In The Sulky Forum
General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: MichiganDale on March 13, 2013, 10:36:43 AM
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Okay, since others have commented on it and brought it up, here's the deal. On Saturday, April 6th, my wife and I will host the 12th Annual Harold Zahn Purple Heart Memorial Race at Balmoral Park. I like to call it another "D & L Production!" Harold was my own hero, my dad, he was a grandfather, a husband and very importantly a great fan of Harness Racing. He died with a live betting voucher in his pocket and was in his daily perch in the second floor clubhouse only a couple days before he passed. In fact, I was there with him just seven days before he died at the age of 79 in February, 2002. He was a fixture at the races both live and for simulcasting in the clubhouse on the second floor where he could be found with his hot black coffee, his cigarettes and his programs. A three-pronged walker helped him get around in his final days......
In April 2002 we launched the idea of a Memorial Race at dad's 'home away from home' and we knew he'd be proud. It was a small family affair then, the wife and I popped for the blanket and all the drivers dad was known to wager on signed a whip that I have on the all in my office to this day......Tony Morgan won the first Memorial Race, he knew it was special to us and he 'drove to win!' A great night! Ever since its inception I got to announce the post parade and explain a little bit about Harold, a WWII paratrooper and Purple Heart recipient who is buried some 15 minutes from Balmoral. Dick Siegel called me just today to let me know the traditional purple and white blanket was being shipped today for presentation in the winners circle the night of the race.
My daughter, Harold's granddaughter MandyZ will be on hand to perform the National Anthem 'live' from the winners circle with a Purple Hear Color Guard behind her. Mandy has come a long way, is a award winning singer, is a BMI songwriter and her recordings have been getting airplay in Milwaukee and Nashville where she made her debut at Tootsies last November. Can Chicago radio be next? Harold would be very proud. My son, his wife and two great-granddaughters of Harold will also be attending.....
Over the years we've hosted many guests, some dignitaries, this year will be no exception. We want to broadcast it loud and clear that its not just about Harold, its a tribute to ALL U.S. Veterans, and those that have received a Purple Heart. We can't thank those men and women enough.
So there you have it.....if members of ITS care to be part of this, or just want to stop by and say hello, by all means do so. It would be our pleasure to see you and make your acquaintance if we don't already know you.
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I was in Tootsie's Orchid Lounge back in my musician days. Fun place that was a total dump, but all the Grand Ole Opry acts hung out in there. (they could walk out of the Ryman auditorium back door into Tootsies) Tootsie was a hoot... you never knew what was coming out of her mouth next.
Congrats to Mandy, and to Dale for honoring the veterans. bowdown
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A super thought Dale..look forward to making it out there and will stop by to say hello
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Will try and make it out there. My grandfather was a Purple Heart veteran from WW1. Great tradition you started Dale. thumbsup
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Will try and make it out there. My grandfather was a Purple Heart veteran from WW1. Great tradition you started Dale. thumbsup
. I salute your grandfather Careless Hal. If not for these great young men there would be no tradition to start....no forums like this to take part in.
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I think this is very honorable.....very American! bowdown
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I think this is very honorable.....very American! bowdown
Just know that the Hollar Clan is cordially invited to make a day trip and join us on that Saturday night since you won't be pursuing victory at the Route 8 Emporium of Fine Racing in beautiful suburban Cleveland! thumbsup lilcheerleader
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Awesome Andrea just won. A bit off topic
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Just know that the Hollar Clan is cordially invited to make a day trip
Thanks Dale! I'll be entertaining family from across The Pond. thumbsup
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Great job keeping harness racing and family together. Very classy, and a good way to honor family.
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Awesome Andrea just won. A bit off topic
. I miss that mare. Part of the business and hindsight is 20-20 meaning she should not have been in a claimer. Hope was I finally had a horse to drive and be a bit competetive and damn I never got to sit behind her.
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This is a very special even and I am proud to call Dale Zahn a friend. I will certainly be in attendance and stop by your table
Your dad was a great war hero. To Harold and all of our veterans I want the give my hearfelt thanks.
And Dale, your dad would be very proud of you and your lovely daughter. She has come a long say in her career.
All I can say is thank you for being one of the true good guys
thumbsup thumbsup........
