VRSG Visuals in F-16 Simulation
http://www.metavr.com sales@metavr.com US 617-739-2667
Real-time VRSG rendering of F-16C entities stored in canopy hangars at the airfield on MetaVRs new virtual Luke Air Force Base.
Real-time VRSG renderings of the new Luke AFB terrain.
In 2010, MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) visuals came online for simulators at three F-16 training facilities: Luke Air Force Base, Vermont Air National Guard F-16 Mission Training Center, and Air Force Research Lab.
Delivered systems and virtual terrain For each F-16 cockpit trainer, the VRSG multichannel visual system includes 10 out-the-window (OTW) channels and 2 sensor channels. The systems also include new COTS PC hardware to replace Concurrent PCs. As part of the sale, MetaVR is building and will deliver highfidelity geospecific 3D terrain of Luke AFB, to include the airfield and the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). The terrain will be in MetaVRs round-earth Metadesic format from natural color imagery. Imagery of the area of Arizona around Luke AFB will be 1-meter resolution, BMGR will be 0.50 m and the Luke airfield and its immediate on-base surroundings will be.30 m resolution. The BMGR is one of three tactical ranges in the Luke AFB area, spanning several hundred square kilometers. The range serves the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps as a training area for aerial gunnery, rocketry, electronic warfare, and tactical maneuvering and air support. As well, pilots and JTACs train for strike and close air support missions at BMGR. MetaVRs new Luke Airfield model will replace the existing Presagis airfield model. 56th training squadron Luke AFB is the home of the 56th Fighter Wing and the 56th Training Squadron (TRS). The mission of the 56th TRS is to provide academic- and ground-based instruction to support training F-16 pilots and weapons directors. The 56th TRS trains almost one-half of all the Air Forces new fighter pilots each year. It conducts F-16 academic and device training in accordance with major command formal syllabi including initial instruction, transition courses, senior officer courses, Thunderbird and aggressor pilot instruction, forward air control, night systems and Block 50 specialized conversion courses. The 56th TRS also provides academic, simulator and live mission training for more than 75 upgrading weapons directors annually.
Luke Air Force Base upgrades F-16 training simulators with MetaVR visuals
Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Glendale, AZ, recently purchased 53 MetaVR VRSG licenses for use in their F-16 full-mission training simulators. MetaVRs software will be fielded on Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS)-based PC image-generators (PC-IG) using the latest game-level 3D graphics cards. These VRSG licenses replace the Presagis Lyra-based solutions in the existing four training dome systems for the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) which were installed at the site in 2007 and 2008. F-16 network training center Luke AFB is a major training base of the AETC for providing advanced flight training to fighter pilots. The upgraded F-16 flight cockpit simulators are located at the bases Network Training Center (NTC) facility. The MetaVR VRSG licenses will be used to equip 4 dome-based systems that contain a full cockpit replica of an actual F-16. Luke AFB, which is located about 20 miles northwest of Phoenix, is the primary U.S. Air Force training facility for F-16 fighter pilots, who now regularly train to use night-vision goggles. With the newly installed systems, pilots will use real Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) that will be stimulated by Christie Digital Systems Matrix StIM projectors. The solid state LED projectors provide simultaneous and independent control over both the visible and near-IR spectrum using LED illumination.
Image on the cover: Real-time VRSG rendering of an F-16C entity approaching the airfield on MetaVRs new virtual Luke AFB.
Two real-time VRSG renderings of scenes at the airfield on the virtual VT ANG base, Burlington, VT.
One of the 4 cockpit simulators at the new F-16 Mission Traininig Center, located at the VT ANG base, Burlington, VT. The multi-channel synchronized view, driven by VRSG, is rendering the VT virtual terrain built by MetaVR. Photo courtesy of SSgt. Dan DiPietro, 158 FW, Vermont Air National Guard.
VT Air National Guard opens new F-16 Mission Training Center

