A Firefighters glove

A Firefighter's gloves hold many things.
From elderly arms to a kid’s broken swing.
From the hands they shake and the backs they pat
to the tiny claw marks of another treed cat.
At 2 am they are filled with the chrome
from the DUI who was on her way home
and the equipment they use to roll back the dash
from a family of 6 she involved in the crash
The brush rakes in the spring wear the palms out.
When the wind does a "90" to fill them with doubt
the thumb of the glove wipes the sweat of the brow
of the face of a firefighter who mutters "What now?"
They hold inch and three quarters flowing one seventy five.
So the ones going in come back out alive.
When the regulator goes; then there isn't too much,
but the bypass valve they eagerly clutch.
The rescue equipment, the ropes, the C-collars;
the lives they save never measure in dollars
are the obvious things firefighters gloves hold
or, so that is what I’ve always been told.
But there are other things firefighter’s gloves touch.
Those are the things we all need so much.
They hold back rage on that 3 am call.
They hold in the fear when you’re lost in a hall.
They hold back the pity, agony, sorrow.
They hold in the desire to "Do it tomorrow"
A glove is just a glove till it's on firefighters
who work all day long just to pull an all-nighter.
And into the fray they charge without fear
at the sound of a "Help" they think they hear.
When the firefighter’s hands go into the glove
it's a firefighter who always fills it with love.
Sometimes the sorrow is too much to bear
and it seeps the glove and burns it deep "in there"
Off come the gloves when the call is done
and into the pocket until the next run.
The hands become lonely and cold for a bit
and shake a little thinking of it.
And they sit there so red eyed with their gloves in their coats
the tears come so fast that the furniture floats.
They're not so brave now; their hands they can't hide.
I guess this means that they are human inside.
And though some are paid and others are not
the gloves feel the same when it's cold or it's hot.
To someone you're helping to just get along
when you fill them with love, you always feel strong.
And so when I go on my final big ride
I hope to have my gloves by my side
to show to St. Peter at that heavenly gate.
Cause as everyone knows, firefighters don't wait.

Thank God.

(Author Unknown)

Shopping Bag Humour

Ok.... when you guys leave the hall to pick up groceries maybe you should try these shopping bags to raise some interest. Pretty clever.

Willoughby Visits The Cradle Of Civilization

Ahhhhhh... Picture it if you will... October, 2002. A long bus ride to the cradle of civilization, New York City. Poor Willoughby suffered culture shock as he witnessed for the first time in decades the large buildings that he hadn't seen since his arrival in Canada as a fleeing draft dodger.
Once inside the sancuary of the hotel he found time to sleep and dream of sugar plums and other assorted sweet items dancing around inside his head. Upon awakening our young Willoughby saw that indeed his dreams had come true. "How can this be?", he asked himself. "Ahhhhh.... maybe too much of the Nectar of the Gods".
Please feel free to ask Willoughby for his secret to "quick hangover remedies".

Mr. & Mrs Gorsky

Thanks to Paula Hillis for this one : )

ON JULY 20, 1969, AS COMMANDER OF THE APOLLO 11 LUNAR MODULE, NEIL ARMSTRONG WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO SET FOOT ON THE MOON. HIS FIRST WORDS AFTER STEPPING ON THE MOON, "THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND," WERE TELEVISED TO EARTH AND HEARD BY MILLIONS.

BUT JUST BEFORE HE REENTERED THE LANDER, HE MADE THE ENIGMATIC REMARK "GOOD LUCK, MR.GORSKY." MANY PEOPLE AT NASA THOUGH IT WAS A CASUAL REMARK CONCERNING SOME RIVAL SOVIET COSMONAUT.HOWEVER, UPON CHECKING, THERE WAS NO GORSKY IN EITHER THE RUSSIAN OR AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAMS.

OVER THE YEARS MANY PEOPLE QUESTIONED ARMSTRONG AS TO WHAT THE "GOOD LUCK, MR.GORSKY.. STATEMENT MEANT, BUT ARMSTRONG ALWAYS JUST SMILED. ON JULY 5, 1995, IN TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA, WHILE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOLLOWING A SPEECH, A REPORTER BROUGHT UP THE 26-YEAR-OLD QUESTION TO
ARMSTRONG. THIS TIME HE FINALLY RESPONDED.MR.GORSKY HAD DIED, SO NEIL ARMSTRONG FELT HE COULD ANSWER THE QUESTION.

IN 1938 WHEN HE WAS A KID IN A SMALL MIDWEST TOWN, HE WAS PLAYING BASEBALL WITH A FRIEND IN THE BACKYARD.HIS FRIEND HIT THE BALL, WHICH LANDED IN HIS NEIGHBOR'S YARD BY THE BEDROOM WINDOWS. HIS NEIGHBORS WERE MR. AND MRS. GORSKY. AS HE LEANED DOWN TO PICK UP THE BALL, YOUNG ARMSTRONG HEARD MRS.GORSKY SHOUTING AT MR.GORSKY.

"SEX! YOU WANT SEX?! YOU'LL GET SEX WHEN THE KID NEXT DOOR WALKS ON THE MOON!"

TRUE STORY

FALL CLASSES FOR MEN

These times and dates for these classes can be found in the St. Clair College fall program booklet starting on page 32.

FALL CLASSES FOR MEN
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, September 25, 2006
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Classes begin Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.


Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.


Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and
Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor ---
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturday at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.


Class 5
After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.


Class 6
Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM.


Class 7
Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places
And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum .
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.


Class 8
Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesday at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.


Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday noon, 2 hours.


Class 11
Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing .
Tuesday at 7:00 PM, location to be determined.


Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours ! Beginning at 7:00 PM.


Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and
Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 14
The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesday at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.


Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the
survivors.

I bet at least one person went and looked on page 32 for the schedule..duh!!!!

