45to40 on board

Hello everybody. I have always been a 1911 and 12ga pump man but always longed for a semi-auto assault type rifle after I shot a friends FN-FAL in .308. I finally reached a point in my life where I just said "it's time". Being in the dark would be an understatement, and local dealers helped a little, but until I found 68forums my wheels were just spinning and going nowhere. Besides all the great detailed info and dedicated sections for vendors, what impressed me most was what a great feeling of community and cooperation is prevalent all through. Many forums you have a bunch of egos trying to slam anyone to make themselves feel important. Here everybody really tries to help (and throw in a Texas sized helping of humor while at it !). I can't even begin to add up the amount of dough you guys have saved me, not to mention the wasted time and frustration saved too. I figured I had better snap to and post here before anybody thought I was a slimy lurker! :a08:
Even though I am from the commie liberal state of CA, I do come from a patriotic family. My father fought in the Battle of the Bulge, then after the war joined the CA State Police and served on the Dignitary Protection Unit, at times protecting Ronald Reagan. I tried to follow in his footsteps by joining the Navy at 18 (end of Nam) and tried to join the teams. Thats when I found out my vision would keep me from any Spec Ops or law Enforcement so I finished my 4 years on the USS Point Defiance LSD-31. My brother proudly served on the" Mighty Mo" around the gulf war period.
Long story short, sincerely thank you to all who help provide "our home" and everybody!