The Vermont Air National Guard (ANG) uses over 90 MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) licenses in their four-ship simulators at the new F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC) located at the VT Air National Guard (ANG) facilities at the Burlington International Airport, Burlington, VT. About the mission training center On June 1, the F-16 MTC officially opened with a ceremony that included U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, Lt. Gen. Christopher D. Miller, the Air Forces deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, and top National Guard officials. At the ribbon-cutting event, MetaVR and the contractor team of International Simulation & Training Systems (ISTS) and Lockheed Martin were given awards for engineering excellence. The Centers mission is to train F-16 fighter pilots from across the U.S. in a first-of-its-kind graduate-level setting. Ten pilots can be trained at a time in exercises conducted on a local network or in Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) collaboration with the Iowa Air National Guards Distributed Training Operations Center (DTOC) in Des Moines, IA. About the simulators The site consists of 4 F-16 full mission trainers, instructor/ operator stations (IOS) for each cockpit, and an after-action review capability. Each cockpit consists of a 360-degree wraparound display based on the A-10C FMT seamless M2-DART display. The original M2-DART display used one projector for each of the 8 display facets. The contractor team enhanced this design by using 2 or 3 projectors on each of the 8 display facets, for a total of 18 HD projectors. Inside the wraparound display sets a high-fidelity cockpit with functional buttons, switches, and multi-function displays
(MFDs). The MFDs can display targeting pod video in electro-optic (EO), infrared (IR), or ground-mapping radar. An instructor/operator station (IOS) exists for each cockpit. The IOS establishes the environment the simulator will fly in, to include geographic location, weather, time-of-day. The IOS also controls the threat environment using the AFRL XCITE target generator. The IOS includes a large flat-screen TV that can simultaneously display a replica of out-the-window scene, heads-up display, and both multi-function displays. Unique to this installation is its novel approach to night vision goggle (NVG) training. The visual system uses a stimulate approach rather than a simulate approach to NVG training. The pilot wears his real NVGs while in the cockpit, so he can become accustomed to the form-factor and limited fieldof-view. Using the Polhemus SCOUT tracker, the pilot is head-tracked with 6 degrees of freedom, enabling the image generator to know at any moment the exact location and viewing direction of the pilots head. The SCOUT tracker is an AC magnetic head tracker that requires no mapping effort to run at high accuracy within the full mission simulators. The image generator renders an NVG area of interest (AOI) inside a cone visible to the goggles. Imagery rendered inside the NVG AOI is modified to stimulate NVGs and display covert lights. Imagery rendered outside the NVG AOI is rendered as normal unaided-eye, and covert lights are not visible outside the NVG AOI. This forces the pilots to look through the NVGs to be able to see the scene in sufficient detail at night for flying.

AFRL F-16 X-DTTs installed at Aviano AFB, Italy, upgraded with MetaVR visuals
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Warfighter Readiness Research Division in Mesa, AZ, (AFRL/Mesa) recently updated their F-16 Experimental Deployable Tactics Trainer (X-DTT) simulators to use MetaVR visuals and Immersive Display Solutions portable domes. The F-16 X-DTTs are
Technologies EasyBlend FX software provides for geometry warp and the auto alignment (edge blend) of all VRSG channels, resulting in a seamless image. The system has an average blended resolution of 11.5 million pixels, which is approximately 4.8 arc-min/OLP. An integrated adjustable truss system supports all the projection equipment, auto alignment cameras, and the HUD projector. (The HUD projector is not shown in the photograph.) AFRL/Mesa is a research organization chartered to develop state-of-the-art training technologies and methods that support the 21st century warfighter. The primary goals of the research division are to develop or evaluate various technologies as training and research tools and to investigate training effectiveness through assessment in a distributed mission operations (DMO) environment. The training research environment at AFRL/Mesa is comprised of various simulation systems and performance measurement tools that provide warfighters with opportunities to develop and refine their knowledge and skills required to be successful in a combat environment. The goal of the X-DTT simulators is to provide pilots with the ability to practice and maintain air combat skills in forward operating locations. These simulators are intended for use by deployed pilots who generally perform missions in support of real world operations with limited or no sorties or flying range space available for training opportunities and who might incur deficiencies in critical mission skills needed for other theaters. The medium-fidelity X-DTT simulator consists of an F-16 Block 30 aircraft shell with the actual F-16 Operational Flight Program (OFP) and high-fidelity aircraft stick and throttle. These simulators provide the essential F-16 cockpit switches on a touch-screen LCD in front of the pilot. Previously, the X-DTT simulators visual system was made up of three 30-inch Apple Cinema High Definition LCDs and the SDS International AAcuity Personal Computer Image Generation System. As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the fidelity of the simulator, AFRL/Mesa replaced the visuals with MetaVR VRSG and replaced the monitors with the portable domes from Immersive Display Solutions as described above. AFRL/Mesa is currently conducting research to examine the effectiveness of medium-fidelity X-DTT simulators for training air combat skills. The updated F-16 X-DTT simulators were delivered to and installed at the Aviano Air Base, Italy, in October 2010.

