Been two months now.....

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well, it's been two months since my last post. Lots has happened. But this post will be happily submitted regarding the home-coming of my Marine Son Cpl. Dan. It was a wild scene at Camp Lejeune's Court House Bay housing complex when the Marines of the 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion, H & S, 2nd and 3rd platoons returned from their second deployment in Iraq. Families, friends and fellow Marines were on hand to welcome everyone home.

We arrived at Jacksonville, NC (just outside Camp LeJeune) the day before the Marines arrived and we set up (along with all the other parents and families) miles of welcome home banners. It was truly a site to see.
(click on the photo to enlarge then hit back button to return here)

The arrow points to our banners, the big yellow one and the white one between the American Flag and the Marine Corps Flag, both of which (flags) we brought with us. The Marine welcoming committee set up a huge tent and supplied the families with refreshments (pizza and sodas). Jay took video pictures with my Kodak digital camera. He stood up on the balcony to get a good view when the busses arrived and yelled like hell as soon as he saw his brother, Dan, get off the bus.

After we hugged Dan (Rachel and I) Dan ran to hug Jay, who at the same time ran down from the balcony. With tears of joy, the two brothers hugged and held on for quite awhile.

As soon as the Marines were released, we took Dan back to our hotel to "freshen up" and then out to dinner at his favorite restaurant, The Texas Roadhouse. Dan had his last resturant meal there before leaving in January and his first upon return... fitting...no?

We had a fine time, ate and drank well and then went back to the hotel to rest and talk and talk and talk. It was great seeing him home again. Everyone commented how much Dan and I look alike... I see it too...

On the left is me as a USMC Sgt (circa 1973) and Dan (taken at this years Marine Corps ball, more on that later)

Well, he's home...For awhile anyway... He's fixed up his room to his liking ( I think) and is now taking a long deserved rest. None of us know what the future holds...But we hope it's not another trip back to the sand-box. Later...

It's Great Day!!!

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


IF YOU ARE VISITING FROM MARINEPARENTS.COM... WELCOME... PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS AT THE END OF EACH ENTRY. THANKS.... SEMPER FI!

IF YOU ARE READING MY BLOG FOR THE FIRST TIME, REALIZE THE FIRST ENTRY IS THE MOST RECENT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET MORE BACKGROUND, START AT THE BEGINNING, AUGUST 2004 IN THE ARCHIVES (links on right side)

Today is Thursday September 22 and I heard from my Marine son, Dan. He called from Al Asad, Iraq... The news was the best... his unit is being replaced and will soon be coming home. Thank G-d. He said no more patrols...I am on cloud 9.

When I arrived at work tonight... I found out that a local paper had done an article about Dan... This is a "full size" newspaper and they devoted a full page plus to Dan's story. Included in the article were pictures of Dan, Dan's grandfather (also a Marine) and me. In addition, a photo of the Commanding General of Paris Island when Dan graduated as honor man of his platoon, in April of 2002. What a great article... I have to go to the newspapers office tomorrow and pick up extra copies...

Jay left today to go to Boston. He is to be "best man" and a friends wedding. He'll be home next week and we have lot's to do around the house before Dan comes home.

Rachel and I received our results from our EMT exams... we both passed. Rachel is going for her EMT-CC certification and has another test to take.

That's about all I've got for now... will be back again soon... thanks for reading.

An Anniversary and No Winner...

Well... today is September 18, 2005. My wife passed away 14 years ago today. I still miss her... I'll always love her...

As posted previously... went today to Blazing Bucks fund raiser for a neighboring fire department... big money... but no winners for us... Rachel joined us too and we had a good time with lots of friends, went to dinner with Liz afterwards...

see ya later...

Wish Us Luck....

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well it's been almost 20 days since my last post. I've heard from Dan in Iraq twice since 31 August, He's been busy. Lots happening there and though he must be cryptic in his conversations with me, I get the jist of what he is encountering on his patrols. I will obviously have to wait for details when he comes home. But at last contact, he is of good health and seems psychologically stable. If that's at all possible in a war zone.

I have been reading and highly recommend another blog. Embedded writer and former US Army Special Forces member Michael Yon, has a blog about his adventures and the REAL story of what is happening in Iraq. At least with the units to which he is attached. At his own expense, with the help of donations, Michaels accounts of day to day events is riveting. Some times too much so for a father of a Marine still there in the thick of it. But if you get the chance, check out www.michaelyon.blogspot.com.

Here at home... hummmmm let's see... Replaced the alternator on my car, attained longevity at work,(5 yrs full time service) and got to see my oldest son, Jay come home from Erie, PA.... Rachel and I are still waiting for our results on her EMT-CC exam and my re-cert for my EMT. Time will tell.

