Tag Archives: LODD

I was able to attend the Weissman service but was on duty yesterday during Whitacre's Funeral. Both were well attended and those in attendance should be proud that our Brotherhood was well represented. Yes... our "Brotherhood". These families got to see first hand over the past few days and week what all the "hype" and Brotherhood "talk" is about. They experienced it first hand. If you attended one of the services.... you did too.

We attend these services for the survivors. The fallen are already in a better place. You attend for the family. The wives (or husbands), children , parents etc as well as for their extended family.... the Brothers and Sisters of their Department. You attend to let them know (and see) that they are not alone, their grief is shared and their support system endless.

I hope to see you there. I URGE you to attend if at all possible. Regardless of Rank or tenure ( if you're a "Rookie" firefighter...you definitely should attend). I believe we owe it to each other to do so. It's paying "RESPECT" to a Brother or Sister.

I will be attending the funeral and have plenty of room if you'd like to ride ( Rhett will be out of town and unable to attend but we are taking the "Blog Mobile" ). I will be leaving Station #13 in Roanoke at 7am Thursday morning. We will return late Thursday night (We will be attending the 6pm wake as well).

Firefighter Pete Mclaughlin was killed in The Line of Duty on October 8, 1995 just a week or so after our last ride with R4. He was caught in a flash over with collapse. Later, they would name a street in Queen in honor and memory of Pete. You can read a small related article by clicking HERE . WELL DONE BROTHER ... continue to Rest in Peace and thanks again for the ride!

Like the 343 lost on 9/11, I try to remember these and all the other members lost in the Line of Duty EVERYDAY. I challenge you to do the same. Don't just remember these brave men today ( because of a 7 year "anniversary" ) remember them tomorrow, the day after that, the next, next and so on.

The " Illusion of death " .... HA ! There is no "illusion". Death is VERY real and nobody knows that better than those of us in the Fire / EMS service. We see it often .. sometimes daily. What we see is not the drama coated "Hollywood" death but the REAL thing. It's not pretty!

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve the life I've been given this past year but I am truly THANKFUL. Together, Rhett and I have made the journey of a lifetime in just a few short years. I can only imagine what 2012 will bring us.

The occupants were in a panic, fearing they were trapped; but Randy had it knocked down within seconds and with less than 500 gallons of water. Our County Brothers will be ecstatic to read that we even got the "brush rake" off the rig. Randy quickly got to the "head", extinguished and began "cutting a line" .... LMAO ... if we only had a " PULASKI" tool.

Chief Houff was the Battalion here on C-shift as well and even though he works for the County, we got to see each other a lot. Not just work either .... Chief Huff stayed by Billy's side everyday of his fight. It was a true testament to BROTHERHOOD.