DISCLAIMER: Please be warned that this message contains a greeting of warm wishes for you and your loved ones. Know that it is wished that you have a beautiful, happy, fun, safe day on December 25th. Be advised that there is no political message inferred, and no specific religious agenda attached.
Be aware that you may also receive such a greeting for New Year's, Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and any other days that are a day of celebration in my life. I am not telling you that you must celebrate my day, only that this is the day that makes me happy, and I hope you are happy too.
Were I of another belief, I might wish you a Happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Kwanzaa, or any other myriad of special days, and I would hope you'd be especially happy on that day. But I am not, and so, with no ulterior motive, if I may;
I wish you a Merry Christmas!
lj
<< Vote for the new mascot & sidekick! Tell us about your hero. Tell us what's on your mind. As long as it's positi
Photos like these, taken from the scene by another person going into the ring of fire, rivet us. 
How do we go about our daily rituals as the flames devour more of the California earth?
Landmarks, history, homes, pets, property, and now irreplaceable lives lost in this senselessness. No life is more precious than another, but I pray that we do not continue the news coverage after the last ember has died, with streets filled to honor fallen heroes. Some people are unavoidably in harms way ~ some volunteer to go in to harms way ... these are our Heroes.
This act has impacted not only California, but 
The 
We visited him, and his wife, Sue, a couple years ago on the national tour. They were amazing. The whole family was involved, their home was filled with their efforts. And you could tell it all came from the heart. 
We send them to deployed units with directions that they be put away until such time as morale has bottomed and they need a cheer up. At that time, they're pulled into formation and don their new "equipment". The smiles are instant, and the cameras capture them.
See, something as small as a pair of cardboard glasses can make a difference! Check out the pix, you can see the miles of smiles. Thank you to Red Robin Restaurants!!! Keep those glasses coming! 
YOU can make a difference, too! Make sure your local fire and police know about the HeroToHero.US effort ... and this includes Canada too, eh.
All shirts (hats, etc) must bear hometown department logos. Write your message of support on them, and send them to us at ...
How many do we need? All you have! We will ship them out at the annual 
Let 'em know about the effort, and to get on the adoption list.
We'll adopt your entire unit, not just you! Go to: 
I've always called it the Cookie Monster. It's one of my favorite vehicles. We're told there are others in Rhode Island, but after 4 years, I can't say we've ever seen them. Anyone else know of other blue rigs? Would love to know. We're trying to get it set up to have the 
It is always the eyes, truly the 
It is their dedication to this noble calling that drives them to do it right ... every time! It can be humbling ... as it most assuredly, should be. You watch one, or two, momentarily stumble. But they get right back up and tackle it all again, ... with a lot of support from all sides. No one quits, and there is no crying in firefighting! At least not at this level ... not yet. 
<<...And there are more women with every class! ... there will be that one moment, that one fire, that one response that will break through the facade of fearlessness. 
watching the next ones climb the ladder.
Never let them forget how much heart is needed for this calling, and be proud of the young heroes you are growing!
<<"
<< children of our Heroes doing it 
<< wounded warriors, & deployed troops paying it back, families of our Fallen Heroes showing serious BadAss, Honor Guard Pipers & Drummers ... civilian sponsors who truly give from the heart ... (Here it's one of our Hooter's lovelies) 
...Pipers & Drummers, and yes, that is the President of the IAFF, Harold Schaitberger in with all the others.
<< Smokey (center BadAss) also has the claim to fame of being the only 
Your shirts go to your troops in Afghanistan. Send to ...
Hey, BadAsses ... 
He had a huge smile, and an air of pride about him as he posed in his chair with his new legs inthe forefront. The pride hung in the air, buoyed by his family. The love for h
Her smile, and the twinkling in their eyes, spoke to the love in this union. His children were reluctant to step away from him as I needed another angle. This their father, and they are proud. Even his mom-in-law ... We laughed as she hugged him so tight it was almost a choke hold. I was surprised to hear this was not his birth mother.