Speaking of Jay, I have oft referred to things that happen in our lives as "providence" Something meant to be... Well I found another instance... Jay, if you have read previous posts of mine, sails on tall ships. He is an able bodied seaman and knows his stuff and loves to sail. Jay sailed again this summer (as last summer) on the US Brig Niagara out of Erie PA on Lake Erie. Prior to accepting the position this year, Jay applied for work on the ship, The Pride of Baltimore. They were sailing to Europe and would be participating in a race with other tall ships. Well, and here is where providence comes in, Jay did not get the position this round, but has hopes for the furture.
The Pride of Baltimore, in the first week or so in September, while in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France, hit a squal (bad weather, high seas) and was totally demasted. This means all the masts were broken. the upper deck of the ship destroyed. Amazingly, no one was killed or injured. I was shocked to see the pictures of the damage and sure glad Jay was not on that ship. Providence.. Whew....

Anyway, Jay came home around September 12th and brought a kitten with him. So now my household has one 5 year old cat, a 5 month old dog and a 3 month old kitten... oy.

Things with the volunteer ambulance company of which I belong for the past 18 years are status quo. Still not enough volunteers to handle all the calls, all the time. This leads to mutual aid requests from neighboring departments and is becoming a drain on all them. We should have had paid first responders in place over a year ago but our board of officers and board of directors does not see the problem or wishes to hide their heads in the sand regarding our oft lack of response to emergency calls. Money is, of course, an issue but not an insurmountable one. All of our surrounding departments have paid personnel to ensure first call coverage 24/7 and get their funding from tax dollars just as we do.

Our residents deserve better service than we are providing and I am struggling to convince board members of the need for minimal paid personnel staff. Our mutual aid rate, in fighting between "clics" and various factions keep us stranded in never-neverland. Unable to make the proper decisions for the future of our corps. My one year as Chief (2004-2005) did nothing to improve the situation due to my being "quiet" during my that year as Chief. From there, due to unforseen circumstances, the corps decided to re-elect my predecesor (yes, the one that tampered with the ballots). It's a split corps and I hope things can get squared away sooner rather later when we might face being gobbled up by a combined corps as was the case in three neighboring departments awhile ago. Again, time will tell. I could and probably should write a book about it. (as a metter of fact, I am... whether I'll publish it, names and all is yet to be seen)

Well, today is September 18th. My wife passed away 14 years ago today. The pain of that loss will never go away. I miss her. I love her.

The title of this posting, Wish Us Luck, is in regard to my gambling. Today is the drawing for the "Blazing Bucks Bonanza" at a neighboring fire department... It's a fund raiser... Chances are sold at $100 each and the prizes are sizeable and odds are good to win "something"... so as I said, wish us luck...

See ya later...

UPDATE - IRAQ

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


I'll keep this particular post simple. 31 August 2005, While working, was IM'd by Dan in Iraq around 01:30 hrs... Whew... it's been almost 10 days since last contact...then quick phone call... from forward base... Unable to talk long but he's ok...moving to rear for 1-3 days from the sound of his cryptic message. But he's in one piece and worried about friends in New Orleans. They are worried about him too.. Keep praying for all out troops. G-d Bless America. (pray also for all those that lost their lives to Hurricane Katrina)
later.....

DAN Safe if not Sound......

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


IF YOU ARE VISITING FROM MARINEPARENTS.COM... WELCOME... PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS AT THE END OF EACH ENTRY. THANKS.... SEMPER FI!

IF YOU ARE READING MY BLOG FOR THE FIRST TIME, REALIZE THE FIRST ENTRY IS THE MOST RECENT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET MORE BACKGROUND, START AT THE BEGINNING, AUGUST 2004 IN THE ARCHIVES (links on right side)

My son Dan, my hero, a Marine fighting to defend freedom in Iraq for the second time is safe following the bomb attack on an AAV that killed so many Marines from the 3rd Bn, 25th Marines and Amtrackers from the 4th AA Bn (Dan's unit)

I finally got a call from Dan yesterday... I miss him... I love him and can only say I am glad he is safe and is able to call home periodically.

I am a wreck...I should not watch the news... I visit www.MarineParents.com too often and read of other familes feeling the same way. And yet others that have lost sons or daughters in this war. I want Dan to come home. We must all Support and Pray for ALL our troops.



We must always REMEMBER.... We must always be Thankful.... and we must always be Faithful...

SEMPER FIDELIS....

Larry

My Pretty Rachel...

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


IF YOU ARE READING MY BLOG FOR THE FIRST TIME, REALIZE THE FIRST ENTRY IS THE MOST RECENT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET MORE BACKGROUND, START AT THE BEGINNING, AUGUST 2004 IN THE ARCHIVES (links on right side)

My daughter Rachel went to a friends wedding this weekend... I got to take care of her puppy... lol ('don't worry Dad, I'll take care of him... you won't have to do it"...) lol...

She says she had a good time and she looked great... puppy looks good too... lol



(below) Rescue... is a mutt... but he's a cute mutt... and a learns quickly... he now (most of the time) does his "business" outside and knows how to bark when asked to talk as well as sit and give you his paw... ain't he cute??



more later....

Nationally Famous Cpl Dan, USMCR

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


IF YOU ARE READING MY BLOG FOR THE FIRST TIME, REALIZE THE FIRST ENTRY IS THE MOST RECENT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET MORE BACKGROUND, START AT THE BEGINNING, AUGUST 2004 IN THE ARCHIVES (links on right side)

Well??? That might be pushing it a bit... To me he's famous... Dan is an amtrac (amphibious assault vehicle) Crew Chief, and driver in Iraq with the U.S.Marines 4th AA Bn. His unit, from all I can gleem from conversations with Dan on the phone, and he cannot say much... is that his unit goes to a forward operating base for awhile, goes on patrols does their thing for awhile then goes back to the safer base for a rest before starting all over again.

