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...
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