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Very happy to say that I will be in Crete that night for the Zahn Memorial
A very big thank you to Dale Zahn for giving our servicemen the accolades and attention they deserve.
I look forward to seeing many familier faces, and looking forward to a festive evening. Dale, we all owe you all the thanks in the world. thumbsup
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Very happy to say that I will be in Crete that night for the Zahn Memorial
A very big thank you to Dale Zahn for giving our servicemen the accolades and attention they deserve.
I look forward to seeing many familier faces, and looking forward to a festive evening. Dale, we all owe you all the thanks in the world. thumbsup
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You are very kind in your remarks. No need to thank me.....just thank the vets. Its all about them. There will be a news release about the event in about a week. I'm just one guy.....there are lots of great men and women that serve, have served or simply show the recognition our servicemen and women richly deserve. Right here on ITS for example....Just Saying for example comes to mind. Does a great job in his hometown serving veterans. Its not about him...he does not do it for himself but rather for others. I'm just a patriots son that started a small remembrance that has grown. Are you (or anyone else for that matter) wanting to join us for dinner or just stopping by? In either case, I'd be happy to buy you a drink.
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Just Saying for example comes to mind. Does a great job in his hometown serving veterans. Its not about him...he does not do it for himself but rather for others.
Just a point of clarification: I'm not a veteran and will never pretend to be one. I just feel that I owe the freedom my family enjoys because of them, which is why I volunteer to be the treasurer and fundraiser at our local VFW. 100% of all our net proceeds go to veteran's causes... we're all unpaid. Hats off to Mr & Mrs Dale for honoring the Purple Heart Veterans.
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Just a point of clarification: I'm not a veteran and will never pretend to be one. I just feel that I owe the freedom my family enjoys because of them, which is why I volunteer to be the treasurer and fundraiser at our local VFW. 100% of all our net proceeds go to veteran's causes... we're all unpaid. Hats off to Mr & Mrs Dale for honoring the Purple Heart Veterans.
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Yes, I knew that about JS and I too am a non-veteran that does my thing same as my Illinois friend does to honor the vets. Truth be known, its something I wish I could have done - I had actually applied for Air Force ROTC (dear old dad was disappointed it wasn't ARMY!) but got nixed due to high blood pressure! That was the first time I ever knew I had that medical issue that has been under control ever since with the proper BP medication. Back when I was in my early 20's I was 'thinking big' and had this grand idea that I'd go into the service, do 20+ years, retire as a General or something like that and live happily ever after....never happened so by not being a vet, this is the least I can do along with my dear wife to keep things in proper perspective and say Thanks to these men and women. Keep in mind folks, all this hoopla is not about 'us' its about THEM. They've earned the respect and our admiration.
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You are very kind in your remarks. No need to thank me.....just thank the vets. Its all about them. There will be a news release about the event in about a week. I'm just one guy.....there are lots of great men and women that serve, have served or simply show the recognition our servicemen and women richly deserve. Right here on ITS for example....Just Saying for example comes to mind. Does a great job in his hometown serving veterans. Its not about him...he does not do it for himself but rather for others. I'm just a patriots son that started a small remembrance that has grown. Are you (or anyone else for that matter) wanting to join us for dinner or just stopping by? In either case, I'd be happy to buy you a drink.
I'll be stopping by and perhaps you are more deserving of that drink which I would be glad to buy for you. Looking forward to the entire night. I will be there with the wife and then we will be off to Houston in the morning.
Good luck and best wishes to your daughter as well singing our National Anthem. I am happy to hear of her career taking off, and Iwould love to know if she is scheduled to be in the Houston or Nashville area's in the near future. Im sure the kids would love to see her in person. She's an excellent performer if the You Tube videos are any indication.
All the best to you and the family and thanks again
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We can't do enough for our Vets. I also am not a veteran. Had heart problems when a boy and was classified 1Y. Failed the physical 4 times.
Last summer I was a volunteer at the Valor Game for disabled vets. I was helping with the bicycle races. One gal had only one limb, her right hand left and that is what she used to pedal the bike. I did get to talk with many of the vets and it is an inspiration to see how they are coping with their disabilities. They deserve our admiration and support.