Before Dan was injured, he participated in these patrols with the rest of his crew and platoon... Apparently, one day while on the road, a USMC photographer caught a picture of Dan in his trac... Well, lo and behold, that picture is on the July 2005 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. And Dan is there in the turret...

Dan obviously heard about his infamous photo from someone over there in Iraq and called me one day to let me know... I flipped... I was so excited I did not know what to say... I had to get my hands and eyes on that picture... It's amazing to me that with somewhere in the vicinity of 135,000 troops over there in Iraq, my son's photo is on a leading USMC magazine. WOW... Amazing is more like it... No credit as to his name, exact unit or anything... but it's Dan alright... I know it and he knows it and that's all that matters.... WOW... The picture of the cover of the July issue is below... (that's Dan on the left in the turret)



A VERY PROUD POPPA POINTS TO SON DAN...
EVEN HAD POSTERS MADE OF THE COVER.



I received calls from his unit's "key volunteers" (people who keep in touch with reservists families while they are deployed, and are wonderful people) Mary for one and Kim, (a Gunny Sgt's wife) both called me excited with of news of Dan's unit and Dan's photo on the cover of Leatherneck. The Marine Corps is really family oriented. I think that's terrific. I am just bursting with pride.

I'm hoping to hear from Dan again soon so that I can tell him about the calls and the well wishes from friends and relatives.

In the meantime, word has filtered down that several members of Dan's unit have been injured. Please PRAY for their speedy recovery and for ALL our troops safe and speedy return. Thanks.

More later... thanks for stopping by...

Lots of News From Dan in Iraq...

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well... it's been some time since my last submission here. Let's catch up...

My son Dan is a Corporal (USMCR) stationed in western Iraq with the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion.This is Dan's 2nd deployment to Iraq and hopefully, but probably not, his last. He was recalled to active duty in January 2005 and spent from 8 Jan 2005 (approx) to 13 March 2005 in additional training at Camp Lejeune, NC.

After arriving in Iraq and doing whatever his unit was doing, somewhere around the middle to the end of June 2005 Dan was injured while doing mechanical maintenance on his trac. Some sort of bolt (spring loaded?) went through his right hand and then ricochetted (sp) to his left jaw. Considering wounds suffered by some of his fellow Marines in Iraq, his were minor injuries... Not to ME and Dan (I don't think)...

Anyway... Dan took 15 stitches in his right hand and thank G-d has full feeling and motion (use) 6 stitches in the jaw (cheek)... His face has hence healed but the hand has been a problem, having broken open on first use after the stitches were removed. So it will probably take a little more time for his hand to heal fully. For Dan. the worst part about staying back (at base) is not being with his men. He's bored as hell and wants to get back with the guys asap.

Below is a picture of Dan, captured from a video Dan had made while enroute to Iraq.


Anyway... Dan is slowly healing and I am lucky he has the ability to call home periodically. It is a thrill for me to hear his voice... I send him packages of necessities and the extras he asks for... It's all I can do, keep him supplied and as happy with news from home. His Uncle David and Aunt Marilyn Moto Mail him often and David sends him videos (and other neat stuff...lol) to while away the hours.Knock wood... almost all the news is good here... More later... and especially some FANTASTIC news...

Dispatches from Iraq

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


My son Dan, Cpl, USMC-R, now in Iraq for his second tour... I get to hear from him periodically by phone...and e-mail once in awhile...Dan told us he was sending home a DVD he made with his new camera... Well when Dan comes home I think he should seek a job with Steven Spielberg...lol His video was great... background music and all... I can't wait to see his next DVD...

Anyway... more later...

10 Days, Two Scares !!

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well.... 10 days and it's already been one hellova month. Last Thursday I finally got a phone call from my son Dan... the US Marine, presently in Iraq (his second deployment). I was delighted... About 5 minutes into the call, I hear a loud explosion in the background...

Dan yells either into the phone or just in general... "I gotta go... I gotta go... I gotta go"... then the line went dead.

If I had heart problems... I think the big one would have hit me right then. I fell to pieces... for the next 10 minutes I just wept... I could not imagine what horror Dan could be suffering through. And then...The phone rang and again I heard Dan's welcome, angelic voice... "Hi Pops"... sheeesh... Turns out Dan was back at his "forward operating base" had a few minutes to call home, no line for the phone so he called. Also turns out no one passed the word that there would be a controlled detonation of confiscated weapons and so it took a lot of people by surprise, to say the least. So knock on wood... Dan's ok... but I have not been that afraid as a father in a long time.

A few days later and it's Mothers Day. Nothing Special going on in the morning, Jay was home (Rachel too) and we were just working around the house. Jay bought a Knabe upright piano and it was delivered that morning. Great piano. We're supposed to have dinner (possibly)with my friend Liz but that was not firmed up...She was away in New Jersey herself the day before...