Background material for F-16 X-DTT at AFRL was extracted from the paper Impact of Visual Scene Field of View on F-16 Pilot Performance from the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 2007.
One of the F-16 X-DTT simulators at AFRL using MetaVR multichannel visual systems. (Note that the seams that appear in this test installation of the dome will be eliminated in the final installation.) Image courtesy of Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Mesa, AZ.
deployable, medium fidelity, in-theater training systems for keeping the warfighter proficient between missions. For this update, the AFRL/Mesa lab recently purchased 26 MetaVR VRSG licenses to replace its existing SDS International AAcuity PC-IG systems for the simulators. The MetaVR software runs on the existing image generator hardware with no changes required. The X-DTT photograph in this brochure shows one of the upgraded simulators during integration and testing prior to the delivery this fall to the US Air Force in Aviano, Italy. Each F-16 X-DTT has six projected views on the partial dome in addition to a sensor view. Each system can be used as a standalone training tool or networked with other simulators to participate in larger exercises. The systems are similar in design to MetaVRs and Immersive Display Solutions JTAC MiniDome, with differences specific to the F-16 X-DTT. The domes are constructed of fiberglass in order to provide the best possible surface that minimizes seams and reduces blemishes. Each dome is a 3.0-meter (diameter) display, providing 220-degree horizontal field-of-view (FOV) x 90degree (+60/-30) FOV. The visual solution includes six Projection Design FL32 WUXGA projectors with wide-angle lenses; each projector has 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution. The integration between MetaVR VRSG and Scalable Display
For more product information, pricing, and ordering, see MetaVRs web site at www.metavr.com or contact sales@metavr.com.
MetaVR, Virtual Reality Scene Generator, VRSG, Metadesic, First Person Simulator, IRserver, the phrase geospecific simulation with game quality graphics, and the MetaVR logo are trademarks of MetaVR, Inc. Metadesic is protected by US Patent 7,425,952. All other brand or Copyright 2010 MetaVR, Inc. product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

Sports

Friday | July 4, 2008 | tulsaworld.com

FAMILY BATTLE

Serena Williams (left) and Venus Williams advance to Wimbledon womens singles nal. B2

THE NBA IN OKLAHOMA CITY

DAN ROONEY: A MAN OF MANY MISSIONS

Patriot acts

As his third tour of duty creeps up, Dan Rooneys plan to aid other military families surges ahead

BY MATT DOYLE

World Sports Writer
Benets may come Tulsas way
Leagues state franchise rooted in support from city.
BY GUERIN EMIG AND P.J. LASSEK

World Staff Writers

HEY WERE words, a simple conversation between father and son. The exchange Dan Rooney had with his father John more than two decades ago may not have had an immediate impact. But those words of advice John Rooney passed on are being carried out by his son today. Figure out what you are truly passionate about and love to do, and everything else will take care of itself, Dan recalled his dad saying. Finding what you love to do is true wealth. Dan Rooneys passions are family, faith, country and golf. On this Fourth of July holiday, Dan will join his 125th ghter squadron mates from the Oklahoma Air National Guard as they perform yovers in across the state in F-16 ghter jets. He will also continue training for his third tour of duty in Iraq, which begins at the end of the summer. Later in the day on the Fourth, the 35-year-old will join his wife of nearly 10 years, Jacqy, and daughters Victoria, Finding Tatum and Mia, what you at their home in Broken Arrow to cellove to do ebrate the holiday. is true There wont likely be any time for golf. wealth. But, Dan will almost John Rooney, certainly be thinking to his son, Dan. about his dazzling golf project, The Patriot at Stone Canyon, which is scheduled to open in Owasso on July 4, 2009. He will also give plenty of thought to his second annual Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day Weekend. And then there is one of the main missions in his life, his Folds of Honor Foundation. Every day, Dan continues to develop this project, which offers scholarships to spouses and dependents of fallen military personnel, so they can attend the university or institution of their choice. On the surface, balancing all of these tasks seems impossible. Dan doesnt have that perspective. He calls it a blessing to have the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives. The denition of a patriot is a person who loves, supports and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion. And, for those who come into contact with him, they realize Dan is a red, white and blue patriot true and

SEE ROONEY B3

So the NBA, in the form of the former Seattle SuperSonics franchise, is coming to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season. What does that mean for Tulsa? Possibilities. Lots of them. Just not many certainties. We want to make this Oklahomas team, team owner Clay Bennett said in announcing the relocation Wednesday

