Al Copeland - The Komeback Kid!!!!!!!
02-03-2008 | 12:59 PM
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From: The South -Prairieville @ New Orleans
Al Copeland - The Komeback Kid!!!!!!!
I flew from New Orleans to Los Angeles yesterday to visit Big Al for his (49th) 
birthday. When I was visiting him at the hospital in New Orleans about 4 weeeks ago I thought that maybe it would be the last time I ever saw him as he has been in the biggest battle of and for his life, that goes well beyond anyones imagination. AS I saw him in that bed I was struck by a thought that he and I have always had while we traveled and changed time zones toting our (stuff) everywhere we went. Including our watch's, money clips, just valuables in general. The time old "where's his stuff?" question just popped up in my mind as it always did while in hotel rooms, in cars, on boats etc.. That is when it really hit home I said to myself "he don't care about his **** now because just like me , you, and everyone else in this world , we are going out like we came in, with nothing. I was so humbled by seeing my larger than life friend totally incapacitated and helpless, depending on people and machines to do the simpleest task, such as breathing. When I left the hospital that day I decided that even if the worst would come to be that Big Al had gone way beyond the "gathering stuff" success's and had done what most men wish and dream to do from day one. He had left literally hundreds of thousands of good works and deeds and impressions on people all over the world and that in the end the "stuff" would be gone, dispersed, they would mean a little to a few but the impressions and influences that he had left on his family and friends would continue to do good through those he had left the impressions and influences on. Big Al will live on and on like this , and at that point I resolved to make every day a good day and to do my best to leave the positive impressions that he as well as others have shown me by example over the years. months, days, or even hours that I have left on this earth. Because life is so very fragile. In November in Destin, the day of race two Big Al was there in my support as well as offshore in general. He looked fantastic as alwys and the night before the race I was next door at his condo and he told me his jaw was swelling and kept bothering him and he was thinking of flying home after the race tomorrow and get his doctor to check it out. I kinda blew it off thinking as always that nothing can hurt this dude. He watched the heat in cat lite from his jet circling high over course and left just in time, (
the time right before Teague / Whittier passed us on lap 8 so we could get 2nd) We left for Key West and he called me 4 days later to tell me he had Merkel Cell Carcinoma a rare form of malinoma probably caused by exposure to sun. (wear sunblock and stay out of tanning booths!!!!) They gave him 20 to 1 odds to never leave the hospital in New Orleans, ( I coulda told them no problem if thats all they were) and last night he walked with his canes a bunch of steps, at the resteraunt we ate at in Santa Monica at which point he looked up and said "thats me , the Komeback Kid" . I am looking out over the pier at the Pacific and thinking of our first national race. It was The Ventura Grand Prix in 1979 and we rented a performance boat, twin stock 350's in a 30 ft Scarab, PURE INSANITY was the name of the boat and there were AT LEAST 8 OR NINE IN THE CLASS. We raced 225 miles and the last 100 were with no power steering. We came in second after Bill Gazelle's boat and we became OCEAN RACERS! We raced hundreds of races after that , some in south America and some in Europe. over 160 were national events in which I think we podiumed at least 80% of the time. First in open class and then in SUPERBOAT. One world in Key West, our first Key West was 1982, There were 6 legitimate 4 engine bohemouths at some events and it was crazy when they were all next to each other in big water. I sometimes wonder if someone could go back and see how many boats were beat each year by the winners because in the end thats what I want, to beat as many of my peers as I can. Dont get me wrong I do like the titles but the accolades given by peers is what means the most to me. I have gotten a bit off the subject as usual. The moral to my story is live each day in the fullest, each hour, stuff happens very fast. Leave good impressions and thoughts with people. Life for and under God's words and compassion. I am hear to also pray with my friend , imagine that , a bad boy like me 
, representing. I want to ask everyoe who has time to wish my friend well because he is in a huge battle and is leaving for Germany soon for some new scientific high tech wax. He reminds me of the joke where the dude goes to the doctor and the doctor tells him he has been burning candle from both ends and he tells the doctor "I knew that, I came for more wax!!!" I will show him this thread this evening and hopefully a few of you guys have time for some well birthday wishs. This dude is an icon. He is a legend in many things but Offshore is his heart.