So anyway, Jay's friend Liz (from Massachusetts and working in New Jersey, not to be confused with my Liz from Long Island...lol) was in Connecticut and was coming to visit for a few hours. So Rachel and I followed Jay to Port Jefferson. Rachel and I were to wait near a Nathan's Famous Restaurant (about 20 minutes) while Jay went on to the ferry to pick up his friend Liz coming in at 2:45PM.

So, Rachel and I are shopping (across from the restaurant) at a Family Dollar store, picking up odds'n'ends... little stuff... And (here's scare # 2) suddenly I feel a pain in my chest like I've never felt before. Normally if I feel chest pain, it's like "heartburn"... I take some TUMS and away it goes, But this... did not feel like a TUMS will get rid of it type pain. Now, I don't go to doctors or hospitals for myself in any type of rush basis... But feeling this pain...I felt this would be a good time to "get checked".

I told Rachel what I was feeling and she literally dropped what was in her hands and walked me out to her car. She put oxygen on me right away and we were off to Mather Memorial Hospital 5 minutes away. Mather has a unique "Chest Pain ER"...

We walked in and were immediately whisked into the "Chest Pain ER"... Within minutes they had my vitals, taken an electro cardiogram and a chest x-ray. Then came the blood tests. Now we wait for results. Well, the cardiogram looked good but the ER Doc said that does not mean nothing went on. My chest pain had subsided by the time I arrived at the ER... The chest x-ray also, no abnormal findings. So we wait for the blood test results. When they arrive, the attending reads them and tells me my cardio enzymes results were high...(norm is 90... my count was 102... Cardiologist says... no... not really high until 110... but ER Doc playing it safe) a possible indication of heart problems. Muscle damage etc. So he wants me admitted. A least overnight. This is because they want to repeat the blood tests and cardiograms a few times. So I agree. The other reason for the overnight stay is to have a stress test done immediately. If I went home, they'd have to schedule a stress test and that could take 10 days. So I stayed...

Long and short of it is, I pass the stress test, pass with the exception of not going as long as they wanted (my legs cramped up) and my pulse only reached 138, not the 146 they were looking for... But from all indications, the heart is strong. So go home.

And finally, 25 hours after I walked into the ER, I left the ER. But boy, that was a scare. Saw my own Doc few days later... he reviewed all the tests and says I'm good to go... whew... See ya later...

Been Awhile...

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well... being retired from being Chief has been good for me... The dust has settled and I am now sleeping regularly and getting alot of home work accomplished.

I am still responding on calls, but less often than before. Not picking and choosing but responding more on a time schedule suited to my needs. So points will still be up there.

Dan, my son in Iraq with USMC... has moved to another area... Don't know where but he'll let me know when he can. I send him Moto Mail and packages as often as I can. Buying stuff for him is my pleasure but is getting very expensive...lol

Anyway, he's out there preserving our freedoms so I guess the expense to keep him stocked on what he needs is a small price to pay.

I have cleared the entire driveway up to my shed in the back yard. Took a week of 2-3 hours work a day, but it's getting there... OK thats it for now.. will return again soon.

Accusations...Already

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well... we're not even 5 full days into the "new" administration and what... accusations fly...lol

It all started with a phone call from the "new" Chief. She wants the invitations to installation dinners I received while I was Chief. I said to her... I'll get back to you... That was two days ago...I never said anything about not giving them to her.

I worked on computer programing all day yesterday and had my corps phone off. When I turned it on... whew...it was burning up with an upset, more like frantic message for me. Seems the "new" Chief did some checking... protocol has it that the outgoing Chief should render unto the incoming Chief all invitations so she can go instead. I did some checking on my own and the departments holding the dinners would have no problem with my attending, after all, I did receive the invites while Chief, but... I'll give them to her.

I had already decided to give her the invites for I certainly would not want to upset the apple cart. (and she got all upset before I could even give her an answer, it's not as if I said no...I guess she just "assumed" I would give her a problem with it...) But, I jumped the gun myself as she was very amiable and suggested a compromise, she'll go to two and I'll go to two. So that part is settled.

But the blistering message I received, accused me of (1) smoking in the Chief's Car... totally false. Not once in the entire year I was Chief did I smoke in that car. Knowing who I was dealing with in this corps, I dared not smoke in the car. It seems that the car reeks of cigarette smell however, and that could only be from my clothes. It does permiate and stick to everything. So... if the car has a "stench" as she put it... that is why. Sorry bout that...

Then (2) I was accused of boasting... I love that word... boasting that I was able to drive in the HOV lane on the expressway with no one else in the car because it's an emergency vehicle. LOL big time. Now, I know who to whom I said this and now know who has the blabber mouth. Therefore, it was helpful to hear it got to her. Of course, like any good game of telephone, what was originally and actually said and what gets to the end person is never the same. Seems while traveling on the expressway one day and I usually take the HOV lane, (with someone else in the car, during restricted hours) I realized about six exits into the trip, this was a restricted time frame and I was alone in the car...LOL...Once I realized, hey Chief... you shouldn't be here and got out of that lane. Now, in passing conversation, I mentioned (to our balbber mouth member) how I had inadverently driven in the HOV lane and was probably lucky I was not stopped becuase I was alone and was in an emergency vehicle. I did not "boast" about it, I laughed about it because it was not a blatant disregard of the law, it was an accident of timing... nothing more... but let's accuse Larry anyway.

