner would lay his or her hands upon it. That day would be the very lucky day, Friday the 13th of November, 2009.
During the Wolfhounds long and arduous tour in Iraq the unit faced much adversity and had its fair share of victory and a bit of heartache. One day in particular the unit tragically lost one of its own and had another seriously wounded in an IED attack outside of Bayji, Iraq. The unit remained resolute and steadfast to each other and their mission and redeployed recently after achieving much success. To honor their fallen warrior they decided that the money raised from the board raffle would go to the deceased Soldier’s family in remembrance of their Son and the unit’s beloved comrade. The wounded buddy would watch the raffle from his wheelchair knowing that all the money that was raised was going to his deceased compatriot’s family. It is really just a small gesture, but all the small gestures that we all do in remembrance add up and mean a great deal to those left behind.
HMSO was asked to be the “Master of Ceremonies” and facilitate what would be an exciting and drama filled raffle in D Quad of Schofield Barracks; the long and storied home of the 27th Infantry Regiment. There were of course, some T-Shirts initially pulled from the ticket bucket, and even a dinner for a family. But it was the coveted surfboard at the end that all were waiting for patiently. Even the Division Commander, Major General Robert L. Caslen looked on! It was there where the one fortunate person’s sole ticket would be plucked as if from thin air, worthless in itself but priceless for what it would be exchanged for. The unit sold well over 2,200 tickets at $1 a piece to those interested in owning a piece of surfing and unit history. The President of HMSO, Chaz Bowser pulled the providential ticket and a young junior enlisted Soldier’s name was called and life changed forever. These are the moments we live for. These are the times we will remember and hold on to as we paddle for the next wave. Sharing the stoke and glide with those who deserve it the most is why we are here.
