VETERANS, Nick & Johnny

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
Archer & Varner Supporting the Troops

What a night this is going to be!

Nick Varner & Johnny Archer are going to be holding an exhibition in a small town in Missouri that is packed full of veterans returning from overseas duty.

Mark Cantrill was looking for some ideas and he knew that I hold our troops in the highest regard and asked me for some ideas for this event.

You were my very first suggestion and I asked Mark if it would be OK to post a thread about this. AZ Billiards Main Forum members have never failed to amaze me with their collective wisdom about a wide range of subjects and this one won't be any different I'm sure.

This is a rather large but new pool room located in Saint Robert, MO about 30 minutes from Springfield, MO. It's holding capacity is approximately 350 people and attendance should be rather high.

The name of the pool room which has only been open for about a month is called Q's Billiards.

The minimum number of expected servicemen to be there for the exhibition is 95. It happens NEXT Friday, April 3.

Your ideas will be sincerely appreciated.

I've already given Mark a couple of ideas and now I'll turn the floor over to you. Time is short and resources are limited, so I will ask that you take that into consideration when making suggestions.

What ideas do you have to make this a memorable exhibition in honor of our returning soldiers?

THANKS!

JoeyA
 
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Neil said:
Have one of them do the Butterfly shot. 6 balls in different pockets in one shot. The cb is a U.S. G.I., and the ob's al AQ. Should go over good. One GI gets a whole slew of alquieda (sp??) in one shot.

Make sure you start everything with the playing of the National Anthem. You can easily have someone at the room get a tape recorder. Have a moment of silence for all those that didn't make it back. The theme could be something like "Let Freedom Ring". Maybe do some trick shots that involve a circle or a ring of some type.

I don't know how to go about it, maybe some dye or something. But it would be pretty cool if you could make the table cloth look like an American flag.

Maybe they can figure out a way to do the trickshot where you shoot a ball into a bag, (terrorist hiding in there) and then the cb comes back out after flipping the bag, and a small flag then pops up out of the bag. Flag could be on a pen spring and bent over, then the ball hitting it frees it to pop out.???
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LOL Niel I thing you had some great ideas there that I will really try and make happen. The last one made me laugh because I am not sure if anyone other than god can make all that happen. Thanks for the advice though.

We really want to make this night special and take care of the people who have been taking care of us. I hope we come close to doing them justice but there is no way to really repay these guys other that picking up a weapon and heading out.
 
Q's Billiards, Saint Robert, MO.

A photographer taking lots of pictures with the veterans posing with two of the best players the world has ever seen.

The photos could be developed and printed and sent to the pool hall at a later date and the soldiers could keep some and the pool hall could keep extras.

Oh yeah, bring on the ladies. That'll bring a smile to their faces. Nothing like some American beauties to lift a soldier's spirit. :grin:

I will remember that pool room and visit when traveling in that area for sure.

I wonder if there are any Patriotic colored pool balls. I thought I saw some once.

Now if you could get this table to the event: http://www.xtremecustombilliards.co...id/28?osCsid=7a12aa8b648541a4203b4793af8ffd64
JoeyA
 
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I guess I'll be through St. Robert a couple months too late for this. I have family there and will be stopping by on my way to Korea. Just knowing that they have a new pool hall there and that they are hosting this for the troops gives me a good reason to stop in and say thanks to the people who own the place.

As far as doing something special for soldiers goes, going to put on a show for them is the biggest part. Just the fact that you are doing it for them shows how much they are appreciated. That goes a lot farther than special colored balls or decorations. Anything extra you do is nice. Just making the effort definitely starts the whole "respect goes both ways" thing. I've always been a fan of these two stars, and this just makes my respect for them grow stronger. Even though I don't get to attend tell everyone involved that this soldier says thanks

GFC
 
A nice spread of free food would be nice for the troops :)

Bring on the BBQ!! Or you could just call it Q
 
-Food is a must even if its just cold cuts. Announce that the food is ready to be served and that all veterans will be served first. Have the civilians in attendance form a tunnel of pride. The Veterans then must stand in line in this tunnel. Hands shakes, pats on the back, and sincere heartfelt thanks from every civilian to every Veteran can do wonders. Shaking 90+ hands drives the point home that we are proud of them!

-Beautiful Girls to assist in the whole process...maybe in portions they could assist Nick and Johnny.
 
GFC said:
As far as doing something special for soldiers goes, going to put on a show for them is the biggest part. Just the fact that you are doing it for them shows how much they are appreciated. That goes a lot farther than special colored balls or decorations. Anything extra you do is nice. Just making the effort definitely starts the whole "respect goes both ways" thing. I've always been a fan of these two stars, and this just makes my respect for them grow stronger. Even though I don't get to attend tell everyone involved that this soldier says thanks

GFC
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I must agree with GFC. You have some great ideas, but just having this event is a great thing, and from a vet Thanks to you and everyone else putting on this event for the soldiers.

Have the US, state and POW-MIA flag standing tall so when you play the national anthem every can face.
I too will not be able to attend but from me and my family tell the soldiers "Thank you."

The Land of th Free, because of the Brave.
 
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Mention that BCA Hall of Famer Joe Balsis served in the Coast Guard during World War II. After his Coast guard days, he returned to professional pool and won numerous major titles. Veterans may get a kick out of knowing that one of their own went on to be a World pool champion.
 
Don't forget the Welcome Home banner.

Vets typically don't need a lot of pomp and ceremony. The simplicity of a small event to recognize their service
makes the statement that "people care".