(3) And this is a good one. I drove to Laguardia Airport in the Chiefs car. Absolutely true. Of course no one mentioned I was picking up our Training Officer, who's original ride fell through, upon his return to New York from Chicago. If a department car cannot be used to aid fellow officers and members (outside of answering emergency calls, (of which I answered 580 of 1760)then what good is it?
Hell... previous administrations have taken First Responder cars to conventions upstate... why not to a local airport to pick up a member and an officer to boot.

Liz and I are going to a Broadway show in the city, instead of an installation dinner on the 23rd... Later...

Installation Dinner? or Farewell Party?

Saturday evening, April 2nd... an ambulance company from somewhere in Suffolk County held it's 2005 installation dinner somewhere in Suffolk County. With such a decidedly split organization, one found it difficult to discern, installation dinner or the outgoing chief's farewell party.

I had a blast. Giving out awards to those that earned them was a treat. Especially fullfilling were the "special" awards... We chose two probationary members of the year. One male and one female. I feel that this years recipients really deserved the title. In addition, the Chief's Award was given to a very hard working, dedicated individual who helped me throughout the year. He really helped me alot...pain in the butt sometimes...LOL but...he definitely deserved this award. Of course, no matter who gets what awards, some people will be unhappy... Oh well...


A Suffolk County Legislator presents the outgoing Chief with a proclamation. 

Invited dignitaries spoke briefly, extolling the outgoing Chief's (my)accomplishments...There were some cheers, some boo's (no couth) at various times through the night but overall... it went well.

One very special award was given out that night. As previously posted here... back in October, 2004, one of our ambulances was involved in a head on collission with an alleged drunk driver. (He hit our vehicle in our lane of travel) The EMT in charge, with an infant patient and the patients family in the back of the ambulance, with total disregard for her own injuries (2 broken ribs and sprained shoulder)


Shown here are the outgoing Chief, the high calls EMT/Driver (over 700), an outstanding hero EMT holding her award, and an Asst. Chief. 

evaluated and the evacuated the ambulance. She then settled everyone on the side of the road and went about rendering emergency aid to the alleged drunk driver. He was seriously injured and she remained with him until relieved by arriving EMS workers.

For this she was recognized before her peers and received a standing ovation. Everyone stood but a few...(we won't mention names here, as in this entire blog...) and that showed what ignorant people they really are. But we did not let that stop the great party from continuing on.


I got to dance with Rachel to "Butterfly Kisses" She looked great, didn't she? 

I got to dance with Liz,(oops there I go mentioning names...lol) and with my daughter Rachel...(to Butterfly Kisses) My brother David and sister-in-law Marilyn were there too. All in all we enjoyed my farewell party.


I surprised Liz with a bouquet of roses (a gift to her actually from the ambulance organization) 

I was going to make a long speech, about what I attempted to do during my first year as Chief... instead I simply congratulated the in-coming Chief saying, "Congratulations on being elected Chief, but remember, a year is a short period of time... I'll be back". Ooos and ahhs abounded...lol

Now I'll be able to get some personal things accomplished in my life. It'll be a great year. Later...

The End is Near.... Thank heavens....

The end of my term as Chief is here...Just One More Day. Thank Heavens.

Finding out that one was duped... in any forum is disheartening to say the least... But the realization that it happened in an organization of which I've been a member for 18 years, really stinks.

But for the few members that have some real intellegence, I can quite frankly live without at least 27 members of my corps. The fact that they (the 27) re-elected the past Chief, the one that tampered with ballots after last years elections, boggles the mind. (but then again... the country elected Tricky Dick twice... so.....)

None the less, the days have dwindled down and soon I'll turn over the responsibilities of being Chief to her. It's almost a relief for me. My entire first year was spent putting out fires... not real fires, but the petty squabbles, intentional sabotage and in-fighting that are the clearest indicators of a split corps.

It's funny how some people can join an organization like ours, one that is dedicated to saving lives, helping the sick and injured in their time of need, helping to bring new life into this world and keeping the grim reeper at his distance because of our skills, and then could even think of not responding, staying away from, emergency calls for help, because I was Chief. To make me look bad? To raise our mutual aid numbers, which in reality makes the entire corps look bad?? Unthinkable, really sad... but true...

I knew this was the case early on in my one year as Chief. But there was little I could do to change it. I tried to be the good guy... to always do the right thing, the ethical thing, whether it made people happy or not. The right thing. When one is attempting to pull 50-60 people together against a tide of 20-30 people pulling it apart at every turn, is very hard. And remember, it is difficult to remember the original task was to empty the swamp, when you are up to your ass in alligators...

Prime example of what these people would do, the under handed tricks... Example, how about a past female Chief (older one, not the one just re-elected) currently Chairperson of the Board of Directors, offered to help me out by calling membership to try and get more people to come out on calls and instead attempted to destroy me in the same breath... What was I to expect? The fact that she would even have the nerve, the balls, the unmitigated gaul to say to many other members, "Larry is a burnt out, crispy critter" This should not really be all that surprising. Smiles in your face and stabs you in the back... Luckily, I have learned to take a lot of what happens with a grain of salt.

