Losing someone, whether expected or not, is an event that truly shakes you to your very soul. I recently experienced that awful feeling when a friend and former clinical teammate died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. I think of her frequently and still can not completely accept her death, sometimes thinking she is simply on vacation and will soon return to share her compassion and unique view of life. In the weeks since her death, I have challenged myself to make changes that allow me to better appreciate that which life has to offer. Too often we are consumed with tasks that fill up every minute of our waking time and steal the moments that should be reserved for family, friends, and ourselves. It has said that time is a gift. How true! I have always been a strong proponent of time management, often organizing my days around schedules, chores, and errands and taking care of others at times to my own detriment. Since losing Becky, I have been more aware of simply letting the unnecessary things in life no longer determine how I chose to live. Laundry piling up? Oh, well……dishes in the sink? Too bad…..House not tidy? It can wait……Phone call during dinner? That is what answering machines are for…….. When I start to worry about the growing mound of ironing, streaks on the bathroom mirrors, and crumbs on the kitchen floor I ask myself, ”Did it matter if Becky had emptied the dishwasher or cleaned off the porch on the day she died? Did it matter to her grieving family and friends?” Remember those who have died by honoring your life and all those who you adore. Live fully, love hard, laugh often. Rid yourself of negative people and influences. Rise above ignorance. Always take responsibility for your actions. Be the best parent. Lend a hand. Allow nature to inspire you. Offer hope. Take care of yourself. Honor those who have gone before you by making the commitment to live, not simply exist.
Amanda Custer
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
"How Ya Doin'?"
This week we commemorate the loss of 343 New York Firefighters in the World Trade Center Disaster on September 11th, 2001. While we may have not known any of these men personally, we have developed a sense of understanding as to the pain this tragedy created for their families and their fellow firefighters. After the loss of the Charleston 9 last year, many of New York's finest came to our aid in the form of peer counselors and eventual friends to help us deal with our own tragedy. Many of you now know guys like big Ralph Esposito, who rode into town on his Harley and became a good friend to us all. Others followed, John Hemsley, Art Tracy, Dag Dorph, John Bruckner, George Faller, Joe Curry, Dave Gettens, Charlie James, Bob Kilkenny, Gerry Moriarty, Bob Winkler and Joe Hines and last, but not least, our own Richie Denninger, who came here to stay and become one of us. Throughout our contacts with these men, they always ask the same thing, the well-known phrase right out of New York, "How Ya Doin'?" Even though it has been some time since their last visits, they always ask about all of you and remain truly concerned about your well-being. For that, we will be forever grateful and this week we especially have them in our thoughts and wish them well.
Honor the memory of the 343 New York Firefighters and the Charleston 9 by asking yourself, How am I doing? Think it over and let us know if we can help you.
Be safe, my Friends,
Gerald
Honor the memory of the 343 New York Firefighters and the Charleston 9 by asking yourself, How am I doing? Think it over and let us know if we can help you.
Be safe, my Friends,
Gerald
Friday, September 5, 2008
"Raising Engine 11" Update
Pictured above are Team Clinicians Chris Wells, Amanda Custer and Jim Zukauskas working on Engine 11.
Work is progressing on Engine 11. We have it stripped of most of the parts, handrails, treadplate, handles, etc. that will need to be replated. We are reconfiguring the hose bed to make a seating area for people to ride during parades and will be putting the seats and headliner in the shop this week to be recovered. We are doing some sandblasting on the running boards and compartments this coming week in preparation for sending it to the body shop. It is turning out out be quite a project but one that will be very rewarding in the end. We could still use some donations to help offset the expenses if anyone would like to make a contribution. Thanks to all of you that have contributed your time and money so far.
