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Captain Dan's Dream Team

Each year since May of 2002 Captain Dan Dream Team gets together at Lucan City Park to host a weekend of fun family activites, we play softball, volleyball, beanbag, dodgeball, basketball, host children’s activities,5oo balloon release to loved ones, full grill, beer wagon, concessions and of course there is music both days. We do this to celebrate life and to tribute all the things that Daniel Ourada enjoyed doing with his family and friends.

Daniel is the son of Terry and Laurie Ourada, brother of Andrea, Brandon, Michael and Dominic.
He was a 4th year student at SMSU in Marshall, MN and a wrestler for the Mustangs, wrestling at  157#.

On Dec. 28, 2001 while driving back to Marshall, where he lived, he was killed at a negligent bridge site near his home on a gravel road. The communities of SMSU, Lucan, Wabasso and Milroy as well as many surrounding communities and organizations rallied together to help the family in any way possible. The response was so overwhelming and there were so many requests of how can we help? Then Andy Ourada came forward with the idea to start a scholarship in Daniel’s memory at SMSU and the seed of Captain Dan Fun Days was planted. The rest is history as you will read.

Captain Dan Dream Team is comprised of a group of very dedicated family and friends who each Jan. meet to plan the next May’s events. Everyone volunteers their time, why do they do it, because they believe in this event and its cause, the camaraderie, the fun and just because we can… the proceeds have exceeded everyone’s expectations year after year the past 6 events and all monies are put back into the communities of the local area and organizations that Daniel was involved in. I, Laurie Ourada, call it my “celebration of life weekend.”

2009 Photos

“Embrace Life”

“Hope sees the invisible, Feels the intangible, and Achieves the impossible”

~Helen Keller

Each year I choose a quote or theme for our Captain Dan Days event, I pondered long and hard on which quote I feel is the focal point I want to make this event. After sharing several with my family, we chose the above and then submitted to Coach John Sterner to come up with a design to fit the quote, and he of course created a beautiful eagle design with full wing span. We used his design with the quote on our shirts and hoodies and even had an embroidered patch made with the design. It has been said to me several times over that we put a lot of heart into our event!! We do work really hard to try to make this a special event, maybe even like a family reunion of sorts and it is working, there are many families who come and spend the entire two days here, we try to cater to the young kids and family and have fun music and games going on at random times throughout the park. It has been stated that we pay attention to detail, I believe that if we touch just one more family or individual at our event and make them feel good or special then it is well worth all the effort put forth. My dad always told me,

” What goes around comes around ” My family has been blessed ten thousand times over with the love and support of family, friends and community after our son Daniel was killed at that ugly bridge site.

Then our daughter was deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk pilot and again we were surrounded by love and support all through her deployment and the welcome home ceremony….

A soldier this weekend came up to me and thanked me for welcoming her home, she had served in Iraq and when she came home wasn’t met at the airport by family or friends, her job wasn’t waiting for her and she had no place to call home, her husband had left her and  this was her first Captain Dan event, this was the first time she witnessed a Patriot Guard Rider stand flag line, she broke into tears and stated, “I just need to hear that someone appreciated what I did” I told her I appreciated her and then I shook her hand and looking directly into her eyes said, “thank you and welcome home”.

Another story I want to share with you is of when our daughter came home from Iraq this past July of 08. She did not come home with the main body of soldiers as planned, she learned of several soldiers who needed to get home and there were no seats left on aircraft, so she and several other soldiers from her battalion gave up their seats, only to leave a week later to return home to America. The main body of soldiers received a large welcome home, PGR flag line, TV coverage, journalists everywhere as it well should be. When the small group returned behind the main body, it was a small welcome home, PGR flag line, mostly family waiting impatiently at the gates for their soldiers. But what will forever stand out in my mind is of one lone soldier still standing on the curb, cell phone to ear, bags at his feet, parking lot empty of cars, everyone gone except our family and him, we approached him and asked if he was waiting for a ride, he stated that he couldn’t reach anyone to come get him…we immediately told him we could take him wherever he needed to go and we meant it, even if it meant traveling to the northern border or southern border, we would give this soldier a ride home. As he picked up his bags to come with us to our vehicle,  a car pulled up beside him, the driver rolled down her window half way, stated, ‘ hurry up I haven’t got all day”!!

There was no, “welcome home Joe”… just, “ hurry up, I have things to do and you are making me late.” I wanted to ask that young lady to step out of her car and tell her a thing or two about respect, dignity and gratitude for our soldiers, but she was in too much of a hurry chatting away on her cell phone to give me a second glance. This is America, Land of the Free and our soldiers fight for her rights too. Crazy!!

