I recently returned from one of the longest trips I’ve ever made to the Dallas area and I have made many in my time.  You see, I just got back from the Memorial for Ken Sedlecky. Ken was a World Champion and Hall of Fame Skeet shooter.  He was unquestionably the greatest supporter of shooting that I have ever known. The unbelievable time and support he poured into every aspect of shooting, the unselfish assistance that he generously extended to ANYONE seeking to learn to shoot, the love that he brought to shooting sports are immeasurable.  His passion carried him to a world of great friends, to unprecedented respect from the shooting industry and those of us in the shooting sports and undying love form his ‘girls’…………Kathy, Tricia, Kate, Laura and Bre. His love of the outdoors took him to every corner of the United States and several continents. From fishing, to hunting, to sightseeing and photography………..he took it all in and loved every minute of it. He was one of Smith & Wesson’s greatest treasures, spreading the greatness of their product far and wide. You don’t often have the pleasure of meeting someone like Ken, much less being fortunate enough to call him your friend. Ken not only brought the love of shooting to anyone interested, but if you were around him for any length of time…………I promise, he also brought you laughter. He recently officially retired from Smith, but continued as a consultant………..primarily to shooting sports.  He loved the St. Judes’ Charity Event and the Sportsmans’ Team Challenge and his efforts to insure their continued success was nothing short of unbelievable. It would be impossible for me to put a value on the support which he provided for the STC, but it would be even more difficult to describe the positive influence which he had on me as a person. I was fortunate enough to get to go fishing with him in his beloved Michigan, home just short time before his untimely illness. Those few days will forever be etched in my heart. What a terrible loss the shooting sports have endured. But much more profoundly, what a terrible loss everyone who was blessed to know him and those that would have certainly gotten to, were it not for his early departure. His spirit will live on through his contributions and especially his wonderful family and their continued involvement with shooting.  There could undoubtedly be no one more qualified to carry this torch than his best friend and beloved wife, Kathy. We are so very blessed as to have people like this to lead the continued quest for the recognition of shooting sports in our behalf. My heartfelt thanks seem so insignificant at this juncture, but I extend them and can only hope that I can somehow, in some small way contribute to his legacy.