Welcome to Hero To Hero '06

Hero To Hero '06 has officially begun!

(Sept 11,2005) We stood side by side with some of our local Heroes from the Tacoma Fire Department for their "9-11 Remembrance" ... and some from outlying departments.  Tacoma Police Department was missing in action due to a conflict in scheduling ... there was a big race downtown, and they were needed there.  But they came by beforehand, and they were with us in spirit, as always!

The event began quietly, with TFD Honor Guard Cmdr, Karen Leming, welcoming us and the pipers piping in the background.  We may have been there to kick off '06, but first we needed to pause and reflect.  September 11th was honored with the dignity it requires, as was evident by looking out in to the audience, Tacoma FD was everywhere, and it was very touching to see their salutes, and bowed heads throughout the ceremony.  We are proud to have again been part of this remembrance.

We were also joined by Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, and TFD Interim Fire Chief Ron Stephens, both of whom spoke eloquently.  TFD Chaplain Wilby Casey said the invocation, and lent his wonderful presence to make the day even more special.

The Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipers were awesome, as always!  Don't think there was a dry eye when the pipers played "Amazing Grace," and the Honor Guard brought the moment home when the flag (already lowered from Hurricane Katrina) was raised, then slowly lowered once more.

Many of the units we adopted for H2H '05 are still deployed, and happily nearing their return date.  As such they were unable to attend, but their loved ones were with us.  Family members of the 42nd MP BDE, 25th BSB, 73rd Engineers (if I missed any, please advise) were spotted throughout the event.  We look forward to welcoming these Heroes home, and having them standing with us next year!

Troops were represented by the Navy's JTF 6.5, who will be deploying very soon.  This was the first time we had Naval personnel with us, and we are honored.

Also representing, from Fort Lewis ... the 555th, & 44th CSB ... all of these units are on our adoption list for H2H '06.

There were some moments that will stay with us for some time ...

We were caught off guard by a lone soldier from Fort Lewis, a "Patriot" with the 2/3 Inf Stryker BDE who was part of the initial shipment of shirts.  After I had spoken and was leaving the podium, he approached bearing a Stryker t-shirt, and a photo of his unit in the desert flying a Tacoma FD t-shirt from their vehicle. (This is one of my favorite photos!)  He wanted to present the shirt to a member of TFD, so we called Chf Ron Stephens forward.  This is what it's about, touching a troops' heart, so far from home.  The 2/3 paid their respects earlier this year, after their return when they accompanied us to Auburn FD and presented unit coins to the firefighters there.  We love our Strykers!

There were a number of very touching moments ... Larry Kaibetoney, of the 25th BSB, who is still recovering from injuries incurred in the Mosul Dining Hall suicide bombing, gave the shirt off his back to TFD Chaplain Casey.  Larry continues to amaze us with his recovery and incredible positive outlook.  He currently works at the Fort Lewis Museum, stop by and shake his hand!

The moment that got me most was when we surprised Karen Leming.  She is always so in control, a firefighter, TFD HG Commander, Mom to 4 sons, and driving force for H2H ... who'd think she would get another title?  Recently Karen called to tell me that her son Aaron was deploying, so it was only right to give her a Blue Star flag to honor him.  She held it together for the bouquet of flowers we gave her, but the flag touched that spot in her heart reserved for her boys.  When she cried, I saw Aaron in her eyes ... and he radiated the pride and love he has for her.  We love you Karen.  Aaron's unit is the first to be adopted for H2H '06!

And it just got better ... Fife Destination Harley senta small contingent of riders to help us kick off this year's program, and show their support of our troops.  Gene made sure that we had shirts from Destination again this year ... and the troops loved them! 

Not only did they send riders, and more shirts ... they sent a wonderful photographer who captured some great moments.  These are their photos (and this guy can take pix at our events any time he wants!)  Enjoy the pix ... their photos begin at #112.

Thank you again to Gene, Kevin, and all of our friends from Fife Destination Harley!  You all rock!

Global Bikers Films had planned on filming our event, but due to a fatality accident on I-5, they were unable to get to us til very near the end.  Packages sent this year will include DVD's generously donated to us by GBF of the "Run for the Wall" ... a wonderful job!  We look forward to working with them at the pack out!

KrispyKreme's (Tacoma & South Hill) made sure we had a yummy start to our day, and Mountain Mist quenched our thirsts ... we really appreciate their continued support, and look forward to more shared experiences in the future.

Speaking of adoptions, they opened at midnight on September 11th ... within 12 hours we had requests for over 2,000 shirts.  By midnight the number had risen to over 3,000!!!

This year will be busy, we need everyone's help!  Please contact your local fire and police (all first responders)! and let them know that they can show their support for our deployed troops in a real way by actually giving them the shirts off their backs.

As always, we follow our three basic tenets ... no politics, no pro/antiwar stances ... strictly morale for our troops.

And so it begins!  The shirt drive has begun, you have all the way to Valentine's Day to get those shirts to us.  The shirts ship at the end of February.

Remember, we make it possible, you make it happen!  PLEASE, look in your closets, and drawers for shirts you can share ... this is a great way to recycle shirts you are not wearing.

Our troops are waiting, don't let them down!

**The photos were taken at today's ceremony ... they were in order, until I transferred them into the journal, and I am just waaaaay too tired to rearrange them.  Enjoy!

lj

PS... If you attended the event and have photos, we would love to have copies of them.  You can send them to H2HHeroes@aol.com

Photos are coming in ... they are added to the end of the collection and you can reverse your way in to see them.  Keep 'em coming!