Okay, so there I am .... sleeping. Meanwhile, my phone is taking call after call from people wanting to know how we did it. Did what? I'm asleep!
Some of those calling are almost giddy. Hmmmm. Guess I am getting up now. I make a cup of coffee and listen to my voicemail. WHAT?!?!?!?
Barack Obama has mentioned us in a speech. Huh? Total confusion. K, now there's more, the speech is part of the IAFF, and has to do with the run for the Oval Office.
Ok, you have my attention. So it's internet time. Wow. I can actually watch the speech, except my computer is not cooperating ... it's still asleep I guess.
Finally I get the video to play. Ok, so he's very pleasant, seems very likable, and he's telling us how he sees things. Got it. But it's all politics, and we don't do politics. I am still not sure how he will mention us, but he has a strong Hero theme working ... which usually draws my attention.
Then about 8 minutes into his speech I am shocked. He says ...
"When you are saving lives here and saving lives on the streets of Baghdad in a war that never should have been authorized, your actions teach us how to be better citizens. You run marathons and raise money for our veterans. You help train army transportation units to care for the wounded. And you have donated thousands of t-shirts to our soldiers fighting overseas with the Hero-to-Hero program.
You sign the shirts with messages of hope and support for your friends in Iraq and Afghanistan. Your Brothers and Sisters from all across the country are working with police officers and you have sent more than 10,000 shirts to our soldiers. I’m not a firefighter, and I am certainly not a hero. But I have one more for you: a signed shirt from me. It reads, “Thank you. Be safe. You’re coming home soon.” "
OMIGAWD! Am I still asleep?!?! I can't quit laughing,and tearing up that someone at this level even knows about us.
The phone and emails continue through the day and evening. No, i have never met him ... No, we have not gone political ... No, we are not endorsing a candidate, or party ... Yes, it is very cool! ... And no, we have not received the shirt. (But he knows about us, hopefully he knows how to get the shirt to us too! lol And IF we get it, I will post a photo of it here with this message.)
For the record, you can watch the entire speech, as well as those of all the other candidates, courtesy of the IAFF, at http://www.iaff.org/2007LegCon/forum.htm
We are still not political. We are not "pro" one side or the other ... We are pro troops. So if any other candidates want to show their "pro" troop support, feel free to mention us by name.
And Senator Obama, I would love a photo with that shirt! Btw, you say you are no Hero, but today you are a Hero to this troop morale campaign, and we thank you!
Still giddy
( ;
lj
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