Dale Matson
Today was a celebration of Art’s life and selfless
compassionate service to others. It was a service designed and requested by Art
before his passing. Many members of the Mountaineering Unit and ‘Jeepers’ of
the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office attended along with family and friends.
Those paying tribute included Art’s pastor, Trent, Art’s best friend of 40 years,
Daughter Pam, Son Marc, Grandson Mitch, Lieutenant Curtice and Sheriff Mims.
Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Curtice was accompanied by guitar
and sang a request from Art. There was also a video slide retrospective of Arts
life. There was a display of Art’s awards and memorabilia including Art’s
prized jeep. The final hymn was “Amazing Grace”
Following the service, there was a buffet meal prepared by
the Northwest Church parishioners. It was good to greet old team members and
Art’s family members.
That Art, “What a guy”.
I'm sorry I missed the memorial service, I just didn't know when it when and where it was being held.
ReplyDeleteI met Art Sallee back in mid 1999. I had been a deputy sheriff for only a year and a half and I just made the department's search and rescue team. One of the first trainings I participated in was Art's "Man Tracking" class. At first I wondered who this old dude was because when I met Art it was obvious he had seen some miles. He walked with a crook in his back and shuffled his feet. In a short amount of time though I realized that this guy knew what he was doing.
After that class I worked with Art for more than a few years. Art cut back on actually searching but he always came out and volunteered in the command post. Wether it was helping with the radios, acting as a scribe, cleaning up trash around camp, or being a "victim" during our annual multi-day trainings.
One time (I don't remember the year) it was my turn to design the scenario. I had two guys (victims) in the field all set the day before training started. The morning of the first search day I planned to put Art in the field so he could be found, I just didn't want him to be found too early. After the lunch break he told me to drive him out to where I needed him to be located. I got to drive Art's Forerunner and being in a hurry I drove a little faster than Art liked. After he was "found" and brought back to the command post he let me know he didn't like how I drove his truck. I apologized and we moved on from there.
Art mentored many and was a friend to all, he will be missed. While remembering things about Art's life I thought of the poem "Footprints in the Sand":
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
That is the official version. The unofficial version starts out with three sets of footprints in the sand and then in the difficult times it was two sets of footprints. The extra set of footprints was off to the side so as not to disturb the "signs". Art Sallee was there and he was tracking them the whole time.
God bless you Art.
Robert McEwen
Thanks Robert. I miss doing searches with you.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You my friend
Dale+