State Trooper R. J. Helton called Donnie Meshells mother Linda a few weeks ago to ask if they could get Donnie some thing. Trooper Helton heard that Donnie had a dream to be a P B R. (Professional Bull Rider) he made a few calls to plan a day with Chris Shivers. It was going be a day at his ranch, Donnie, his parents, Trooper Helton and Chris family. Well one call came to many other calls. Before Trooper Helton knows it was going be a very big day for Donnie.
Donnie Meshell 6 year old from Zwolle (son of Joe and Linda Meshell) was diagnosed with cancer Sep. 26,2001. His last three years has been sent in and out of St. Jude in Memphis Tenn. He had four surgery (last one Jan. 2004) and chemotherapy. That face with freckles across his face never stops smiling.
Trooper Helton, Trooper Steve Pezant and Troopers Jeff Evans would pull up to get Donnie and his parents on Sep. 21. They would go threw town with the lights and sirens on. Every one was looking to see what was going on. There was a RV (Donnie called it a big bus) waiting bye I49 to take them the rest of the way. First stop was at the State Trooper office in Alexandra with a new pair of jeans, cowboy shirt, and a belt from the Troopers. AA Western Wear presented Donnie with Ostrich-skin boots and a cowboy hat. Mrs. Mickey Doty from Pineville made a home make quilt with a bull on it for Donnie.
Off to Jackie’s restaurant in Jonesville to have lunch.
Donnie was speechless when Chris Shivers walk up to the table. Chris set down bye Donnie and before long they was talking like old friends. Chris had a T-shirt from last weekend rodeo that all the guys signed, posters signed from Mike White, Cory Melton, Brent Vincent, Trent Amedee, and Corey Navarre. Bubba Dunn also signed (2) poster, but sent his number that goes on the back of he vest.
Donnie told Chris that his favorite bull was Little Yellow Jacket, the same bull that tossed Chris earlier this year for a chance to win $1 million.
Donnie (or his parents) didn’t thank this day could get any better. They just didn’t know.
After lunch Chris and his son joined the Meshell family in the RV. The trooper turned on the lights and sirens and off they went to Chris’s ranch out of Harrisonburg.
Donnie had more stuff waiting for him there. Jeans, cowboys shirt, P BR vest and chaps, a dress cowboy hat, a bag to put his rope and glove in (from Chris). Chris also sign and pined his #1 on the back of Donnie’s vest. Donnie didn’t know that there were more Troopers (about 10) outside putting up a Bucking machine that was given bye the “I Wish” programmed.
Everyone was standing around Donnie riding his bucking machine when Chris came out of his house and told Donnie to ride his best for 8 sec. Chris told him he gave him a score of 99 and he won a P BR buckle. No one spoke as Christ put his 2003 Mohegan Sun P B R buckle on Donnie’s belt. Later Donnie told his mom that he couldn’t say any thing because he was telling his self not to cry - cowboys don’t cry.
Chris took Donnie off for about 30 min on the 4-wheeler so they could have time without the TV cambers and newspaper reports.
Alexandra TV 5, The Town Talk (Alexandra), Jonesville newspaper, and Harrisonburg paper covered the story.
This was a hard day for Donnie he sleep most of the way home till we got back to Natchitoches. Natchitoches newspaper picked up the story and the sheriff Victor Jones Jr. of Natchitoches also joined with two dozens home made cookies.
Next stop would be home for the Meshell.
The day wasn’t over till everyone got hugs.
Thank you to Mr. And Mrs. Charles Cloud from Goldonna, La. for driving their RV , and time.
Verdi Doty , she lost her daughter to cancer many years ago and a son in an automobile accident. Part of her healing process she has began making quilts for the trooper for the “ I Wish “ program..
Jackie’s restaurant for lunch.
AA Western Wear , Alexandra La.
Some 85 troopers of Troop E for their donations.
Natchitoches Detention Center for home made cookies.
To all the news papers that covered this story.
This day was very special for everyone, and will never be forgotten.
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Donnie 1st. Hunt
Six year old Donnie Meshell of Zwolle visit Triple J. Elk Ranch ( www.elkrus.com )out of Center Texas Dec. 10 - 14 - 04. The trip was courtesy of Hunt Of A Lifetime ( www.huntofalifetime.com ) out of Harborcreek, Pa. And Crow and Leah Carrico from Beaumont, Texas.Donnie was set up with every thing for the trip. Hunting cloths, caps, gloves,boots, and a bag to pack every thing in.
Savage Arms, Inc. out of Suffield , Co. sent him a 243 rifle and Zwolle Pawn Shop accepted the rifle and had all the legalities settled for the rifle. Pendleton Gun and Pawn Shop donated ammunition, earmuffs and water boots. He was ready to get a buck and a doe.
On Saturday he let two 7 point go bye, he said they was to small. On Sunday he got a 8 point. He missed his first shot but didn’t wait he got it on a run. He didn’t get his doe but he was happy going home with the 8 pointer.
After Donnie came home from St. Jude we went back to the ranch to visit. Mr. Fleming told Donnie that after we left he was out riding his 4- wheeler and the stand that Donnie was in he found a 9 pointer laying off in the edge of the wood. The only thing Mr. Fleming said could have happen was when Donnie missed with his first shot he must had hit the 9 pointer. Donnie took his picture with it then they cut the horns off. If Donnie tells the storie he now got a 8 and 9 pointer.
Mr. And Mrs. Carrico sent the head ( of the 8 pointer )off to a Taxidermy to have it shoulder mount.
The trip was cut short by a day for Donnie had to go back to St. Jude on the 14.
The Meshell family would like to thank every one for their help and prays.
We would also like to Thank the news paper in Many and Natchitoches for shareing his trip in their newspaper.
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June 11,05
Donnie was asked to come to the BAss Pro Shop in Bossier City.
Donnie wasn't told any thing before we went. After we get there he was given hunting
clothes, cap and shades . Mr. Larry from Dream Maker Outdoors presented Donnie
all expenses paid White Tail Deer hunt for 3 days in South Texas the first week-end
of January 2006.
The hunt will be filmed for national broadcast on Dream Maker Outdoor.
www.dreammakeroutdoors.com
The Boar's Den
Archer City , Texas
The Boar’s Den
Archer City , Texas
Hunting guide , Daryl Wines
Bass Pro Shop , Bossier City , La.
Gave Donnie a set of hunting clothes , caps , a hunting vest
La. State Trooper Steve Pezant
Rented a 2005 truck for the trip and having the deer shoulder mount
Donnie was to start his hunt on Tuesday Nov. 8 .
Donnie hunt was recorded by Mr. Jerry Brown to be showed on his T. V. show sometime on O L N channel and The Mens channel.
The first morning Donnie would see deer but they was all to small. That evening they would hunt again. A nice 7 pointer came out just before time to go back to the cabin. Mr. Daryl told Donnie to shot it. Donnie shot but they didn’t thank he shot it , so they planed to return to the same place in the morning to try again. After returning to the cabin first thing Mr. Brown did was to see the tape so they would know if he was shooting to hi or low.
Well guess what , Donnie didn’t miss. Off to find the deer but this time Donnie’s parent Joe and Linda would get to go too. It didn’t take much to find. Maybe 25 yards it laid.
Donnie would go hunting the next morning to get him a doe but after they got out there Donnie would tell Mr. Jerry and Mr. Daryl that he was happy with his 7 pointer and he didn’t wont to take a doe.
The Meshell family would also like to thank every one they meet in Archer City for being so nice to them. Thanks also goes out to the Archer City and Sabine Newspaper for running the story at no cost.
I didn't know it was this big .........
Thanks to every one for their help ................
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