5-24-08 -- Washington Dc & Fairfax County, Virginia ... Two of our all time favorite stops!
Joel Kobersteen worked long and hard to make this one happen. I have heard wonderful things about his dedication to the HeroToHero.US Troop Morale Campaign from sources, to include our Pentagon contacts. I had pretty much canceled this one from my calendar. I wasn't sure I would have enough leg time for this and Canada. Canada had been in the works for a very long time, so they had priority if a choice had to be made. And this was nt a choice I wanted to have to make!
But no worries, they made sure there was a scooter there that let me run along with the best of them. Thanks guys!
The weather was better than perfect, which was amazing, considering they had been in a rainy phase there for a while. So any time we Washingtonians get credit for bringing sunshine to our nation's capital, it is a good sign of things to come.
There were firefighters and police rigs setting up. I remember seeing Arlington, Fairfax, Prince George's County, and Washington DC at the event, and then it all became a blur of smiles and hugs.
Tables started appearing, and even better, before long you couldn't see the tabletops for the shirts on them. Fairfax had pledged up for 100 shirts, but here were over 350 of them, all signed up and beautiful. Some of them even had cool designs showing their support for our troops so far from home. (Let me know how to order one of those!)
Media came in, and Fox5 did a great job for us. I didn't get to see the other news stories so I can't write about them. TOP radio did a great job and we actually have the links or that one
People ask where we find the most support, and I have to say that over the years the most consistent support has come from the east coast, those more personally impacted by the events of September 11th, 2001. They seem to have a better memory, not to put down any other part of the country ... Because we get support from every where.
Being here for Memorial Day, as bikes were arriving from all across the nation to honor and remember our Vietnam Veterans made this stop all the more heartwarming. There were many events going on, and the mere fact that our heroes at the Pentagon, and all of our firstresponders involved, would make the extra time to come out for us was a high like you can't imagine.
By the time this event was over I wasn't tired, I felt rejuvenated and just wanted to be able to run up and hug every person involved.
Check out the photos to get a small taste of the great time we had in the DC-Metro area.
You might notice a beautiful sword in the hands of Deputy Chief of Pentagon Police, Woody Kusse. This was the culmination of the efforts of Tillamook paramedic Mark Torrence, and his father, Vietnam Veteran Captain (retired) Daniel Brophy.
Mark contacted his father when we said we wanted to present a sword to the Pentagon Police Force. He knew that his father would be honored to provide his own personal USMC NCO saber.
Captain Brophy received his rank after a field promotion in Vietnam. He came home when there were no troop morale campaigns, no welcomes, and no "thank you's". Thankfully, we have tried to learn from our past, and are doing all we can to make sure that no troop ever feels what these men and women endured. We also try our best to let our veterans know that we do honor and respect them, and though it is much belated, we do thank them and welcome them home.
The Brophy saber was presented to a very shocked and awed Woody Kusse, and he held it tight as most all in attendance came up to check it out.
With the saber was a handwritten letter and a photo of Daniel Brophy. This was the perfect presentation, and we look forward to seeing it on future visits. A huge salute to both Daniel Brophy and his son, Mark Torrence ... Two heroes in our book~
IAFF Local 2068 President John Niemiec was there to represent, and as always he makes us feel very welcome. We had a special thank you for Local 2068, who have been supremely supportive of this mission for our troops. They are always the leaders, demonstrating with class and heart, how to show hometown support for our troops.
It was, as stated earlier, very short notice. But our own local hero, Fort Lewis firefighter Jerry Flatterich stepped up and did a specialty helmet for us. He did some quick shifting to make this all possible, and we want to thank him. when last we saw the helmet, the firefighters were discussing ordering a special shield to ad to it. Can't wait to see what they come up with, as these guys are all class acts. Jerry does some great work, especially when you give him enough time ... unlike the three day notice we gave him. His site is under construction, but check him out at www.TazManDesigns.com
We wanted to make a special announcement, and felt that this press event at the Pentagon was the best place to do so. Joel Kobersteen has been the driving force out there for us. He has made things happen that have brought us such immense joy, that although he has us cover more visits in a day than any other stop, it is all so much fun. Of course we give him grief the whole time, but he takes it, dishes it back and has become a part of us.
For this reason, during the event we surprised him with an invitation to be our fourth Ambassador for HeroToHero.US ... And he accepted, although we would have drafted him anyway!
Thanks you Joel, you have held the door wide and brought into our lives some really wonderful people. We met Raul Castillo from the Hispanic Firefighters (who sent us a disc of his photos that I will be accessing and including select shots -- Thank you, Raul!)
He brought in Fairfax Police Department's Master Police Officer Brad Carruthers -- What a great guy! Both Brads found common ground and are now fast friends, hmmm ... Be afraid, be very afraid! lol
Joel, thank you, and welcome Ambassador Kobersteen! We expect big things from you ... look at the trail you have already blazed!
A special thank you to Rick & Dee of Bancheros in Kent, Washington for the fine job on Joel's award. Another short-notice great job!
There are a lot more photos coming ... This one may take several posts for you to get all that happened on this outstanding visit. Stay tuned!
lj
**Thank you Joel, for providing the following list so that we can properly thank everyone involved in our visit ...You all rock!
Thank you so much to everyone involved in the list below, you made this such a special day and wonderful memory. Just when I thought that no one cared anymore, and the program would fade, you stepped up. Words cannot express how you have filled my spirit, and what you have done for the HeroToHero.US Troop Morale Campaign.
~Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department and Local 2068 * +
~City of Fairfax (VA) Fire Department and Local 2702
~Stafford County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department and Local 4012 * +
~Arlington County (VA) Fire Department and Local 2800 * +
~Charlottesville (VA) Fire Department and Local 2363
~Harrisonburg (VA) Fire Department and Local 3254
~Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department and Local 3756
~Washington, D.C. Fire & EMS Department and Local 36 *
~Prince Georges County (MD) Fire Department and Local 1619 * +
~Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Fire Department & Local 3217
~National Capital Area Federal Fire Fighters Local F121 *
~Fairfax County (VA) Police Department and IUPA Local 5000 * +
~Pentagon Police Department * +
* Asterisk indicates that they had personnel representing at the event on 5/24.
+ Plus sign indicates apparatus that was there.
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