Courage is defined in having mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand hardship, fear or extreme difficulty.

Not everyone has the chance to be courageous in their life, not everyone has the medal to be courageous when hardship, fear, and extreme difficulty are looking them in the eye. Some turn away, some run, others simply break under the pressure. Yet still, there are those who accept these conditions and meet them with resilience, fortitude, and an unbroken spirit.

In times of hardship these are the people the rest of us look to for guidance and strength, and even as Debra Card lay dying of cancer, she was the strength and pillar for those around her. And in her final days she defined courage.

Deb passed away January 6, 2006 and for those who knew her she was one of the most thoughtful and caring people on this planet.

She loved young people, from her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her god-daughter, as well as many others that came in contact with her throughout her life.

The children of Africa were extra special to her, she would always make sure Roger would take something on his trips for the young people.

Deb felt as home in the kitchen cooking for those who came to Card’s Draw as she did in the field. She loved hunting and was very accomplished. She holds the Grand Slam of Rams and is the owner of the worlds largest moose. She was the first woman member of the Mid Michigan chapter of the Safari Club International. Deb was also a life member of the national SCI.

Most of all Deb loved giving to others, it drove her, made her happy and gave her the sense of unimagined satisfaction. Whether it was for health reasons, family problems, or financial troubles many people looked to her for comfort.

And tonight we want to continue that legacy to the Debra Card Courage Award. This award will be given annually to an individual that displays courage, whether it be someone with a mental or physical disability that has overcome a severe hardship in life or someone who has served our country, we want to acknowledge them with this award.

A committee will then select an applicant each year to be announced at the annual awards banquet in February. The selected applicant will be awarded a trophy and a whitetail buck hunt at Card’s Draw in Mecosta, Michigan.