Association Web Site

Hey, I got this from the Association; Really neat site.. I'll put a link over there ------>>


Blog: "Notice of October Meeting
Saturday, September 23, 2006


General Membership Meeting
Tuesday October 3, 2006
Hook & Ladder Club
7:30 PM
Groups 7& 1 working

Agenda
Swearing in of new Executive Board
Regular Order of Business
Read more... "

What If Iraq Won - Part 7

Upcoming Events

Here are a few upcoming events

Retirees stag: Oct./19 @ "The Hook"
Retirement Banquet: November 3 @ the Caboto Club
Derek Lyons Memorial Golf Tourney: October 7 @ Dominion Golf Club (Dinner back @ "The Hook"
Music @ "The Hook" (Sounds like fun): September 29 & 30



(Mongo, left, has been hired as the "Doorman" for the festivities)

Virginia Firefighter Dies During Demonstration - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Virginia Firefighter Dies During Demonstration - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty: "Early September 16, 19-year-old John Paul Memory II, a devoted Carrollton VFD member passed away while participating in a vehicle extrication demo in Franklin, VA at a local community celebration event.

He complained of not feeling right and then collapsed. He was immediately treated by Franklin FD members who witnessed him collapse. He went into arrest but could not be brought back. He was pronounced dead at the hospital."

N.J. Firefighter Killed Searching at Apartment Fire - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

N.J. Firefighter Killed Searching at Apartment Fire - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"UNION CITY, N.J. -- A firefighter died Saturday after he was overcome while searching a burning apartment building for people erroneously reported to be trapped.

Fire struck the three-story apartment building and a neighboring commercial building just before 6 a.m., said Chief Brion McEldowney of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue."

What If Iraq Won - Part Six

Indiana Firefighter Killed in Tanker Rollover - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Indiana Firefighter Killed in Tanker Rollover - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

A Wabash Valley firefighter was killed Monday afternoon when he lost control of the tanker truck he was driving and was ejected.

Errett W. Miller, 43, of Staunton was driving a Posey Township Fire Department tanker truck on his way to assist the Cory Volunteer Fire Department with a structure fire around 2 p.m"

Religion 101

Have you noticed lately how many emails you’re in receipt of regarding groups (other than the senders of said email) who don’t agree with their own slant on philosophy or religion? Where do these things originate anyway? I personally know someone who insists that all Muslims are “ordered” to read a “secret” book and it dictates that they MUST kill all Christians! WOW …. ! Where does this stuff start? If I depended on this sort of informational nonsense I should be careful when entering into any convenience store or taxi. Mind you I’m not “bashing” convenience store owners or taxi cab drivers. After all, I’ve met some pretty nice folks who are employed by or owned these establishments. Oh yes, before it escapes my mind, I also have a doctor from Iraq. Imagine my foolishness to think that he hasn’t read the “secret book”! Gimme a break!

I’ve read some forwarded emails supposedly written by “staff members” of newspapers who have called for their own version of a “holy war” against immigrants from other countries. Wow! What an authority figure they’ve made of themselves. I wonder how these folks became “Canadians” and what their family backgrounds are? Even worse what if their last name ends in a vowel???? Another thing; I visited some of the “editorial” sites that these emails originated from and the author can’t be found on their site. I find that interesting… Somebody wrote an editorial for the Edmonton Sun and they aren’t employed there. I suppose that’s where the word “Staff Infection” really came from.

Then I notice that the next email I receive from the very same people who want to send these immigrants back to the homeland contain a few quaint quotes regarding God and how special He is in their lives and warn me that if I don’t forward THEIR email that I will receive 20 years of plagues and pestilence. Hey, I can get a much better deal by breaking a mirror and receive only 7 years of bad luck. Don’t threaten others because they refuse to forward email. Over the years I’ve noticed that men die for religion, fight for religion, and dominate other countries for religion. Isn’t it too bad these folks won’t live for their religion?

I know what you’re saying. What about the photos from England with all the crazy Muslims with the posters calling for beheading of local politicians and the sort? There are all sorts of groups that are hate mongerers. That still doesn’t give us the right to put all groups different than us in the same boat. I guess there was that same sort of thinking with the KKK during the past. I find that Radical Muslims are to Islam as the KKK is to Christianity.

Everybody assumes because they found something on the Internet then it’s the absolute truth.
Wonderful ... If this is the case then I can guarantee that we will have the opportunity to meet aliens not of our galaxy at 2100 hours on the evening of December 14 of 2024. Hey, I read it on the web.. it has to be true!!!

Enough of receiving hate emails and forwarding them to others shall we. If we insist on forwarding hate emails let’s make certain we have met “the enemy” in order to make a fair assumption of his or her guilt. I don’t really care if it’s a Muslim, Jew, Protestant or Catholic. This country is made up of many different folks just like you and I. I wonder what would happen if the tables were turned and some of the Irish (or any other ethnic group) were being persecuted for the works of a radical Irish group. I think the Irish who have lived in this country for three generations definitely would NOT want to be forced to find homes back in the Old Country.

What If Iraq Won - Part Five

Check out the gas prices : ) - "Click" on the photo if you're too old to see it as it is!

What If Iraq Won - Part Four

Long-Time New York Firefighter Dies Responding to Call - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Long-Time New York Firefighter Dies Responding to Call - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"As paramedics gave Wilbur Ritter oxygen and loaded him into an ambulance, the 78-year-old volunteer had only one request from his fellow Sayville firefighters: 'Make sure you get the signs up for the blood drive.'

The words, which reflected a dedication to everything and anything related to the fire department, resonated in the minds and hearts of firefighters who gathered at their station house yesterday to remember the 59-year member of the department who died of an apparent heart attack Monday morning after answering his final call for duty."