Turn about is fair play!

Okay, we always hear about how the various cheerleader teams are heading out to the desert to pick up the troops morale.

Well, turn about is fair play, right?  So for all of you keeping the home fires burning at Fort Lewis and McChord AFB, it's your turn for some morale boosting!

Friday, December 2nd, come out to the McChord Base Exchange from 11-1, or the Fort Lewis PX from 2-4 and support some of the firefighters who have been supporting our troops ... and yours!

Purchase a calendar to help the WSCFF Burn Foundation, there will be calendar firefighters on hand to sign the calendars.  They make great gifts!

You do a good thing and have something to show for it!

http://firefightercalendar.com/

The 2005 All-Star calendar is still available on their site or over the phone by calling 1-800-847-6572.

Please take the time to view the pictures from the calendars and get to know the Fire Fighters by reading their bios.

Also, this is where you can find information about:

• Where you may find some of the Fire Fighters to sign your Calendar
  
• Most importantly, remember the reason for this all is to fund Burn Research to improve the lives of victims that have been burned.

See you Friday!!!

PS ... Recognize one of our favorite firefighters in the photos?

**~*~**

Dec 2 ... The BX/PX calendar signing event started out slow, but to be very fair ... we were in the middle of our "Blast of Winter".  None of us were thinking we would have snow and ice, and that the roads would be as difficult as they were in some areas locally.

We had fun with the folks who braved the elements for the McChord portion of the event.  By early afternoon, the weather had warmed slightly, and the signings were more rushed as people came up to say thanks, shake hands, and buy calendars to help support a great cause.

When you watch the calendar reps you saw dedication.  Some of these folks might be coming from a very involved shift at their departments, but still they realize the importance of the cause and give a lot of their time.  Another reason so many look to firefighters as Heroes.

Bringing them to the bases, was perfect.  It was a good feeling watching the uniformed personnel meet and greet.  There is an obvious respect between the two groups.

That was brought out at the following event, at the KISS 106.1 Jingle Bell Bash, at the Tacoma Dome on December 4th.

As the Backstreet Boys crooned, cameras flashed, and the Pussycat Dolls did what they do best to get the crowd stirred up even more, there were a few special moments on the side opposite the stage. 

 Over at the signing tables, two little girls, identical twins approached with their young mother. 

I recognized them from other occasions, and knew that this was a Fallen Hero family.  Their Fort Lewis soldier was killed in Iraq this past April.  Some time back, we had shown each other our black bracelets, and discovered that our families had suffered a loss on the same day, a year apart. 

We have bumped into each other rather frequently.  So when I saw her in line, I wanted to make sure the firefighters knew that they were talking to a family that had gone through a lot.

I cannot tell you how much they responded.  It was completely genuine.  They looked at those little faces, and went from the men and women signing the calendars, to the firgefighters ... those Heroes we all think of when we hear the sirens.  This was exactly the kind of compassion you want to know exists in the hearts of our firefighters.

The girls were hugged, and held, and made to feel very special!  I can tell you personally that throughout the event, these were the only people to have all of the firefighters pose for a photo with them!

When you see these men and women out signing calendars, think about how much extra they are giving from their personal time to give to what they believe in.  Yeah, they are really nice to look at, but when you get to see their hearts, they will melt you!

Thanks for making me remember why our troops look to you all as Heroes! 

Kudos to the WSCFFA Firefighter Calendar men and women!!!

lj