So tonight at 11:59:59 I will take my leave as Chief of the ambulance company. April 1st will mark the reign of a returning April Fool... At least this year, that's not me.

For the next year, I'll go back to being a first responder EMT, and serve on a shift like any other member... I'll have time for doing some things for myself, for my family. Will I run again?? Maybe, just to keep them honest... Well....as honest as possible anyway. Remember.... "HE ONLY WANTED THE CAR"... later...

What was lost... comes home...

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.

OK this is gonna sound convaluted...(sp?) but it really is...You be the judge. My daughter Rachel answers several ambulance calls one day... During one, she places her cell phone on the bench seat in the ambulance. When another alarm comes in, instead of getting in the original ambulance (where her phone was left) but into another waiting rig. While going to the next alarm, she realizes she left her cell phone, (a Nextel i860) in the other rig. She contacts them on the radio and requests the other crew look for her phone.

The other crew reports no can find... no phone anywhere. Hmmmmm... So after all calls are complete, a further search of all rigs, the various scenes and the hospital emergency room (including garbage pails), no phone.

Rachel posts a note at the ambulance HQ. Lost phone... if found please contact. Now, Rachel had only gotten this phone a week or so earlier. Luckily, she purchased insurance on the phone and for $100 deductible... got a replacement phone.
Her sign at HQ yielded no phone...

Now, two weeks or so after her phone is "lost?" another member comes up to her and "accuses" her of "accusing him" of stealing her phone. Rachel says...."no way..." Then he proceeds to show her HIS new cell phone... a Nextel i860 that he says he got, coincidentally, 2 days after she "lost" hers. Hmmmmmm... and there is a scratch on the phone just like the one on her original i860. Hmmmmmm..,

But, Rachel is cool... She does not want to jump to conclusions... But it bothers her...and with good reason.

Waiting until the time is right... Rachel finally gets the chance to confront the member who might have her phone. Using a ruse... she is able to check the Motorola serial number inside the phone. Boink... her original phone is in her hands.

Quietly, in private she confronts this individual, (I'm there watching) who becomes quite agitated over the situation. He complains that he is being "accused" of stealing Rachels phone. Rachel says she has no beef with him, she just wants her cell phone back. The suspect says he bought the phone from a neighbor for $150.00. (this was a brand new phone, selling at the best discounter for about $400)...

After much debate... the phone is returned to Rachel. Matter closed. She has her phone back... no further actions needed... (or so she thought)

The individual who had and gave up Rachels cell phone, then speaks out... to about 25 other members of the corps... that he is being accused of stealing Rachels cell phone... that she had tricked him (which she did) into seeing his phone... (stealing it was nothing... the fact that he was tricked bothers him) OK... Now everyone is hearing the story... but it all makes Rachel look like the bad guy... She's the victim here... LOL ... What to do... what to do... I think a police report might be in order... then what? ... This is where the story ends for now... as we know not yet where it will lead. More later.

Post Election News

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well... the feeling of exhilaration is simply amazing. I never thought losing an election could feel so good. Now I'll get the proper amount of sleep, something I've missed over the past year being Chief.

With all the petty childishness that went on, I'm surprised we survived. Between having one member tell others I was a "burnt out, crispy critter" and others actually believing it...I gotta tell ya...I'm very surprised and disappointed. I would have thought a greater majority of members could have seen though the bullshit. But alas, I was wrong. Promises win elections... And I made no promises. So...we'll see how this coming year goes. While I would have preferred being Chief another year, and was more than willing to devote the time and energy to do the job, the rest will do me good.

In the meantime, our annual "installation dinner" (where we feast and "install" [swear in] new officers, is now a dual celebration. Since we're still a split corps, one half will be celebrating my farewell party while the other half... well... watch as the new officers get installed.

All this would not bother me at all if there was some logical reasoning behind what has happened. I would have never thought that members with many years in the corps, many years of helping people in their time of need would stoop to such lows. To not come out and answer calls (which means a call is given to neighboring department) because I was Chief certainly must tell ya something. Patient care is not their goal. I asked, many times, "you wanna make me look bad... fine I can live with that, but don't let it affect our patient care." But alas, again I was wrong and that's exactly what many members did...Sad isn't it? Just one look at the stats and one can see what I'm talking about. Some members did not even do half of the calls they did the year before. Shameful. They short changed themselves and more importantly... our public. The residents we're suppossedly here to help.

Well... Enough of that. Now I'll stand my weekly duty shift and answer as many other alarms as possible. Will I answer 580 this year as the one just past? Who knows, but I'll not be riding for the "new-old" chief, I'll be responding for the residents of my community, my patients, not the chief. Somehow I don't think members got that idea, that you don't ride for the Chief... you ride for the public. That's what it's all about...

And another thing... (reply to this post if you will...) Maybe I'm confused... If I was a burnt out, crispy critter would I be more or less interested in patient care? I would think if I was burnt out I wouldn't give a damn. What do you think?

