Donnie Dunn This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Donnie Dunn: Outdoorsman, Cattleman, Hero: Project Paddle Odyssey

   www.paddle-odyssey.com/Article - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/2/2007   Last Visited: 1/2/2007

   Donnie Dunn: Outdoorsman, Cattleman, Hero
   
   "I'd have to say that my most memorable fish was a blue I caught off of the Jersey shore," said Donnie in his Southwestern drawl.
   ...
   When Donnie Dunn joined the Marine Corp, he was a healthy 19-year-old. In Viet Nam he rose to the rank of Sergeant before triggering a land mine. Donnie returned from the war blind and missing the larger portion of both of his legs.
   
   Today, Donnie Dunn runs a successful ranch in Oklahoma. Five hundred head of cattle roam about his land. He lives alone and employs a single ranch hand and shares all of the work required to run the operation.
   
   "One time, a neighbor saw me on my roof replacing the engine on my air conditioner. He didn't ask how a blind guy got up there - he wanted to know how a man without legs climbed onto a roof," Donnie remembered with a laugh. "So, I told him that I flapped my arms and flew up!"
   
   I first met Donnie on one of his then-annual visits to Florida. In preparation for his arrival, our secretary made arranging a fishing trip a top priority. In a recent telephone conversation Donnie told me, "I love visiting Florida.
   ...
   I get bass, crappie and bluegills," continued Donnie. "The only thing I can't do too well is drive the bass boat. I have rebuilt its engine a couple of times though."
   
   "When my kids were young, I would bring them out fishing," said Dunn, "I would tie a rope around their waist and have the other end tied around my own. When they fell in the water, I would grab the rope and pull them back up. They're all good fishermen now that they are adults."
   
   "Recently," continued Donnie, "my daughter brought one of my grandchildren by.
   ...
   Since returning from Viet Nam over thirty years ago, Donnie Dunn has earned a degree in automobile engineering (a tremendous feat for a blind person), has started and successfully managed his cattle ranch, has learned about computer programming and technologies for blind people, has raised three terrific children and goes fishing and spends lots of time outdoors. Some people idolize athletes, others presidents, artists, musicians, historical figures and a myriad of other role models. When asked if I have a hero, I always say, "Yes, his name is Donnie Dunn."
   
   Modestly, Donnie responded to my admiration by saying, "Hell, a guy has got to live his life.