That my friends is why we do what we do at Captain Dan Days event on Sunday of the past 6 years, we tribute our soldiers, veterans and families. We honor our fallen heros and the families left behind. We fly in a Blackhawk to land in our little city park. We thank the Mn. Patriot Guard Riders with a fly over of Ron Fagen’s WWII planes, we bring the Freedom Flight hotair balloon to help expose our kids and communities to the “real” world. Do our kids even know what MIA/POW, KIA, WIA stands for ?

 I feel it an honor to invite our Patriot Guard Riders to our event to stand silent flag line. It is my duty to support my neighbors, friends and family sons and daughters as they serve in the military.  One of my favorite quotes is this and it says it all…

“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ, who died for your soul and the American Soldier, who died for your Freedom”   
~Tony Blair

Our 8th Captain Dan weekend has come and gone and left behind many great memories. The weather was cool but dry. We even lite our fire pots each day to warm ourselves while taking time to chat with a friend. We hosted a 10 team softball tourney, 6 teams of volleyball, one classy act was displayed by a new entry to volleyball, after winning the tourney the team from Franklin stopped and said thank you to the team captains and then bought a cold beverage for each of the other team place winners. We welcome them back again next year. Go Franklin !

Beanbag was run by Brandon and Sandy O.  kids dodgeball ref’ed by Paul and Jan Brown, obstacle courses hosted by Dustin and Darcy Tietz, lil’ tots playtime run by Sheila Rubendall , Jessica’s lil’ pony rides, Rockwall and obstacle course by Nat’l Guard. We had volunteers from community service, family, friends, Confirmation kids, NHS kids. There was activity going on everywhere….and the music was amazing DJ Dave Munsell once again serenaded our guests with music in all parts of the park. He is one amazing, talented, energetic, music loving man….then we were treated to a “live band” on Sunday with Larry Mages and family, they learned several new songs for our ceremony and balloon release…we are forever grateful for their presence and we will always welcome them back to our Captain Dan Days.

We inflated 500 balloons in an hour with the help of our Compassionate Friends group for the balloon release on Sunday. It was breath-taking to watch as our volunteers carried the bundles of balloons from Com. Center to be gifted to our guests…it was so pretty to see all the colors mingled in the park and the then there were the hundreds of flags being displayed by guests as we awaited the arrival of 50 plus Patriot Guard Riders into Lucan.

Our focal point this year was to thank the Mn. Patriot Guard Riders for all they do to support our soldiers and their families.  So with special permission we dedicated the ceremony to the PGR. We thanked the PGR for standing flag line at funerals, prayer services, welcome home and send off ceremonies. We thanked them for doing, “what is the right thing to do.” We thank them for forming the Red, White and Blue between grieving military families and radical protestors. They provide support, respect, comfort, pride and reassurance and they do so quietly without need for recognition. Our Captain Dan Dream Team had a special patch designed especially for the PGR and gifted each one in flag line with one to say thank you for helping to support our mission of honoring our soldiers and their families.

At this point our eyes were directed to the skies just south of Lucan as we heard the roar of a P40 and a P51 piloted by Ron Fagen and his son from Granite Falls. They did two passes over the park in tribute to the PGR, our veterans and soldiers. They flew just above the tree tops it seemed and left a deep impression in many a veterans heart and a tear formed on many cheeks, as I witnessed several nearby wipe them away. Later these same veterans came to thank me for arranging this amazing show and I in turn thanked them for their service. My dad would have been so proud, for he too served in Korea on a tank and was a very proud veteran.

Sawyer Stevens and his dad Daniel (veteran of Desert Storm) along with Sawyer’s boy scout troop raised an American flag that was gifted to Alan Peterson, PGR sector captain by Captain Andrea Ourada. Kathy Meyers a PGR member sang the Nat’l Anthem. Brian Sams read a poem titled:

”I Stand for Those Who Have Fallen”. Duane Frank shared his impression of being welcomed home by the PGR. Laura Olson, KLGR shared her story of time in Iraq as a reporter. Larry Mages band performed the song, Strangers on Steel Horses, in tribute to the PGR.

And we ended with a dove release by the following

Rob and Cecilia Senkyr released a dove in tribute to Ana Marie who was born to eternal life on Jan. 15, 2009.

Chris Dunsmore a 23 year Nat’l Guard and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran released a dove in tribute to fallen soldiers whom he served with in Iraq:

1Lt Jason Timmerman, SSG David Day, SGT Jesse Lhotka.

Alan Schunk released a dove in memory of his son Shawn and all victims of suicide, while we continue our journey here with peace of mind knowing you are now in God’s hands and we remain blessed with the gift of you. Today we celebrate your life. As the doves are released they go their separate ways, like you….going home!

