A Little History on the founder Howard Pollack, written by Ted Griner, a Howard Pollack Award recipient
During our chapters early years Howard served as president. Our banquets were black tie affairs & were held near Capitol Hill with many politicians attending. After a number of years there was some big egos at play & many members left to form the Chesapeake Chapter. For a number of years NCCSCI struggled to even exist. I remember a banquet in Vienna that about 15 members attended & our chapter president resigned. Fortunately, our chapter survived some hard times & is prospering.
Most of you know little about Howard other than he founded our chapter & was a US congressman from Alaska. Howard was a very private person & never boasted about his many accomplishments. Howard served in WWII & losthis right hand, but never let his disability interfere with hunting or his life. He was a very accomplished hunter & went on 32 safaris taking most of the available African trophies with a handgun. When the Cape Buffalo in the Teddy Roosevelt exhibit at NRA became shabby, after many years, Howard replaced it with one from his collection. In later years Howard accompanied his extended family on additional safaris renewing friendships in Africa & took great pride in his sons & daughters & grand kids taking trophies. Howard had many relationships in Africa since he was a UN election official as democracies began to evolve. Some more successful than others.
Howard was president of the NRA & long time board member as well as VP of SCI. Howard & I traveled to many SCI & NRA meetings together & I always cherished our time together. When in his 70’s he was approached by the UN to attempt to develop a hunting industry in Afghanistan. Ron Pitts, Howard, & several UN officials traveled to Afghanistan to hunt Snow Sheep. This hunt took place at very high altitudes & the village guides were members of the Taliban. Despite the rugged conditions Howard & Ron were successful. During the hunt a rare Snow Leopard was sighted on a nearby mountain. After the hunt the villagers took them to a sort of bazaar where many native items were for sale. Ron saw a beautiful Snow Leopard coat that fit him perfectly. Unfortunately, Snow Leopards are endangered so Ron couldn’t buy the coat. Later the villagers had a celebration which included traditional music & dancing by the men. As Ron & Howard were dancing with the male Taliban a young woman with her daughter were seating outside the dance area. Without thinking Ron pulled the little girl onto the dance floor. The music stopped & suddenly over 40-AK47’s were pointed at them. After a few tense seconds the UN interpreter gained control & the music resumed. Both were elated when the plane flew them out of Afghanistan.
Howard traced his ancestry to the Malta Knights. While in his 80’s Howard took great pride that he & his family was granted a private audience with the pope. Despite his many accomplishments I believe Howard Pollack would prefer to be best known for his love of God, family, & country.