Thanks everyone.
any messages straight to him can go to
[email protected]
Stan
Popeyes Race Team
birthday. When I was visiting him at the hospital in New Orleans about 4 weeeks ago I thought that maybe it would be the last time I ever saw him as he has been in the biggest battle of and for his life, that goes well beyond anyones imagination. AS I saw him in that bed I was struck by a thought that he and I have always had while we traveled and changed time zones toting our (stuff) everywhere we went. Including our watch's, money clips, just valuables in general. The time old "where's his stuff?" question just popped up in my mind as it always did while in hotel rooms, in cars, on boats etc.. That is when it really hit home I said to myself "he don't care about his **** now because just like me , you, and everyone else in this world , we are going out like we came in, with nothing. I was so humbled by seeing my larger than life friend totally incapacitated and helpless, depending on people and machines to do the simpleest task, such as breathing. When I left the hospital that day I decided that even if the worst would come to be that Big Al had gone way beyond the "gathering stuff" success's and had done what most men wish and dream to do from day one. He had left literally hundreds of thousands of good works and deeds and impressions on people all over the world and that in the end the "stuff" would be gone, dispersed, they would mean a little to a few but the impressions and influences that he had left on his family and friends would continue to do good through those he had left the impressions and influences on. Big Al will live on and on like this , and at that point I resolved to make every day a good day and to do my best to leave the positive impressions that he as well as others have shown me by example over the years. months, days, or even hours that I have left on this earth. Because life is so very fragile. In November in Destin, the day of race two Big Al was there in my support as well as offshore in general. He looked fantastic as alwys and the night before the race I was next door at his condo and he told me his jaw was swelling and kept bothering him and he was thinking of flying home after the race tomorrow and get his doctor to check it out. I kinda blew it off thinking as always that nothing can hurt this dude. He watched the heat in cat lite from his jet circling high over course and left just in time, (the time right before Teague / Whittier passed us on lap 8 so we could get 2nd) We left for Key West and he called me 4 days later to tell me he had Merkel Cell Carcinoma a rare form of malinoma probably caused by exposure to sun. (wear sunblock and stay out of tanning booths!!!!) They gave him 20 to 1 odds to never leave the hospital in New Orleans, ( I coulda told them no problem if thats all they were) and last night he walked with his canes a bunch of steps, at the resteraunt we ate at in Santa Monica at which point he looked up and said "thats me , the Komeback Kid" . I am looking out over the pier at the Pacific and thinking of our first national race. It was The Ventura Grand Prix in 1979 and we rented a performance boat, twin stock 350's in a 30 ft Scarab, PURE INSANITY was the name of the boat and there were AT LEAST 8 OR NINE IN THE CLASS. We raced 225 miles and the last 100 were with no power steering. We came in second after Bill Gazelle's boat and we became OCEAN RACERS! We raced hundreds of races after that , some in south America and some in Europe. over 160 were national events in which I think we podiumed at least 80% of the time. First in open class and then in SUPERBOAT. One world in Key West, our first Key West was 1982, There were 6 legitimate 4 engine bohemouths at some events and it was crazy when they were all next to each other in big water. I sometimes wonder if someone could go back and see how many boats were beat each year by the winners because in the end thats what I want, to beat as many of my peers as I can. Dont get me wrong I do like the titles but the accolades given by peers is what means the most to me. I have gotten a bit off the subject as usual. The moral to my story is live each day in the fullest, each hour, stuff happens very fast. Leave good impressions and thoughts with people. Life for and under God's words and compassion. I am hear to also pray with my friend , imagine that , a bad boy like me , representing. I want to ask everyoe who has time to wish my friend well because he is in a huge battle and is leaving for Germany soon for some new scientific high tech wax. He reminds me of the joke where the dude goes to the doctor and the doctor tells him he has been burning candle from both ends and he tells the doctor "I knew that, I came for more wax!!!" I will show him this thread this evening and hopefully a few of you guys have time for some well birthday wishs. This dude is an icon. He is a legend in many things but Offshore is his heart. Thanks everyone.
any messages straight to him can go to
[email protected]
Stan
Popeyes Race Team
02-03-2008 | 01:47 PM
#2
Easily Distracted
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,942
Likes: 2
From: Bucyrus, Ohio
Very cool write up for a friend Stan. 
Best of luck to Al, prayers for the continued recovery. God bless you both
Best of luck to Al, prayers for the continued recovery. God bless you both
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Last edited by Racegirl3; 02-03-2008 at 03:22 PM.