And the final event of ceremony was the balloon release, my personal favorite, my time to think of my son…we ask our guests to close their eyes and get a picture of their loved one in mind…the song, “Sissy’s Song” is sang by Larry Mages and when ready to release your own balloon to the heavens….just imagine the sky so blue, and hundreds of colorful balloons floating towards  the heavens….hugs, tears, memories, smiles…life is good,  God is great….Amen

Kindest Regards,

Laurie Ourada

Captain Dan Dream Team, Inc.

The Ourada Family

News

Your Invite to Capt Dan Fun Days 2011:

I am sending out a note to let everyone know we are planning our 10th and last event on May 14-15 at Lucan City park. It has been a memorable ride and one we will forever hold in our hearts. Each and everyone of you that has attended, played, worked, prayed for good weather, etc, is so very appreciated.

We feel sad to say this is the last, but as a good friend recently told me, "all good things must come to an end"...this journy we are on with life is amazing, we have made so many new close friends, we have experienced life at its best, we have met some of the best people on earth, we have gained much insight, we have gained faith beyond measure, we have learned what it truely means to walk with Jesus. I truely now understand that from every thing comes something good, we have to look hard to find it, but it is there.

Our son, Daniel is missed every single day in our family, he is loved beyond measure, he will never be forgotten... this event was started in memory of him, but has grown beyond and embraced so many loved ones, both young and old...

Just think of all the balloons we have released in memory of our loved ones at our event alone, at 500 plus each event for 9 years that is over 4500 balloons released to heaven, what a faithfilled message we deliver. Jesus certainly must be listening and smiling down on us.

I am inviting you to join us May 14 -15 at Lucan for a weekend of family fun, games, entertainment, music, laughter, hugs and just for the fun of being together with the ones you love.

We are signing teams for softball, volleyball, basketball, beanbag, and kids dodgeball. We will also need grillers, food servers, concessions workers, beertenders, and just folks to come support our cause... Contact me if interested in joining us..

Laurie and Terry family, Captain Dan Dream Team Inc

Apperal is Ready to Order

Captain Dan Dream Team Apparel is ready to order. Deadline to order pre-event is Thurs. April 21

We have lots of colors and sizes available for you. Please look over carefully, if interested email me your choices, confirm amount due with me and send me payment via check. I will take orders starting today thru next Thurs. April 21st at 8:00 pm. Will place order on Friday, April 22. Apparel needs to come in and be printed before Captain Dan event May 14th. I will have your apparel at event or you can pick up from me at my home. Send check to me at Laurie Ourada, 17303 State Hwy 68, Lucan, Mn 56255. Please pay when you order, I want to pay cash when I pick up order prior to event. thanks. Laurie Ourada eagle157@means.net

Gildan Brand Tee shirts
The tee shirts will have a front and back design.
Colors: Sand, Irish green, Heliconia pink, Iris blue these will have dark brown ink design.
Color: Dark chocolate with a Carolina blue ink design.
Cost: sm-xl $15.00, XXL $17.00, 3XL $19.00

Gildan Brand Long sleeve tee shirt
The long sleeve tee shirts will have 4 print locations front, back and each sleeve will have a full design of eagle feather.
Colors: sand, sangria pink, irish green, these will have dark brown ink.
Color: dark chocolate will have Carolina blue ink
Cost: sm-XL $25.00, XXL $27.00, 3XL $28.00

Kids tee shirts
Front and back design only
xs (2-4) s(6-8) Med. (10-12) Large (14-16) xl (18-20)
Colors: heliconia pink, daisy yellow, irish green all 3 listed will have dark brown ink.
Color: dark chocolate will have Carolina blue ink.
Cost $15.00

Kids long sleeve tee shirt
4 locations of design, front, back, both sleeves
Xs(2-4) sm(6-8) med (10-12) large (14-16) xl (18-20)
Colors: lime, yellow, and Kelly green will have dark brown ink design
Color: black and ash will have carolina blue ink design.
Cost $23.00

Adult Gildan Hooded Sweatshirts
4 locations of design, front, back and both sleeves
Colors: heliconia pink will have dark brown ink design.
Color: Dark brown will have Carolina blue ink design.
Cost: sm –XL $31.00 , XXL $34.00
Sizes 3XL – 5XL are available in sport grey and black with Carolina blue ink design
Cost: 3XL $36.00, 4XL $39.00, 5XL $40.00

Kids hooded sweatshirt
4 locations of design front, back, and both sleeves
Sm(6-8) med. (10-12) large (14-16) xl (18-20)
Color for kids: Carolina blue hoodie with dark brown ink
Color for kids: Dark brown hoodie with Carolina blue ink.
Cost $30.00

Infant onsies long sleeve
ultramarine Blue with White trim
front and back print only
Cost $15.00

Toddler full zipper hoodie
Sizes Toddler 2, 3, 4
Front and back design
Black with a Carolina blue design print
Cost $22.00

Captin Dan's Dream Team Making Memories

Laurie, Terry Ourada, Joe Kemp AD at Wabasso, coach Gary Hindt, coach Brett Bartholomaus

Nine years after his death, Daniel's legacy lives on in the Wabasso/RRC wrestling program and in the community he grew up in

January 21, 2011 - By Matt Dahlseid mdahlseid@marshallindependent.com

Daniel Ourada loved wrestling.