Putting out some bbq, maybe a keg, having the pros, etc all make for a nice event.
Contact the local paper so they can cover the event.
 
Johnny and Nick should each (in turn) pick one Vet out of the group and show them a shot and teach them how to shoot it. Any shot is cool. The other Vets will love it, and crack up laughing at their buddy who is trying to learn the shot.
 
I am looking into getting some cues that have Army, Marines etc on them. This was Joeya's idea, we know they are not the best cues but they represent.
I am also working with Jim Murnak Cases to have a real nice leather case that has engraved "The Legends and Champions Pool Tour thank you for your service" These are kinda expensive and can only get one I think with the help of Jim Murnak. I have no idea who we will even give it to but I will let the room owner know that anyone who shows up in uniform will have a chance at winning something special. Thanks for you ideas. We appreciate it.
Mark,
 
topgun09 said:
I must agree with GFC. You have some great ideas, but just having this event is a great thing, and from a vet Thanks to you and everyone else putting on this event for the soldiers.

Have the US, state and POW-MIA flag standing tall so when you play the national anthem every can face.
I too will not be able to attend but from me and my family tell the soldiers "Thank you."

The Land of th Free, because of the Brave.
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Q's Billiards is owned and managed by four soldiers so while I have never been in the place, I AM POSITIVE that FLAGS are a mainstay of this establishment. With pool rooms closing around the country, it is nice to hear of a new one opening its doors.

A special thanks to Mark Cantrill, Nick and Johnny for wanting to make this exhibition something special for our soldiers.

JoeyA

The ideas are great. Keep them coming.
 
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JoeyA said:
Q's Billiards is owned and managed by four former soldiers so while I have never been in the place, I AM POSITIVE that FLAGS are a mainstay of this establishment. With pool rooms closing around the country, it is nice to hear of a new one opening its doors.

A special thanks to Mark Cantrill, Nick and Johnny for wanting to make this exhibition something special for our soldiers.

JoeyA

The ideas are great. Keep them coming.
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Joey, the 4 owners are STILL serving. They are doing a great job in running the place together and each take turns when the others are working. This can't be easy but they are all officers and so have alot of experience in organization and keeping a set way of day to day operations.
 
bfdlad said:
Joey, the 4 owners are STILL serving. They are doing a great job in running the place together and each take turns when the others are working. This can't be easy but they are all officers and so have alot of experience in organization and keeping a set way of day to day operations.
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My bad. I corrected my post. Thanks Mark! I appreciate that distinction VERY MUCH as well as the additional details.

When I walk through the airports and see the young men and women dressed in fatigues traveling off to who knows where, risking their very lives serving our country's interests, I always try to make their trip a little more pleasant if it is nothing more than a nod and a smile of appreciation.

For those of you who might wonder what to say to a soldier in uniform, you might simply ask him or her where he or she is headed and where he or she just traveled from. It is always a good opener and you never know where it might lead.

JoeyA
 
I just Spoke to Nick Varner who as some of you know has his own line of Cues. He has 2 that are camouflaged all over and he thought that may tie in so he is donating those cues also. I have seen them and didn't think much about it but I also think that now is the perfect for what we are doing. Thanks NIck.
 
I've been fortunite enough to meet Nick a couple of times and he's a great guy.

Can someone let me know what it cost to book them? I would love to have both come to Altus AFB and do a show. We're pretty remote, so the chances of it happening are slim to none, but still....

Jim
 
jhendri2 said:
I've been fortunite enough to meet Nick a couple of times and he's a great guy.

Can someone let me know what it cost to book them? I would love to have both come to Altus AFB and do a show. We're pretty remote, so the chances of it happening are slim to none, but still....

Jim
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My number is 480-612-7732 and my name is Mark. Give me a call and due to it being a Military thing we will do what we can to make it happen nomatter where you are. Or just email me at cantrillmark@yahoo.com. Thanks
 
bfdlad said:
I am looking into getting some cues that have Army, Marines etc on them. This was Joeya's idea, we know they are not the best cues but they represent.
I am also working with Jim Murnak Cases to have a real nice leather case that has engraved "The Legends and Champions Pool Tour thank you for your service" These are kinda expensive and can only get one I think with the help of Jim Murnak. I have no idea who we will even give it to but I will let the room owner know that anyone who shows up in uniform will have a chance at winning something special. Thanks for you ideas. We appreciate it.
Mark,
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first ive got to say what mark aka tweels, nick ,johnny are doing is great.

i remember having a chance to see kim davenport do an exibition in the early 90s.

i had to work and my boss wouldnt let me get off work to watch.
i was bummed and almost quit my job too see it.
that being said anybody who gets a chance to see those pros outta go and my hats off to mark and the players for doing it.

as far as this exibition for the military i think thats great.
i live in a huge naval area of pensacola fl so ive made friends with alot of military.

these are the guys who risk their lives for our freedom and i for sure respect ,admire and have a soft spot in my heart for those people.

actually my secret dream was to be a fighter pilot,or fbi agent and might would quit pool today if they would take me.

anyway i became a poolplayer and probably the most dangerous thing i have to deal with is having a ball skid on me hill,hill.lol
the same cannot be said for those guys because when the shit hits the fan they go running bravely towards the enemy.

this is a tiny gesture compared to what the military does for me but i would be thrilled too donate 2 ob shafts for that exebition to be auctioned off or whatever mark johnny and nick sees fit.

good luck to the legends and champions tour its one of the best things ive seen come along ,good job tweels.
 
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