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Welcome to the Sheridan page of the Free Rusty Website Latest Visit to see Rusty, by K.O. Oct 2002. (click on images for larger photos)
Sheridan is a town of 3000 people, founded in 1881 and named after General Phil Sherdian (photo at right). Two of Sheridan's closets friends were General George Custer and Wild Bill Hicock. He is most noted for killing Confederate Calvary General J. E. B. Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern. His troops occupied the area Over 70 years later, President Roosevelt (FDR) had a hand in the success of this region by employing its residents. The "Works Progress Administration" helped build and modernize the community during what was left of The Great Depression. Today, this region is a thriving agricultural area, its main employment being farms, wood mills and of course, The Federal Correctional Institute. (Can you tell I did my homework??)
As I am told, there are three different facilities that total the 'campus' of the FCI. Upon driving in, I saw the Federal Detention Center which is a type of holding jail. The FDC is just like MDC in Los Angeles where Rusty stayed his first two years. Then there is the Sheridan Federal Camp, which is a low-level security facility. Finally, driving further ahead I arrived at the FCI, considered medium security.
Seven vending machines provided an array of food choices for which I was pleasantly surprised. So was Rusty, cuz he loves to eat! Rusty tells me the food is pretty good inside the FCI and there is a salad bar that he likes. During our visits, Rusty and I enjoyed every minute of conversation, laughter and even comfortable silence. Rusty told me about his weekend job assignment doing landscaping on the FCI grounds. He likes working outdoors and it keeps his schedule open for classes. Anyway, our visits were great and they sure went by fast. Rusty was his usual self, a perfect gentleman, honorable and self-assured. Rusty is a whoppin' 297 pounds of rock solid muscle. I forgot how 'little' I am when I'm next to him. He's at the weight pile alot. He tells me it's an outdoor gym with a metal roof overhead. My Rusty is benching in the 400 Club like he always has. He has a little helper-guy who loads and unloads his weight plates. Rusty nicknamed him "Sucked-Up" cuz he's so skinny.
I stopped several times at fresh produce stands along the road to sample the local agriculture and talk to the farmers. This part of Oregon is BIG on blueberries, bing cherries, raspberries, boysenberries and golden apricots. I tasted Queen Anne cherries for my 1st time which are orangey-yellow in color, larger than bing cherries, with a distinct flavor all of their own. Yum! This region is known for their Hazel Nut, Filbert & Walnut tree farms. There are alot of vineyards and winery's surrounded by never-ending fields of flowers which are grown for their harvest of seeds. On my next visit I want to drive out to the Coast of Oregon. It's a 45 minute drive from Sheridan, and there is a CASINO somewhere along that highway. Guess I'll have to do a tour with my Guide "The Donny" for that road trip.
Until my next visit to Sheridan this will remain posted, at which time I will post a new letter and some more pictures too. Stay with us here at the Free Rusty Website, ****************Love, K.O. Coones Another Sheridan Visit Made Possible 1. Sheridan Inmate gets visit, thanks to Free Rusty Crew From: Rusty CommentsSheridan Inmate gets visit, thanks to Free Rusty Crew In June of 2001, Brenda Lynch posted for the first time, sharing her story. Her husband, Scott Lynch is at Sheridan FCI doing ten years for conspiracy to distribute 4 ounces of methemphetamine. (Before Mandatory Minimum sentences were in effect, he would have received anywhere from probation to 2 years for this crime.) Scott and Brenda have a one-year-old son named Brayden, also. Brenda contacted our G.B. hoping someone would step forward and offer to help her raise the money for her and Braden to Visit Scott at Sheridan. Their family is financially drained as a result of fighting the case through trial, and because of Scott’s incarceration. Her plight hit home with many of our G.B. readers. As a result some of our F.R.C. led by Rhett, (Men in Black), started researching costs involved to put this visit together. The result was a round trip flight, ground transportation, and a four-day/three night stay at a local Inn for Brenda and Brayden. Enclosed are letters from Scott and Brenda thanking all of you who made this visit possible. Family contact is very important, not only to inmates, but to their families. In many cases parents and children separated during long incarcerations grow apart, never to be together as a unit again. This is the story of the drug war, where many non-violent drug law violators do lengthy sentences that don’t fit the crime. I hope, as many of us do, that the Lynch family survives this ordeal intact. Rusty AFFA
