Island hop ... Part Deux

As promised, here is a peek at the last three stops on the Island Hop.  

Everett ~ Mount Vernon & Lummi Island.

Two of these three were return visits.  And again, more familiar faces ... always a welcome sight!

We hoped to see one of our favorites in Everett, sadly Joe was not available.  Sigh.  But, then Jolie showed up to represent for Mukilteo, and the Paterniti family.  We have met several married firefighter couples along the way, and never met one we didn't like.  No exception here!

Jolie had called when she saw the planned route.  She let us know that Mukilteo Fire wanted to represent & show their support for the troops.  And that they did! 

Everett & Mukilteo Firefighters and EMS personnel covered  the tables with shirts and signed them all.  Tough to get them all in a room at the same time with all the calls that were going on for all of the departments on Saturday.  But we managed to have a really good visit, share some photos, stories, and more.

Next up was a return to Mount Vernon.  Another familiar face! 

We all love their antique engine, and had fun with Kimberly and Dominique ... though they weren't completely comfortable  as they realized this was an antique.  Think they were scared to move!  lol

Just like Everett, another department came by ... Mount Erie.  Few things are as heartwarming for us, than departments making the above & beyond effort of coming to another house to show their support of our troops. 

It is happening more and more, and if we could get it to happen a lot more, our combined efforts could really help the mission of troop morale.  Just think about it ... and maybe get hold of some of your brothers and sisters, and tell them we NEED them all this year.  5,000!!!  Sheesh!

One of the departments that is stepping up this year ... a newbie for us ... is Lummi Island.  What a cool place!  You take a small ferry over, just outside of Bellingham.  The ferry holds about 20 cars, and some walk ons.  The island is green and lush ... and has been both times I visited.  But it is the people that draw me back.  They are just down to earth, and warm, and greeted us in as if we were old friends.  ... And we are now!

It sounds like they will be making every effort to join us for the Pack-Out ... The party is getting bigger!

By the time we got to the Island, we were starting to drag.  Most folks know I am just not a cheery crack of dawn kinda gal.  But even our morning people in the group were hungry and tired.   Chani & Leta absolutely lost their minds when they saw the Chuckanut signs on I-5.  They were so slap happy by this time, that all you had to do to get them going was to walk by and drop a Chuckanut on 'em!  It was actaully either reallllly funny, or we were all realllllllllllly tired.

Fortunately there was a wonderful shared meal brought in by the families attending the holiday party there at the firehouse.   We were a bit more refreshed and energized after dinner.  some wonderful recipes!

We weren't able to stay near as long as we'd have liked.  But the dinner, the presentation, and everything before and after was just as we hoped.

We had one of those great small world moments when  one of their people recognized Larry.  Turns out he was part of the medical team that treated and cared for Larry when he was med-evac'd to Madigan Army Hospital after the bombing he endured.  Larry was a little fuzzy about those first few days, but Chani sure made the connection ... more Heroes and Angels.

Larry got to spend a little time sharing his experiences, with the medics at the different departments.  Listening to him, and watching the firefighters respond was really heartwarming.  They all share something most of us watching from the outside, can only imagine.  They are all the more special to us when we hear them share their stories.

Thank you all for making our one and only Stomp of the season, a complete success.  And a special thanks to Terry & Jolie ... aprreciate your hard work on behalf of heroToHero.us!

Now mark &d clear the date for the Pack-Out ... starts before noon on February 25th, 2006.  To volunteer, or RSVP, please contact us at HeroShirts@aol.com

First Responders who are not able to make it ... we need your contributions by Valentine's Day, February 14, 2006. 

FIVE THOUSAND TROOPS ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SHOW OF SUPPORT!