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Good luck to Mr. Zahn in his preparations for this week's event. Many thanks for honoring those who have protected this nation. Our Vets do not often get the recognition they deserve. You are to be commended sir.
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Best of luck this Saturday with your event Dale. thumbsup
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Thank you. Look forward to seeing some ITS folks on Saturday. As a sidebar, tomorrow, April 2nd would have been Harold's 91st birthday. So many times I recall the vet's, the purple hearters in particular, hanging out on the apron at Washington Park and Balmoral. Those fellas were a great bunch.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/MichiganDale/HaroldsPurpleHeartJacketSleeve_zpsf84a47ba.jpg)
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Here is the News Release as it appeared on the USTA site that I promised to post when it became available...
http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=52894&zoneid=63
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thumbsup
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Dale , don't be a stranger, stop by and
say hello.
your dad was an honorable man
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Dale good luck this week. Harold would be proud of his son
Great press release
Outstanding. I'll see you and the gang there. Drinks are on me
I see the poster from another forum has Gibbs in there. Boy does he look tough. Classy horse. Should get the cash and the blanket
What say you Dale ?
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Dale , don't be a stranger, stop by and
say hello.
your dad was an honorable man
Evening Ira. Will we see you at Dale's race ? I hope so. By thw way, did that pick 5 mess finally blow over ? I know you went through hell with that nonsense. I can assure all of our posters that Ira Smolin is an honest man and a credit to the game f harness racing. Accusing him of this . That ticket was strictly an act of handicapping genius. He got a bum rap , Not good
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Ira - we'll connect for sure! MaxR - first drink is on me, remember? As for Gibbs he deserves to be the favorite but he's beatable. Really does not matter to us who wins as its a pleasure to present the blanket...that's what its all about, honoring purple hearters and of course my dad. If I have any "leanings" as to who I'd prefer to present it to it would be to Johnny Roberts driving the horse on the rail. Most of the drivers have won this race before but not John. He's long been a friend, has a fine young family and has turned things around in his life. Yeah, I'll pull for him but if Gibbs wins that's fine too. Whoever wins I hope the horse is well behaved as we figure on 2 pictures involving quite a few people.
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WE HAVE NO SHOT DALE
,,ITS EITHER, THE 1 HORSE OR ,,RICHESS EMPORER..
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Never say "no shot" unless the horse is hurting or in way over its head. If you win - great...we'll see you in the winners circle. Good luck...have fun.
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Good luck tonight Dale. I know its a very special night for you and you should be very proud. Thanks for doing this.
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hope everyone had a nice sat night at ,,bal,,
DALE U PRONOUNCED MY LAST NAME RITE,,THANK,U
EVERY TRACK BESIDES CHICAGO THEY FCK UP MY LAST NAME..
ANYWAYS ,,,HOPE ALL WENT WELL..
WE TRIED OUR BEST TO WIN,,,
thumbsup
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hope everyone had a nice sat night at ,,bal,,
DALE U PRONOUNCED MY LAST NAME RITE,,THANK,U
EVERY TRACK BESIDES CHICAGO THEY FCK UP MY LAST NAME..
ANYWAYS ,,,HOPE ALL WENT WELL..
WE TRIED OUR BEST TO WIN,,,
thumbsu
Sorry we didn't see you! I'm glad I got the name right. Your horse did try....get them next time!
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Dale's an old announcer himself; he takes pride in never getting a name wrong. Glad you had another great Purple Heart nigh, Dale. Nice honor to your Dad and all other Vets!
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Dale's an old announcer himself; he takes pride in never getting a name wrong. Glad you had another great Purple Heart nigh, Dale. Nice honor to your Dad and all other Vets!
Thanks, JS - overall it was perhaps the best function ever.....loads of guests and people stopping by. Its all about the vets, not just dad, certainly not about me....we're always honored to have the gentlemen from the Purple Heart and their wives in attendance......USTA President Langly and CEO Mike Tanner and his wife were in attendance as was USTA/IHHA Director Sam Lilly.....as some know I announced the post parade as usual but the real treat for me anyway was co-hosting the Balmoral Beat TV show with my good friend Tom Kelley....that was a hoot and as my wife said "Dale was back in his element..." Dear daughter did fine with the National Anthem while under the weather and battling forceful wind gusts (no baffle on the mic) that made singing a challenge....