SEE SONICS B3

Nash adapts after NFL dreams fade
Marcus Nash refuses to look back and wonder what might have been. A decade ago, the Tulsa native entered professional football as the rstround draft choice of the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. After completing a standout college career at Tennessee, the wide receiver who played his freshman and sophomore years of high school at Booker T. Washington before moving to Edmond envisioned more success catching passes from legendary quarterback John Elway. However, Nash spent more time on the sidelines than catching passes from Elway, or any NFL quarterback for that matter. Injuries curtailed his four-year career in the NFL with the Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. He received almost the same number of Super Bowl rings (two, Denver in 1998 and Baltimore in 2000) as he did pass receptions (four, all in 1998) in his NFL career. But Nash has not walked away from football completely. He just completed his second season with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He led the team with 33 touchdowns this season. For a question and answer session with Nash, see B3.

Matt Doyle 581-8316

matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com

Marcus Nash Q&A

Dan Rooney a PGA golf professional, course owner, F-16 ghter pilot and philanthropist stands at the site of the rst tee box at the future Patriot at Stone Canyon course in Owasso. Portions of the Patriots revenue will benet Rooneys Folds of Honor Foundation. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World The former BTW player talks about why it didnt work out for him in the NFL. Please see page B3
Marchello Vealy, two others leave ORU basketball program
Marchello Vealy, a former Oklahoma high school basketball player of the year, has left the Oral Roberts squad along with two other players, a source within the athletic department said. No ORU spokesman would conrm Thursday, but the names of Vealy and guards Curtis Allen and Jonathan Dunn were not included on a 2008-09 roster posted on the schools athletic Web site. Vealy and Allen would have been seniors in the upcoming season and Dunn would have been a redshirt sophomore. ORU head coach Scott Sutton could not be reached for comment. The 6-foot-7 Vealy was named as the Tulsa Worlds high school player of the year in 2005, from OKC Southeast. But he ashed his potential only eetingly for the Golden Eagles. He made 7-of-8 from 3-point range and scored 22 points in ORUs 78-71 upset of third-ranked Kansas in November 2006, but made only 25 more 3-pointers over three seasons. Vealy appeared in 89 games, with career averages of 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. Allen transferred from Kansas State to ORU in 2006 and averaged 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in 2007-08, his only ORU season.
By Mike Brown, World sports writer

Hynick lifts Tulsa

BY BARRY LEWIS

Texas League baseball

Tulsa 8, Corpus Christi 1
Marchello Vealy: Averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for ORU in 2007-08.
Tulsa right-hander Brandon Hynick did it all for the Drillers in front of their largest home crowd of the season on Thursday night. Hynick allowed only ve hits in eight innings and had an RBI single to help lead Tulsa past the Corpus Christi Hooks 8-1 in the opener of

a three-game series before 10,096 fans who also were treated to post-game reworks. Although Hynick (5-6) has averaged six-plus innings

SEE TL B3

19,305
** price good thru 7-10-08, dealer retains all rebates, must present this ad

Friday, July 4, 2008

SONICS:
Expect Tulsa leaders to get involved.

FROM B1

night. This is a team thats going to play in Tulsa. As to specics, BOK Center general manager John Bolton said Thursday there has been no discussion with Bennett, but he understands that there is a strong interest to have Tulsa host an exhibition game annually or every two years. It would be great to have it, he said. It would add to the BOK Center (another) sports programming event. Tulsas new downtown arena has already booked the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic for a preseason game Oct. 13. Whether or not the Oklahoma City NBA team comes to town will depend on discussions sure to be forthcoming; Bolton said the day after the relocation announcement wasnt a realistic time to determine rm plans. Expect Tulsa civic leaders to become involved when that time comes. Even though the team will be based in Oklahoma City, I will continue to talk with Clay about how we might work together to showcase the team in Tulsa as well, mayor Kathy Taylor said in a statement Thursday. If Tulsans are unsure when theyll see Bennetts team, theyre almost certain to hear his sales pitch, in the form of season ticket brochures or corporate sponsorship negotiations. I anticipate Clay Bennett
Wide receiver Marcus Nash (12) of Tennessee hauls in a pass for a 9-yard gain during a 1997 game against Southern Mississippi. Nash caught 76 passes for 1,170 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Volunteers that season.