Now I think tomorrow I'll paint the new shed door. That's just one "around the house" job I've put off too long.

Till the next post...

Dan Returns to Iraq (tour 2)

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well...Dan called March 9th and let me know he'd be free from duty on the afternoon of the 11th and not have to be back until 0'dark hundred on the 13th. On the 13th his battalion ships out. Dan was at Camp Lejeune, NC with the USMC training to return to Iraq.



So I called Dan's brother Jay, working at a ski resort in Vermont and told him, time to go... So he came home Thursday morning. Rachel called into work for Thursday night and Sunday night...I banged into my job and switched work days with two co-workers so I was off as well.

So off we went to be with Dan for a day and a half before he shipped out. Long drive, twelve hours plus, but more than worth it. Left in time to arrive at Lejeune just as Dan was getting off duty...About 8:30 AM. Found a hotel, checked in, got 2 hrs sleep and then on to the base.

Dan packing...at Camp Lejeune, Rachel,Dan and I watch.  

While I am really worried and concerned for my son's safety and well being, he seems to be hooked up with a great band of brothers in his company and platoon. We'd met most of them before and enjoyed meeting Dan's new friends and comrades in arms.

We shopped for last minute things Dan wanted and ate like kings. Twice at the Texas Roadhouse restuarant... great food. Good quality time that I hope Dan remembers fondly while away at war.

At the Texas Roadhouse.. (left to right) Jay, Cpl Dan and Rachel. 

Sunday morning came to quickly...and we had to say our goodbyes... The tears flowed and the hugs did not last long enough but finally we had to leave the base.

Jay, Rachel and I got home safe and sound in the wee hours of Monday morning. Jay left at 6 AM to return to Vermont. Rachel and I slept. Then I got a phone call from Dan at 7 AM (NY time). He called from Ireland... a stop over on the way to Iraq. He sounded good and was anxious to get there already. He said he'd call again when he could. I'm waiting patiently.

Trip was short but filled with great times and great memories. See ya...

To Elect or Not

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Well... it's time for me to get a new psychic...lol... With a snowfall and ice storm following, Tuesday evening elections were held and many of those that might have come out to vote, could not or would not. But a majority of our members wanted to still hold the elections, bad weather or not... and so they were held.

I can sleep at night because I do the right thing, the honorable thing... the moral thing...I am ashamed of what took place tonight at elections... but I am not a sore loser, I actually look forward to the rest I be able to get. I lost by 3 votes, just like 2 years ago... no biggy... But what bothers me most is that my opponent, a former chief, who admitted tampering with the ballot envelope after last years elections won and nobody cares that she did it. As a matter of fact there were charges brought against her for doing so, but they were dropped due to technicalities...So we have a repeat chief, that admitted her guilt in ballot tampering after an election. What does that tell ya about our membership?

In any case, I wished her good luck for the coming year... Shook her hand in front of membership. I had sent out a letter to membership, prior to the election... Lots a people commented as to how good and well written it was.... but obviously, not good enough for those stuck on wanting the "good" accomplished during the last year to be over shadowed by all the bad...

None the less, I'll get more rest this coming year.... instead of running on calls so often. (580 for the year 2004-2005)

OUT OF SYNC AND GOING TOOTHLESS...

IF YOU ARE NEW TO READING MY BLOG... PLEASE START AT THE BEGINNING... LOOK FOR ARCHIVES... GOTO AUGUST 2004 AND START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK UP. THANKS.

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


We're into February...Even I cannot keep up with my on line diary.. My blog...

My son, Dan is still at Camp Lejeune, NC with the USMC... Of course, the Marine Corps in it's infinite wisdom has Dan and his unit training for SASO and desert warfare in a wintry North Carolina with 20-30 degree temperatures... The CO writes in a newsletter, everyone is fine with the exception of some light colds... right... Dan says he thinks he's on the verge of pneumonia. But he'll live through it. If it snows in Iraq, he'll be ready for it. We'll hopefully get to see him around the 24th of February when he gets his last 96 hour pass before shipping over to Iraq for his second tour of duty. I can hardly wait to see him... I miss him so much.

Jay seems to be enjoying working at Okemo Mountain in Vermont... Time off a ship and onto the snowy slopes. He's working in the ski lodge rental and repair shop but in his time off he snow boards... Always nice to be able to play while you work...

Well... Newest news...I developed an infection on not one but 2 of my lower front teeth last week... WHAT a PAIN...for real... I wear a full upper denture for the past 2 1/2- 3 years... but the lower teeth have been going the way of the wind because I have been too dumb to go to the dentist (they scare the hell out of me)... and keep up with "dental care"... So I got a Doctor friend to write me a scrip for anti-biotics... (self treatment is great ... Isn't it?? NOT) and unfortunately... the infection was just too overwhelming so my pain scale went right off the meter... I can take a lot... and I mean a lot of mouth pain... but this got to the point of debilitating me for almost 5 days... So I decided to go to the dentist.

X-rays and exam and yep... These 3 and that 1 have to come out... Then we'll set you up with a lower bridge... have a full mouth of teeth again... Tada... That would be nice.