Our Salisbury Brothers & Sisters
While Richie Denninger and I were in Mooresville at the Brad Baity Scholarship fundraiser last week, we visited the Salisbury, North Carolina Fire Department. This was our third trip there since they lost two firefighters of their own in March of this year in a tragic fire. We were asked to come visit them the first time back in May to share any information we had learned from our experiences here at home. Salisbury has 40 + personnel in four stations on three shifts. During our visits, we have been able to spend time in all four stations on all three shifts as well as meeting with the entire command staff. They are facing the same difficulties all of us have been experiencing here in Charleston. They have been criticized in the media, faced an OSHA investigation and have evaluated their department from A to Z. In spite of their own struggles, they have always expressed their concerns and best wishes for all of you. They are a great group of men and women and we have been honored to work with them and to represent all of you in our visits. We are looking forward to returning to see them soon. If any of you are in the area, it would be worthwhile for you and for them to stop and pay them a visit.
"Fireproof, the Movie"
The events of the past year have brought much strife to all of us. The strain on relationships continues to be difficult for many of you. A new movie, "Fireproof", is being released in theatres on September 26. The story line involves firefighters and the difficulties they face in their marriages brought on by the job. View the trailer for what will be an important look at the lives of firefighters and their families.
Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship
Richie Denninger and I attended a picnic in Mooresville, North Carolina last week with Brad Baity's family. The picnic was to raise funds for the Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship Fund. It was an honor to be there and to spend time with Brad's Mom and Dad, Dot and James, his brother, Jimmy, and his sister, Sharon.
The Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship recognizes a senior high school student from the Mooresville Graded School District for his/her accomplishments as a model citizen of Mooresville and of this country. The scholarship is in memory of Brad, a son of Mooresville, a 1988 graduate of Mooresville High School and a genuine patriot. As a child Brad was a Boy Scout and later a police cadet, a U.S. Marine and firefighter. He was very active in his church and community and was a consummate family man. He lost his life in the Sofa Super Store fire on June 18, 2007, along with eight other brave Charleston firefighters. Brad was 37 years old. In addition to his Mooresville family, Brad left behind his wife, Heather, his daughter, Mariah and his son, Noah, all of whom live in Charleston. Brad touched the lives of many, many people. Those who knew him best admired his unwavering devotion to God, family, country and community. He was the epitome of a true Patriot, someone driven by values and who gave unselfishly to help others and his country. The Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship is intended for those young adults who exemplify the same qualities.
Many of you were close friends with Brad and he surely exemplified the qualities of the candidates for this scholarship. If you would like to make a contribution to this fund in memory of Brad, you can do so by sending your donations made payable to the "Mooresville Excellence in Education Foundation" (M.E.E.F.) c/o Chris Baker, 958 Muirsfield Drive, Mooresville, N.C. 28115.
The Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship recognizes a senior high school student from the Mooresville Graded School District for his/her accomplishments as a model citizen of Mooresville and of this country. The scholarship is in memory of Brad, a son of Mooresville, a 1988 graduate of Mooresville High School and a genuine patriot. As a child Brad was a Boy Scout and later a police cadet, a U.S. Marine and firefighter. He was very active in his church and community and was a consummate family man. He lost his life in the Sofa Super Store fire on June 18, 2007, along with eight other brave Charleston firefighters. Brad was 37 years old. In addition to his Mooresville family, Brad left behind his wife, Heather, his daughter, Mariah and his son, Noah, all of whom live in Charleston. Brad touched the lives of many, many people. Those who knew him best admired his unwavering devotion to God, family, country and community. He was the epitome of a true Patriot, someone driven by values and who gave unselfishly to help others and his country. The Brad Baity Patriotism Scholarship is intended for those young adults who exemplify the same qualities.
Many of you were close friends with Brad and he surely exemplified the qualities of the candidates for this scholarship. If you would like to make a contribution to this fund in memory of Brad, you can do so by sending your donations made payable to the "Mooresville Excellence in Education Foundation" (M.E.E.F.) c/o Chris Baker, 958 Muirsfield Drive, Mooresville, N.C. 28115.
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