Over to one side of the parade area a large gathering was happening. The 5-
The 5-20 wives raised the cup high in the air, jubilant in their efforts, as their soldiers clapped for them.
Over their hearts they wore photos of their Hero. They came to honor, they came to memorialize, and they came, hopefully to heal.
Holy Rosary Church was filled with love and uniforms for the service. It is a beautiful church that sits on one of the higher elevation of Tacoma. The interior is even more grand than might expect, while the outside goes through much of the same renovations that the overpasses and roads are experiencing. As such, it was a tad difficult to get photos without the telltale orange barrels and construction tape sneaking into frame.
The gathered mourners stood quietly together. And then, as if on cue, from a near distance, the sounds of another company responding, sirens wailing. It just seemed to be the right soundtrack to the moment.
I tried from the lit side to get a good shot, no luck. I went to the other side and once again today, a perfectly waving flag. 
Nice touch, Chief!
James Patrick Hannity: Jim passed away Sunday, September 30, 2007, with dignity after a long battle with cancer. Jim was born in Tacoma on April 24, 1950. He graduated from Lincoln High of Tacoma. Jim served his country for four years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. After his discharge from the service, he attended Bates Vocational for Fire Service Training, and was hired by the Tacoma Fire Department in 1974. Jim promoted through the ranks and retired a Battalion Chief with the department. He had 32 years of dedicated service with the department before he had to retire because of his illness. Though Jim was dedicated to the Fire Department his passion was the people he worked with. Jim always spoke of how proud he was of his "Guys". Preceding Jim in death are his parents Thomas V. Hannity, mother Dorothy E. Hannity, sister, Donna M. Hannity and nephew, Thomas K. Hannity. Jim is survived by his brothers Vincent (Janet) Hannity, David (Donna) Hannity and sister, Kerry (Jon) Guite, nieces, Corrie, Catherine, and Margaret Mary and nephew David. A special thanks to Jim's closest friends, Kirsten Alexander, Mike Curley, Jim & Kim May, Tom Zurfluh, Jeff Hook, Jim Scott and Steve Elmer, and the Tacoma Fire Department for their compassion, and concern for our brother. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Jim's name to the Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard and the Department Chaplain Wilbey Casey. Service will be held on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by a graveside service which will be held at Mountain View Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Fire Fighters Hall on 50th and K to honor Jim's life. (From The [Tacoma] News Tribune, Thursday, 4 October, 2007.)
Donna Marie Hannity 1/22/1952 - 9/15/2007 On September 15, 2007, Donna passed away with grace and dignity, following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Tacoma, WA, Donna graduated from St. Leo High School in Tacoma. She spent the last 15 years living in Newberg, OR, where she found much happiness. Donna's smile, laughter and quick wit drew people to her. Wherever she went, she made new friends and kept them for a lifetime. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Dorothy Hannity and her nephew Thomas Kimball Hannity. She will be cherished always by her brothers Vincent E. (Janet) Hannity, David (Donna) Hannity, James Hannity, and her sister Kerry (Jon) Guite, loved by her nieces Margaret Mary, Corrie Ann, and Catherine, and her nephew David Jr., missed by her best friend Shirley Benoit and her mentor and friend Heather Lawn, and forever inspire the little soul that gave Donna unconditional love, Deondra Oldham. The family would like to thank St. Vincent Hospital Hospice of Oregon for their wonderful help and support during our sister's last few months. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, October 5, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 2:00 in Tacoma. The [Tacoma] News Tribune, Sunday, 30 September, 2007. 
They were all great, and our new friend, Mary, sounds like she will take this one up for us there at the department.
"Time of Remembrance" site. 
After Jonathan spoke, a gentleman unexpectedly came to the podium to tell how Mr Reagan had done his loved one's portrait. He told that it had been done so beautifully, and that it was actually able to be there at the memorial. Heads nodded in the audience, and his voice wavered with emotion as he told what it meant to their family. Portaits can be requested by the spouse, or parent of the fallen troop. They are done on a first come, first served basis. To learn more: 