So Today (2/10/05) I had oral surgery... the pain following the extractions is NOTHING compared to what I felt before so I'm doin pretty well... Will have the stitches out next week... ok enough about my teeth...At least I can still talk straight...lol

I'm starved... But cannot eat yet... So here I sit typing... Got off work this morning at 7am and by 8:15 was on my first (and only today) ambulance call. An unconscious elderly female from our local nursing home. Seems no one else was around today besides myself and Rachel, we went to the scene to stabilize... and a neighboring department sent an ambulance and ALS provider. When the call was completed, I picked up Rachel at the hospital and we went on to the dentists office.

While at the dentist, our ambulance company has 4 more calls and other departments had to handle them because we had no one around... This is why we MUST get the board of directors to approve paid first responders during certain hours of the day when we just don't have enough people on duty. They (the board) are going to have to face it one day and it had better be soon.

On a lighter note, my brother David is now working for an Anderson Window distributor in Connecticut, he seems to like it... It seems like a hard sell though... but... knowing David... He'll sell it...

Let's see... OK... no big explanation... but the charges that were flying around the ambulance corps since December'04 have all been disposed of, finally. Elections for new officers are coming up in March with nominations in January and February. So we'll see how the elections go. I am running for Chief again... With the hope that in a second year, we can really institute some viable and meaningful change. We sure as heck need it. Hopefully a lot of the "old" will go out and some of the "new" will come in... Maybe then we can accomplish more. I say this because I have been stymied by the board of officer and the board of directors for the past 11 months. Hopefully membership will give me (and a new board of officers and some new directors) the chance to do some good. Time will tell, as it always does.

I'll take a break here... Maybe make some scrambled eggs... Should be easy to eat...

As Arnold Schwartzeneger said in a movie... "I'll be bach..."

Long Time No Post...

IF YOU ARE NEW TO READING MY BLOG... PLEASE START AT THE BEGINNING... LOOK FOR ARCHIVES... GOTO AUGUST 2004 AND START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK UP. THANKS.

DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.


Here it is, the middle of January in a new year, 2005. I have missed posting here for almost a month and a half... Lets see if we can catch up...

OK... Where to begin... We left off with Jay coming home mid December... He did, Dan was home again too. Dan, after Thanksgiving had returned to school (LSU, Baton Rouge,LA) to complete his present semester and make plans for leaving school, again, when deployed, again, to Iraq with his USMC-R unit.

Dan returned to NY around December 15th while Jay had came in around December 12th. While we were all together again for a short time in NY, Rachel and I took some time off work to have some fun as a "family" unit...

In the midst of this homecoming, I was ensnared in getting a refinance on my mortgage... My brother David (Enfield, CT) works part time for a mortgage broker and insisted he could get me a great deal, better than I was offered in NY by 3 other companies, so I went with his deal. David thought it such a good deal, he refinanced his home, with the same program, 2 days after I applied. My application was held up for some reason and he closed on his loan 2 days before my closing date.

My closing was a disaster. Jay and Dan went with meand at the closing, my attorney made it clear, (not my regular attorney, mine was tied up so he got an associate to help out) he was not in favor of this loan program. The attorney, Andy, a really good guy, was upset that I was never informed that this loan program, while offering a really good rate for an ARM, (adjustable rate mortgage) was what they call a "negative amortization" loan. (too difficult to explain here...) So what happened was (here's the disaster part) we decided to hold off and walked out of the closing without finalizing the loan. Anyway...Jay and Dan and I called around to the company offering the loan, (and others) and finally got the answers we needed to make an "informed decision". Took the loan 3 days later.

With cash in hand, it was too late for all of us to really do anything with really cool, like a trip or something... Dan had to report in to Gulfport (USMC-R) by January 3rd... We did get to make one quick run to see my brother and go to Moheghan Sun Casino (CT) afterwards... We had fun... Dropped a few hundred bucks and went on home.

Prior to this time, by about a week, my Brother David had to have a kidney removed. Had a large tumor (benign, thank G-d) on it and Doc's thought it best to remove it.


My brother David... "always in tune" rests in his hospital room after his surgery to remove a kidney. David goes no where without his music...lol  

He's healing though it's a slow process. We visited David again before sending Dan off to war for the second time.



OK... to now it's the beginning of January, Dan is in Gulfport MS, with his USMC-R unit, preparing to deploy, first to Camp LeJune, NC. For about 45 days... Then on to Iraq. Understand, that most USMC-R units are made up of local guys, civilians all month except for the 2 1/2 days of "drill" per month. So most have no problem having their families come to the unit to see them off when deploying. For us, it's a little different. We had to arrange round-trip air travel for the three of us, (Rachel Jay and me) plus a rental car in New Orleans for the trip to Gulfport, plus a hotel. Dan was to leave on the morning of January 9th, and we flew down on the 7th. We were able to be with Dan, on and off the evening of the 7th... Most of the Day on the 8th and were able to be with him, to see him off on the buses in the early morning hours of January 9th. The great time we had in the few hours we were with Dan will fill another whole blog entry. But, our Marine will not soon forget the family send off he got that January morning.

I have much more to add and write... But it will have to wait. Later...