WADE PAYNE/ AP le

Owner Clay Bennett (left) has said the NBA team will play in Tulsa, while Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett has estimated that 10 to 20 percent of game tickets could be purchased by Tulsans. BRYAN TERRY/The Associated Press/The Oklahoman
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH TULSA NATIVE
being very aggressive to make sure his team succeeds, said Tulsa 66ers president Jim Brylewski, whose NBA Developmental League team aligned with the Sonics last month. Im sure he will promote it regionally. Thats the expectation of NBA commissioner David Stern, who saw the potential for a statewide market when Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets franchise from 2005-07 in Hurricane Katrinas aftermath. That potential was validated last March when Taylor helped present the teams potential new home to the NBAs relocation committee. And when the NBA Board of Governors voted to approve the Sonics relocation last April, Stern called Bennetts

team a state franchise. Since then, Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett has estimated that 10 to 20 percent of game tickets could be purchased by Tulsans. Perhaps that will happen. For now, however, the only place in Tulsa youre sure to hear the pop of champagne corks is at the 66ers office. After all, its a little easier to sell an affiliation between Tulsa and Oklahoma City than Tulsa and Seattle. For us its a coup, Brylewski said. I cant imagine a more positive piece of news.

Guerin Emig 581-8355

guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

MARCUS NASH

Marcus Nash was born and raised in Tulsa. He attended Booker T. Washington High School as a freshman and sophomore before moving to Edmond, where he became an All-State wide receiver. After a standout four-year college career at Tennessee, professional football has been turbulent for Nash. Now a 32-year-old offensive specialist for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League, Nash participated in a questionand-answer session with the Tulsa World. Your NFL career never materialized like you thought it would. How tough was it making the transition to arena ball? I never really got down. I understand things happen for a reason. Maybe Denver wasnt the right place for me. I always held out hope somebody would pick me up. But I never understood why no one did. I couldnt dwell on that, though. Now that Im older, Ive accepted the fact that having that NFL dream and career is done. I had to move on and make the most of what I have now. I thought the (AFL) was an opportunity for me to get back out there and play. It has been fun and more refreshing. Its like playing 1-on-1 in the backyard as a kid. Its put the fun back into football for me. Why didnt it work out for you in the NFL? In Denver, I dont think (Broncos coach Mike) Shanahan and I ever clicked. When I was younger, I had a certain kind of demeanor where I never really got riled up and overly excited, and that kind of came across weird to some people. Shanahan got the impression that I really didnt care or take it seriously. When I went to Baltimore (in 2000), I broke my jaw and was out for the season. The next year the Ravens brought me back, but they cut me because of salary cap reasons. I was lost for a couple of seasons. When youre not playing, people tend to forget about you, especially when you have a high salary number. Do you still have your Super Bowl rings from the 1998 Denver team and 2000 Baltimore team? Oh yeah. I look at them every once in a while and recall that experience. Not many people can say theyve been a part of a Super Bowl, much less being a part of a winning Super Bowl team. I look at that as a good experience. How good of an experience was it having Peyton Manning as your college quarterback at Tennessee? It was a great experience. A wonderful experience. I enjoyed every minute of it. We all got notoriety. We made plays for each other. We worked hard together. He can make receivers look good, and I was that receiver for him in college. Is there a thing that you know about Peyton Manning that football fans and the general public may not know about him? I dont think a lot of people know how funny the guy is. If people saw him host Saturday Night Live, they probably came away realizing how funny he is. He always loves to tell funny stories. Unless you are a teammate or someone close to him, you wouldnt understand that side about him. But the thing I love about Peyton is that he hasnt changed one bit. He and his family are great people.

By Matt Doyle, World sports writer

P.J. Lassek 581-8382

pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com

ROONEY:

Missions in Iraq and helping others at home are Dans calling, he says.
tours of duty lasted months and years longer than his. Dan knew death existed in Iraq. He just never saw it from his viewpoint in the F-16. It was not until two years ago, on a United Airlines ight from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Mich., that the gravity of the war struck him in a jarring way.
through. He is very focused and motivated at whatever he takes on. You might say very determined, Jacqy Rooney said. If Dan says he is going to do something, he will do it.