He was drawn to the sport's competitive nature, the sense of camaraderie among teammates and the life lessons learned from being on and around the mat.

In his fourth year as a student at Southwest Minnesota State, where he was a co-captain of the Mustang wrestling team, the former state qualifier for Wabasso felt it was about time to introduce his then 4-year-old brother, Dominic, to the sport that he and his two other brothers (Brandon and Michael) had grown up with. Daniel bought Dominic his first pair of wrestling shoes for a Christmas gift and was eager to begin teaching his little brother the basics that he had learned from his father, Terry Ourada.

Then on Dec. 28, 2001, just two days after he gifted Dominic his new shoes, Daniel died in a car accident at a bridge construction site that hadn't been barricaded.

Instead of remaining immersed in grief following the tragedy, the Ourada family looked for ways to remember Daniel and his glowing personality in a positive way. They first started a wrestling scholarship in his name at SMSU, and that idea led to the creation of Captain Dan Days, a charitable event that has been held each May for the past nine years at the Lucan City Park.

"The event was made to celebrate life, not only to help us to remember Daniel, but for others who have lost loved ones as well," said Laurie Ourada, Daniel's mother. "Each May, we come together as friends and family and as a community to celebrate life by doing all of the things that Daniel loved to do with his family and friends, like playing beanbag and softball, listening to music and cooking burgers on the grill."

More than $80,000 have been raised through Captain Dan Days, with the proceeds going toward local projects or organizations that Daniel held dear.

Since wrestling played a large role in Daniel's life, a portion of the money has been used to help his former teams. Endowment funds have been set up in Daniel's name at SMSU for the Mustangs and in Wabasso Area for the Wabasso/Red Rock Central wrestling teams, with a yearly scholarship being awarded to the wrestler of each team that best exemplifies the spirit of Daniel and his sportsmanship, hard work and community involvement.

Last April, Laurie called up Wabasso/RRC co-head coach Gary Hindt and asked him if he had a wish list for the wrestling program. With the Wabasso and RRC wrestling programs combining last season, Hindt said the team hadn't been properly outfitted and he asked for warmups and singlets, this is exactly what Laurie wanted to hear as she felt the team needed to be jazzed up a bit, everybody likes to look good and this is something we could help with.

"We didn't really have any warmups," said Hindt, who has coached all four Ourada boys, along with their father. "We'd just been going with plain Jane cotton sweat pants and sweatshirts. We kind of threw our programs together pretty fast and, when that happened, we were caught a little off guard with finances the way they are with the public schools these days."

On Jan. 10, before the Bobcats took on Class A's second-ranked team in front of a packed Wabasso High School gym, the Ourada family presented a $2,500 check to the Wabasso/RRC wrestling program. Instead of only being able to purchase warmups for a small portion of the roster, Hindt said the Bobcats were able to get 40 warmups thanks to the donation. Hindt said many of his wrestlers helped out at Captain Dan Days last May and that they appreciate what the event stands for and what it has provided for them.

Now an eighth-grader, Dominic is a member of the Bobcats junior varsity team and said he thinks of Daniel every time he puts on his warmups.

"It makes me feel good to know that his spirit lives on and everyone is keeping him in their minds," said Dominic, who still has the shoes Daniel gave him for Christmas displayed on a shelf in his family's home.

Laurie says it's fitting that Daniel has been able to help others even after his death, considering the way he lived his life.

"He was very caring,outgoing and friendly," she said. "He always gave a helping hand or a pat on the back to anyone who needed it. He was a very kind young man, always a twinkle in his eyes and a smile to share.

"On the mat, all of his teammates said he was very nurturing and considerate and was always helping build people up."

Daniel majored in kinesiology and sports management at SMSU and had a minor in coaching. Laurie said that he had wanted to coach high school wrestling and eventually help out at the collegiate level.

Even when Daniel was in high school, Hindt said he could tell Daniel would have made a good coach.

"He looked after the younger kids," Hindt said. "He always came into the wrestling room and if someone needed help, he was the first one to grab them and show them different techniques. Even when he was in college, he would come back to help his brothers and the other wrestlers with things that he had picked up wrestling in college or at camps."

Dominic was too young to have the opportunity to benefit from Daniel's vast wealth of wrestling knowledge, but he's still able to draw inspiration from his big brother as he grows as a person and as a wrestler.

"He told me to always do your best," Dominic said. "I ask him to help me before every match." "I hope I can be as good a person as him one day."

Andrea Ourada interview on youtube