May 16, 08 -- There has been so much that happened all at once ... To include a needed switch of computers that took me from a typical PC user, to a Mac. Now, I've never really heard a lot of Yiddish, but I tend to think that learning to make the change from PC to Mac must be a bit like learning to speak Yiddish in just one week.
As you watch the dates proceed here and look at all of the photos, you might understand the delay in these postings. Did I mention that due to a corrupted video card my beautiful new Mac Book Pro had to go to the computer hospital? Twice. More on that as we go along here.
But what you are looking at are photos of the 2008 Tacoma Fire Recruits Graduation. (A personal congratulations to young Bret Stohr! We are all so proud of you!)
Everyone looked great and Mother Nature gave her blessings with a beautiful day, just perfect to hatch this new brood onto the streets of Tacoma. Families smiled proudly, and sweethearts gave happy hugs and kisses after the graduation ceremony.
There was a perfect energy in the air as all of these new firefighters began the next phase of their probationary period. Smiles filled the room, and though they were all reminded that this is but one solid, large step in their careers, it is just the lay of the foundation and there is a lot to be built from here.
It is pride that shines in all of them, and it reminds us of what every firefighter felt at this very moment in their own lives. (Troops feel it, police feel it. It is common to anything of great personal value.)
As the HeroToHero.US Troop Morale Campaign has grown over the past 5 years we've met many firefighters. It's always the ones who have never truly let go of what drew him/her to the flame in the first place who remain in our hearts and memories always. They stand out in a good way. There is this spark, a flame.
They are the ones who bend down to speak to a child who looks up at them in awe ... It is the one who "gets it" and might chuckle, but never laughs aloud at the guys really digging it when the rig is rocking and rolling with lights and sirens going. It's the one who might bluster initially when asked to do a silly photo, until he hears that the photo is to make a hometown troop smile when she sees it out there in the desert. It's the one who understands the camaraderie, the esprit des corps between, firefighter, law enforcement, ems, and our troops. It's the one who will tell you with humility and pride that they are not heroes ... just doing their jobs. It's the one who feels it a little more personally when it's learned that the woman you just saved is playing single mom while her hubby is in the middle of a fifteen month deployment. It is the one who will not only pledge, but deliver the very shirt off their back for our troops in harms way.
I saw this flame aglow in the eyes of more than one new Tacoma firefighter at this graduation. Never put this one out. You are our pride~
Enjoy the pix
lj
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Local 31's Spaghetti Feed for Matt
POST IN PROGRESS ...
May 10, 08 -- Car washes, and lots of good wishes and prayers led up to the Spaghetti Feed for Matt Simmons.
It was appropriately held at Local 31's Union Hall, in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma Firefighter Ed Gorre, and a merry band of volunteers cleared their calendars to make it the great event that it was.
Donated prizes and baskets lined one wall, ready to be snatched up in the auctions and raffles. Prizes ranged from small items like t-shirts, all the way up to a living room furniture set, a very special 
Lots of good food, and a plethora of uniformed firefighters 
As a topping to the entire event, it was announced that our governor, Christine Gregoire had contacted the Simmons family to let them know that the state will be picking up Matt's medical tab, afterall. Niiiiiiiice! Hopefully the funds raised will help save all the family has lostas they've gone through this.
Matt, we wish you the best. Pretty cool to actually experience being surrounded by Heroes and Angels, eh?
lj
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