Through a childs eyes

Dans mother Sandy does not believe in mere coincidences. She cant overlook the many that have happened to her son the past two-plus years. Dan was heading to the Passion play family course in Michigan in Dan soaked in that advice the spring of 2006 when the from his father, a retired captain of United ight 664 professor of geography at announced there was a true Oklahoma State University. American hero on the ight. He searched for something The body of that hero, he could be passionate Army corporal Brock Buckabout. lin, was in a wooden coffin But executing it was anbeing loaded into the planes other matter. cargo hatch, being own The Stillwater native home to Grand Rapids. dreamed golf would take Dan saw Bucklins brother, him places. He played colmother, father, wife and lege golf at the University of 4-year-old son Jacob as they Kansas and admits he posted waited on the tarmac as the a better score than Tiger coffin was unloaded. Woods on three different At that moment, Dan felt occasions in college. After both inadequate and motigraduating from KU in 1996, vated. He was witnessing Dan played various profesa military family as it lived sional mini-tours around the through its worst nightmare. Midwest. Looking into the little eyes He loves the sport, but of young Jacob Bucklin comthe grind took its toll. So, pelled Dan to do something. he gave up the dream of Later, Dans ideas for Patriot Golf Day and the Folds of playing in order to pursue Honor Foundation were a new avenue. Dan and his hatched from a scene etched father bought a golf course in his memory one he had in Grand Haven, Mich. Dan viewed from his seat on that served as head professional and John as course operator. United ight. It was one piece of the But around the projects puzzle that pushed me to do kickoff in 1998, Dan was something, he said. nurturing a new love yIn combat, you will see ing F-16 ghter jets. There was one problem, though. At death and destruction. It 26, he had neither ying nor occurs every day. But you military experience. He also never really see that side was nearing the training age that I saw on that ight of the Bucklins in their darkest limit of 27. hour. Having three daughLife is too short and you ters of my own, I felt a lot could say I started late, he of empathy and wondered, said. It was a rush to get into pilot training. But it was What if that was me? I felt inspired that was something something I was passionmore, a bigger plan, that I ate about and wanted to experience that rush of high could do. The seeds of Patriot Golf speeds in the air. Over the next three years, Day were sown out of charity tournaments the Rooneys he made it through the Air hosted at their course in National Guards training 2006 and 2007 to raise monprogram at warp speed. By ey for wounded and fallen 2002, he was deployed to Iraq for his rst tour of duty military personnel. The in Operation Iraqi Freedom. events raised almost $50,000 The rst few nights were combined, but not enough scary. to truly make the difference People wanting to kill you Dan wanted. does that, he said. But talks with inuential But that tour lasted less folks in the golf industry than 90 days, as did another jumpstarted the initial stint in 2005. Defending Patriot Golf Day nationwide Americas freedom in enemy on Labor Day weekend last territory is something he year. Nearly $1.1 million was takes pride in. But he viewed raised from public facilihis role as a small one. The ties charging an additional real heroes in this ght, Dan $1 in greens fees along with thought, were those soldiers private courses soliciting on the ground in Iraq whose donations. Dan hopes to

raise more $5 million for this years event, which is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at golf facilities across the country. The money raised goes to scholarships given by Dans foundation. Jacob Bucklin was one of 200 scholarship recipients from the initial class this year. Already we have changed hundreds of lives, and I hope we will change thousands of lives in the years to come, Dan said. The foundation has taught me that true fullness in life comes from giving of your time and talents to help make other lives better.

Sweet charity

Another coincidence also happened to Dan in 2006. He was paired with David Charney of the Owasso Land Trust in a charity golf tournament. Dan had a vision for a grand upscale private golf course. Charney had a vision for a grand residential development in rural Rogers County complete with a championship golf course. Between putts, pitches and drives that afternoon, Dans Patriot golf course at Charneys Stone Canyon development was born. The Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course is anticipated to be one of the top layouts in the state. And, Dans foundation will be headquartered at the course when the project is completed next summer. Jones and course builder Bill Kubly both made signicant donations to the foundation through their involvement in the Patriot course project. Part of the courses revenues will be given to the foundation. Unlike his mother, Dan has no problem in believing in coincidences. He calls them God Winks and is thankful they have appeared alongside his pursuit to make difference. On this Fourth of July, Dan said he will take time to appreciate the freedom his family and other Americans have today. While he admits there always is trepidation preparing for another tour of duty in Iraq coupled with extended time away from his wife and kids he understands it is part of his mission in life. Im just a humble, ordinary guy who has been incredibly blessed with extraordinary opportunities to serve this country, Dan said. Patriots come in many different shapes and forms and ways. I know now that this is my purpose, my true calling in life. This is what Im supposed to do.