Well, we did it.
Two hundred and twenty-eight Canadian (and American) First Responder shirts are on their way to our Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan.
We want to thank you for allowing us Canucks to participate in your incredible program.
We've come a long way since I first caught you taking pictures of my backside at the I.A.F.F. Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs in September of 2005. (You're not nearly as crazy as i thought you were, going around taking pictures of peoples t-shirts).
When I returned home from The Springs it just happened that I was stationed with one of our newer Sarnia Fire Rescue recruits, Jason Bosker.
Jason had come to the fire service after serving 15 years combined part time and full time service in the Canadian military.
Jason had served three tours of duty overseas in Bosnia and Yugoslavia. I ran the concept of Hero to Hero by him and his enthusiastic reaction to the idea was the beginning of our involvement.
Enthusiasm has been the driving force in our shirt drive. All of our partners here in Sarnia Lambton have been totally supportive.
I'd like to thank them all....
Fire Chief Pat Cayen & members of the Sarnia Fire Rescue Service.
Les Jones & the members of the Sarnia Police Service.
Laurie Alderton, Janet Twining and all the personnel of the Canadian Coast Guard, Central & Artic Regional Headquarters, Sarnia (these are the folks keeping an eye on those U.S. subs that like to loiter around our northern waters, LOL ).
Kelly Swain & the Ontario Provincial Police Officers from the Lambton County detachments and especially the Point Edward detachment.
John Surins & the Paramedics of Lambton EMS.
Carol Whitson & Canada Customs personnel at the Bluewater Bridge, Point Edward.
Ron Sparling, staff, and students of the Fire Science program at Lambton College Industrial Fire School.
Tim Park and the members of the 1st. Hussars, Sarnia
Special thanks to Lieutenant James Terpstra, Recruiting Officer, Canadian Armed Forces, 1st. Hussars as well as Sheila Lupson & Beverly Robbins of the London Military Family Resource Centre.
These folks are ensuring the safe delivery of our t-shirts to our troops (at no cost I might add).
I'd also like to mention some folks who made your National Tour stop in Sarnia, and our packout a memorable event...
Cousin Kenny's Smoked Meats for and Ole Country Diner feeding the masses and helping raise funds for H2H,
Sarnia's Deputy Police Chief Phil Nelson & Officer Shawn "Ozzie" Osborne (yes, he's the one who shot the bear). Thank goodness there were 2 firefighters in the room to administer CPR...the outcome could have been tragic.
RCMP Officer Bob Hillier
The Rotary Club, Lambton College Fire School, Sarnia Professional Firefighters Association, St. Clair Dry Cleaners, Capes Moving & Storage, Tim Hortons, Arena staff, and St. Pat's High School.
Our friends in the media....Sarnia Observer, Sarnia Sun, Sarnia This Week, Blackburn Radio, Rick Smith of CKCO TV and lastly Tom Marshall, Public Relations Officer with Sarnia Fire Rescue Service who pulls it all together.
This past year being our first with H2H, we collected the majority of our shirts locally.
This next year however we are aiming Provincially and Nationally so that troops from all across Canada get a chance at a shirt from their hometown.
Our goal for this year is 2000 shirts.
If anyone missed Liz's inaugural visit to Canada last year you can check out the photo's in the Journal at: http://journals.aol.com/h2hheroes/herotohero/entries/2006/06/12/sarnia-ontario-...-our-first-canadian-partners/1994
That reminds me.. hmmmm...Liz, shouldn't you be getting your bags packed...it's almost time to hitthe road again...SEE YA'LLSOON.
Kevin McHarg
on behalf of Sarnia-Lambton's First Responders
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K, first off ... OUTSTANDING! You do us proud!
But I do need to clarify that I was NOT taking pix of your backside, you cheeky monkey! AND, I was careful not to use the word "Canuck" ... basically, cuz I figured I'd get in trouble for it!
And for the record, we LOVE our Canadian friends. This is a favorite stop for us, they really know how to make you feel welcome ... AND Kevin arranged for us both to sleep with a Mountie while we were there. Haha, Kevin ... YOU explain that one!
(And in case there is a Mrs H, it was not RCMP Officer Hillier ... Boy, that could start some rumors. lol)
See y'all soon, eh?
lj
******
On a more somber and serious note, we bow our heads for the loss of six fine Canadian Troops serving alongside our own, including ...
Corporal Brent Poland, 37, from Sarnia, Ontario
Bless them and their loved ones.
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