From: Scott & Brenda CommentsThank you seems so shallow, for something that means so much. My beautiful family was definitely a sight for sore eyes. Being able to hold my wife and son once again means more than words could ever express. Their visit would not have been possible if it weren’t for all the great people at Rusty’s Guest Book. Rusty is a lucky man to have such people. My family also is very lucky, just to come across so many outstanding people all in one place. I’m sure if my son Brayden were here right now, he’s give his rip-roarin fart of approval! Thank you all ever so much. You all know who you are; the list is far great! Thank You All Forever More! Scott and Lynch Family To all Free Rusty Crew and Guest Book Readers- Thank you so very much for such a wonderful generous gift. Free Rusty and the people who read the guest book have gone out of their way so our son and myself can visit my husband, Scott. What wonderful and caring people you all are. Not only have you made it possible for my family’s long overdue reunion, you’ve given me back my strength which was lost some time ago. It’s amazing how high my spirits have been since I found out I was going to Sheridan. The war on drugs is tearing families apart. Millions of people are lost in the same situation that my family is in, and most, if any, will never get the chance to visit their loved ones. I will never be able to express how much this means to me, and my family- and how grateful I am for all that you wonderful people have given my family. Thanks again! Brenda, The Lynch Family 3. Re: To Brenda From: Cheryl CommentsIt fills my heart with such joy to hear what this trip has done for you and your family. I, too, have found myself in your shoes some eight years ago when my man was sent to prison. I was six months pregnant when he was sentenced to a minimum of twenty to life, and I will never forget the feeling of such sadness and hopelessness as I did at that time. My sadness still lingers to this day as our daughter turns eight years old knowing she will never know her father as the man I knew & loved, and for that I am regretful. I believe this is one of the hardest things a family faces and you are so very fortunate to have found this site with so many good people willing to lend a hand in time of your need, perhaps if I had found a site such as this, my circumstances today would be somewhat different. I am proud to have been part of something that has meant so much to you and your family. I would like to thank all of the Free Rusty Crew for being such standup individuals, and a special thank you to you Rhett for putting all of this together. Much hope and happiness to you Brenda, now & always. 4. Thanks From: The Men In Black /The Man We Love To Hate hey y'all this was an effort by and from All at Free Rusty...every person who clicks on this site had something to do with getting the Lynch Family all in the same room for a brief visit...The Man We Love To Hate and The Men In Black did nothing more than what any of you guys were going to do anyway, so credit where credit is due...Rusty was the driving force behind this visit actually happening.....we are proud to have been involved but if not for Rusty being who he is and where he is none of this would ever have come about... Thanks To All One Last Time and to Cheryl thanks for all your assistance and for sharing your story with Free Rusty, you know where we are if you ever need a friend...... 5. Re: Sheridan Inmate gets visit, thanks to Free Rusty Crew From: The Men In Black /The Man We Love To Hate CommentsRusty....we love you partner...your surrounded by wonderful folks who any Man would be Proud to call his people.....a year or two ago a person called Unconvienced asked me on this guest book if Rusty would step up if it was me in his position?...I responded that it did not matter but over the past couple years my answer has changed to a resounding yes...in fact I believe that many of the people on this guest book would step forward with assistance and that does not only translate to cash....support is what we read here at Free Rusty daily, it shows through in the e-mails and telephone conversations that we have with others who we have met via this guest book...we have experienced what this support truly means first hand here at Free Rusty and we feel that Rusty (who has never visited this website) is responsible for myself and the Crew having the opportunity to become acquainted with many people who we feel confident will remain our good friends long into the future...I speak for all The Men In Black (by agreement) when I say it is a privilege to be associated with Rusty, K.O and All Of You Fine People who visit this site and we look forward to being your friends for many years to come...Ain't America Grand.... 6. Re: Sheridan Inmate gets visit, thanks to Free Rusty Crew” From: Coop CommentsI feel the same way MIB... Thanks Rusty, none of this was/is possible without you at the Helm!!! |
and fought the Indian Wars in the new Pacific NorthWest territory, before President Abraham Lincoln called him to fight The Civil War in the 1850's.