We looked for MAX R all night as we really expected him to show up and for me to buy him a drink but it didn't happen. If LUC would have stopped by I'd well have popped for him too......
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NEXT TIME DALE ,.,THANKS
ANYWAYS..
thumbsup
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real classy of your buddies juice junkie and pig land to post hideous remarks about Dale and his daughter on horse plop about their special night. Nice friends you got. Keep supporting them. Its who you are, you can't help it.
That garbage site is still around? Nobody seemed to know.....all thought it was dead and buried, as well it should be. Total joke and embarassment to all of mankind. Just a handful of pathetic thugs with thousands of troll names that are hung up on anything good. Really, people thought it was gone.....surprised to hear its still around. Luc is supporting it, Gripper? Is that true?
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Sorry your thread got derailed Dale. It's best to ignore this guy, he's shown time and again to have no class - you only have to look at his "friends" and posts about others. Filth all around.
Glad your race was a success and things went well. Nice to see the good guys in the business do well. Hope you have many more.
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Sorry your thread got derailed Dale. It's best to ignore this guy, he's shown time and again to have no class - you only have to look at his "friends" and posts about others. Filth all around.
Glad your race was a success and things went well. Nice to see the good guys in the business do well. Hope you have many more.
You started with Luc and to be honest you and your buddy Gripper are the only 2 assholes I've seen in these threads, if you don't like him ignore him like I usually do with you, ASSHOLE ! birdienana
Rocky fck the morons you're more than welcome here, you have more class in your diarrhea than these 2 have in their whole bodies. These 2 do not represent ITS by any means they are the ones that belong at the sewer and no doubt they are already there.
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That garbage site is still around? Nobody seemed to know.....all thought it was dead and buried, as well it should be. Total joke and embarassment to all of mankind. Just a handful of pathetic thugs with thousands of troll names that are hung up on anything good. Really, people thought it was gone.....surprised to hear its still around. Luc is supporting it, Gripper? Is that true?
No it's not true, luc left the sewer because of people like headpole idiot and Gripper, I think this place would be much better without those 2 ASSHOLES but thats up to Gary not me.
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i didnt start sht,,dont even know who THESES GUYS ARE
LIKE I SAID THEY HAVE A PROB,,WITH MY OTHER FRIENDS
SEE THEM
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i didnt start sht,,dont even know who THESES GUYS ARE
LIKE I SAID THEY HAVE A PROB,,WITH MY OTHER FRIENDS
SEE THEM
Fck em. You posted nothing wrong here and those personal attacks should not be tolerated. Some people just hate for any reason. idunno
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Bitch on another thread or even better another site. This thread is about honoring Purple Heart recipients and Vets in general. Very proud of Michigan Dale and clan for remembering those who gave everything to protect our freedom. thumbsup
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dale , was a great job , and attendence and whether were outstanding this year
good work , and thanks again birdienana
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dale , was a great job , and attendence and whether were outstanding this year
good work , and thanks again birdienana
Hello Ira. Sorry I couldnt make flight connections. Was stuck in Houston. Looks like it was a festive evening. Congrats. I took a bath on Gibbs. Looked the best to me. Am I off base, or did anyone else here feel he had no excuse at all ? Thats still no reason to trash Mr Ruffalo here. Its not his fault. The horse didnt have it. Maybe hes not as good as many of us thought. I wont make that mistake again. Dale, hope to see you next year. Looks like there was a nice gathering there.
Dont worry about that drink. You put on a great show.
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Sorry your thread got derailed Dale. It's best to ignore this guy, he's shown time and again to have no class - you only have to look at his "friends" and posts about others. Filth all around.
Glad your race was a success and things went well. Nice to see the good guys in the business do well. Hope you have many more.
With all due respect, I just read the thread and YOU derailed it.
Im guessing you are not a veteran. This thread is not for your personal silly gripes with other posters, especially one who supported the race with an entrant. Did you have one in there sir ?
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Bitch on another thread or even better another site. This thread is about honoring Purple Heart recipients and Vets in general. Very proud of Michigan Dale and clan for remembering those who gave everything to protect our freedom. thumbsup
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