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"A little boy and a boat dealer!"

marine_man

By marine_man
in Open Water

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marine_man Grand Master

marine_man

Posted
Posted

I saw this on a another forum and thought it deserved to be posted here as well... it's a nice story about a dealer going the extra mile... and is actually a good thing a dealer did instead of all the bad things you hear on the boards...

I don't know the family, but do know the story has been validated by Crystal Pierz...

marine_man

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I'm not the type of guy who posts often on this board, I read and learn from all of you pros everyday. But I would like to share a story about a little boy and a boat dealer. This will be long so stay with me please.

Last fall I was sent to Iraq to on a 120-day deployment with the Air Force. Half way into the deployment I received a call from my home station commander, a call no parent should ever have to go through. I was informed my 10 year old son had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed it removed as soon as possible with radiation and chemotherapy treatments to follow. I was rushed back to Fargo, ND on military and civilian airlift while my wonderful spouse was handling the "news" as well as she could. The surgery went well and the doctors were able to remove over 99% of the tumor, unfortunately a staff infection followed the surgery prolonging my fishing buddy's hospital stay. We spent close to five weeks in the hospital with a three week break followed by six weeks of intense radiation treatments.

The week after Thanksgiving I needed to get out of the hospital and blow off some steam. I drove through the parking lot of Crystal Pierz Marine. I saw a boat that caught my eye and I went in to see what this Mr. Pike would cost and to pick up a copy of the newest Lund brochure, great hospital reading material by the way. My family and I were going to buy a boat when I came home from Iraq and I was going to follow through with that promise to my son. I stepped into the dealership and started talking to a wonderful salesman by the name of Kent. Yes, there really are wonderful salesman out there. He asked me what I was doing in Fargo during a week day and I told him a little about my son and unfortunately for him he had just gone through a similiar situation with his wife. I told him thanks for the brochure and that I would be back when the time was right to purchase a boat in the spring or summer depending on how my son was handling his treatments. The next day I received a call at the hospital from Kent wanting to know if it would be okay to set up a little Christmas present for my son. I told him that would really bring a smile to this little fisherman's face and it would be much appreciated. The Monday before Christmas I received a phone call from Kent saying the little package was in for my son and if we had time to stop by. Since my son's radiation treatment had just finished, we had 6 weeks before chemo started so we had planned to spend the holidays with our parents in western ND and we would be coming through Fargo. When we arrived at CP we were met by Kent and he took us into the General Manager's office, there we met Craig. Again another wonderful person. He handed my son a little box with a ribbon on it, I thought this is really nice they are going to give him a couple Raps or a t-shirt. Well when my son opened the gift, there were keys to a brand new Ranger boat. It was ours to use during the upcoming summer. Craig and Kent took us over to the shiny 1850 Reatta sitting on the showroom floor. My son and wife were in tears and I was in disbelief that a dealer would let complete strangers use a boat all summer with NO strings attached. We picked the boat up in May and even though my son has had quite the fight with his chemo sessions all summer, he has been able to put quite a few of those dandy Devils Lake walleyes in the live well. I do not understand how a kid who has lost nearly 30 lbs can out fish friends and family on every trip. But isn't that how it should be? After one more fall trip we will be taking the boat back to CP. I would like to publically thank the company of CP, Ranger Boats, and especially Kent and Craig. Also I would like to thank Vaaler Insurance for insuring the boat. You all have brought many smiles to a little boy who has many dark days. He continues to fight the cancer and is doing great. His last chemo session ends in December and I know he will be ice fishing by the end of January.

I have read many stories about dealers not doing their jobs or not providing a quality product, well here is a dealer who goes above and beyond anyone's imagination. My family and I have never been treated so well, words can't explain our appreciation for what they have done for us and especially my son. Needless to say we will be buying our boat in the next couple of months from our friends at CP in Fargo. Now the hard part starts, which one?

Thanks again to our special friends at Crystal Pierz Marine in Fargo.

The Davis Family

ATCer

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Hastings gal Contributor

Hastings gal

Posted
Posted

Great story. CP has been a good dealer to us, we haven't had any problems.

This post really touches home with me, my older sister (37) was diagnosed with a brain tumor (Craniopharyngioma) 10 weeks ago. She had her first surgery last friday a transspenoidal, all went well now she has to heal up 3-6 months then the second surgery a craniotomy if all goes well heal up 3 - 6 months and possibly 6 weeks of radiation.

Life is so unpredictable and we take so many things for granted in our everyday activities.

I have pondered alot lately that I haven't been on a vacation this year, I have only been out in the boat once this year. But I just keep telling myself that things could be worse and smile because I have my health and so do my kids. My sister will get better, and my mom will maintain her health, perhaps next August we will be able to take another family vacation to LOW. Keep smiling.

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

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Now thats what it is all about. Kudos to Craig and Kent, I'm sure that was not an easy task to get done. That boy will never forget how happy he is and how much fun those trips to the lake are. Cancer is dark and ugly, it's good to see someone go the mile to bring some light into that world.

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Bobby Bass Grand Master

Bobby Bass

Posted
Posted

This is a fine example of what someone can do not what they have to do. I'll bet a handshake still means something at this business. If I could I would like to shake the hands of the guys at the dealership and the young lad and his dad..

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Fishing-Around Contributor

Fishing-Around

Posted
Posted

Thank You for the post, life sometimes brings us all down a bit and this post brings reality back to the forefront. The reality is that, all we see either in the news, talk radio, morning shows, ect... is murder,rape,looting, finger pointing, ect... But sometimes we all need to sit back and know that the % of good decent hard working and loving people out in the world greatly out way the ones that make the 5 o'clock news. Thanks again for the post, I needed it this morning!!!

Carmon

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FOOT Rising Star

FOOT

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Posted

Being as skeptical as I am I went straight to CP Marine this morning to verify this wonderful story.

I am happy to say IT IS TOTALLY TRUE. What a fantastic thing for CP Marine to do.

I e-mailed their Internet Sales Rep, Rachel Gall, and she confirmed every bit of the story.

I know where I'll be buying my new Lund either next year or in 2007.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Davis family and I pray their son lives a long and fruitful life.

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Dave Grand Master

Dave

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I had to wipe a couple tears away on this one. This was the best thread I've read for quite some time. Thank you for "forwarding" it here. Prayers going out for that kid to have a complete recovery.

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ghotierman Rising Star

ghotierman

Posted
Posted

So glad i read this post...

I know Kent personally...he used to work for me before he went to CP. He is a great guy, very caring...

He's been on FM before under the handle of Fire N Fish, I believe...

If you're lurking Kent....congrats and good job to you and the team at CP

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ZOKU Collaborator

ZOKU

Posted
Posted

Unbelieveable... what an amazing story!!

I don't know when... but my first boat purchase be it new or used will definitely be with CP. That kind of random act of geniune kindness, caring, and overall selflessness is to be commended... especially in this day and age when people just don't do many nice things for one another anymore.

Kudos to everyone involved and who made a major difference in this family's life.

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