Gentlemen of the Brigade and the Army of the West:

It is with difficultly that I inform you of my last confrontation with health issues. I spent last week in the hospital with cellulites in the left leg. If the infection had reached the bone, there was every real possibility that I might have lost my leg.

How did this come about, by over extending myself before I was completely healed from the heart operation? I became week and the infection set in. I am on the mend, but the 2003 season is over for the General. With that being said, please don't misunderstand, just the season is over for me and with that I here by appoint Colonel Huckabee as my replacement for the Bentonville, Arkansas event and for Osceola, Missouri event Col. Scott Hughes. Please give these able commanders your support.

I had planed for Bentonville for the Army of the West to be operational. This is still my wish, and I am sure that Colonel Huckabee will command the Army of the West with all the zeal that I would. Bentonville is to be the stepping-stone to lead us into the 2004 season. The 2004 season promises to one of the best in the past ten years. The future lies within us to plan and promote our own events with our federal counter parts. This is the future and I truly believe this.

Please give Willie (Colonel Huckabee) you're very best, and may god bless each of you. Remember there is no better. As you charge a cross the field, remember I am with you and raise a rebel yell that awakes all the heavens.

John Beck