02-03-2008 | 02:14 PM
#4
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 545
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From: Cortez,Fl
Get well soon Big Al
I met Al Copeland last year during Madri Gras. I had aproached Stan months earlier about a business venture which he graciuosly considered. Anyway, I was in Baton Rouge in one of Stan's stores doing my " chicken training ".
I had no idea what Madri Gras was. One night Stan tells me that I was not going to work the next day and we were going to see Big Al in New Orleans. The next day we got to Big Al house and the first person to greet us was Big Al. He gave Stan and LyAnn a big hug and to me he extended his hand and said, "Al Copeland". Anybody who has met Al will tell you that his charisma is what sets him apart in a crowd. There were 3 white vans which got complete full of people that were going to the parade. I still had no clue what was to happen next. One state trooper car led the caravan while another trooper car followed. We got escorted all the way down to the staging area where the parade was to start. Stan says, "You will never forget this night buddy". Still I had no idea what was coming. We get escorted to the float where Big Al and his family ride on. Al's STUFF is 3 blocks long. He brings out his monster trucks,motorcycles,drag cars and to musch STUFF that I cant remember. The float is an ex-raceboat.
The parade starts and everybody was having a great time. After a couple hours I keep seeing these sighs that read " In Al we trust". Than it hit me. This man that I had just met is admired by all of these people. So, I go up to Al and ask him why not run for office. He replies" They would not know what to do whith a guy like me in office". Al has touched the lives of many people and I thank you for touching mine.
I will post other interestin stories that Al has told me about racing later. Hurry up Al we need you to make Sunny Isles so you can tell us in your own words some of these great stories.
Your friend,
Wil Ros
I had no idea what Madri Gras was. One night Stan tells me that I was not going to work the next day and we were going to see Big Al in New Orleans. The next day we got to Big Al house and the first person to greet us was Big Al. He gave Stan and LyAnn a big hug and to me he extended his hand and said, "Al Copeland". Anybody who has met Al will tell you that his charisma is what sets him apart in a crowd. There were 3 white vans which got complete full of people that were going to the parade. I still had no clue what was to happen next. One state trooper car led the caravan while another trooper car followed. We got escorted all the way down to the staging area where the parade was to start. Stan says, "You will never forget this night buddy". Still I had no idea what was coming. We get escorted to the float where Big Al and his family ride on. Al's STUFF is 3 blocks long. He brings out his monster trucks,motorcycles,drag cars and to musch STUFF that I cant remember. The float is an ex-raceboat.
The parade starts and everybody was having a great time. After a couple hours I keep seeing these sighs that read " In Al we trust". Than it hit me. This man that I had just met is admired by all of these people. So, I go up to Al and ask him why not run for office. He replies" They would not know what to do whith a guy like me in office". Al has touched the lives of many people and I thank you for touching mine.
I will post other interestin stories that Al has told me about racing later. Hurry up Al we need you to make Sunny Isles so you can tell us in your own words some of these great stories.
Your friend,
Wil Ros
02-03-2008 | 06:29 PM
#9
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Posts: 3,392
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From: racing capitol of the world
Al,
from the Stancombe family to yours, you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. You are one of the guys that got us to want to be in this sport. and just meeting you was always a treat. You will be back, you will be fine. I have seen the power of prayer in these times and i will say it is stronger than ever. As my son turns one in a few days and george and i have ours in a few weeks, i wish you a wonderfull birthday. you are surrounded by people who truly care for you and your well being.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
god bless you
and get well
Mike Stancombe
PEPPERS RACING
from the Stancombe family to yours, you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. You are one of the guys that got us to want to be in this sport. and just meeting you was always a treat. You will be back, you will be fine. I have seen the power of prayer in these times and i will say it is stronger than ever. As my son turns one in a few days and george and i have ours in a few weeks, i wish you a wonderfull birthday. you are surrounded by people who truly care for you and your well being.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
god bless you
and get well
Mike Stancombe
PEPPERS RACING
Last edited by racesdad; 02-03-2008 at 08:10 PM.
02-03-2008 | 06:41 PM
#10
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Jenison Mi.
Al get well soon
I met Al several times over the years racing and this man is always a gentlman.The last time was at Key West after the party he put on for everyone and I mean everyone.When I thanked him for inviting us he asked if we had a good time?My answer was we all had a grate time.He replied than it was a good party and thanked us for coming.Big Al thank you agan.
Dave Wesseldyk
Dave Wesseldyk
