16 years ago today, at 0800, I started my journey with the SFD by walking into Sta 2 without a clue as to how this ride would go or where it might end. I felt I had finally made something out of myself and was as proud as I could be b/c for 7 years prior to being hired, I had dedicated myself to getting all the classes, training, and experience I could to finally convince (then) Chief Higgins he needed to give me a simple chance. When he interviewed me that last time and called me to tell me I had the job, I told him he wouldnt be disappointed. I was able to make LT in 5 1/2 years ( thanks to some changes instilled by subsequent Chief Stephen Brezler), Captain at 6 yrs, and Assistant Chief at 8. Ive put in a lot of hard work and a ton of hours away from my family. Went through a divorce which damn near bankrupted me, found and married my best friend, Lauren Gladwell, lost one unborn child, had two BEAUTIFUL little girls, took care of, fought with, and lost my grandmother, found out part of the truth about my being a bastard and learned to live with that, fought with, didnt speak to, and reconciled with my parents, and learned from those experiences to try to be a better father and husband. I dealt with my history of being an abused child and came out of that closet, and somehow, through all of it, managed to change my attitude and embrace higher learning and fought like hell to finally obtain my college degree at 47 years of age. To me, thats quite a bit of stuff but people go through much worse and I know this b/c my profession allows me to see it on a daily basis. Ive had the opportunity to work along side some of the very best in the business. Trying to name all of them would make me disrespect some as I know I would inevitably leave someone out. But names like David See, Richard A. Hoppes, Joe Perdue (Georgia Yost Perdue), John W. Tull, Steve Fowler, DeVaughn Clark, Bryan Wayne-Records, Steve White, Tommy Harr, Matt Owens, Tommy Lewis (Carolyn C. Lewis), Lee Smith, and too many others to list, have all had significant impacts on my life and helped guide me to try to be a better person, firefighter, and officer. Ive worked with the best and worst the department has had to offer, and, at times, been both. Im proud of the former and ashamed to have been part of the latter on those occasions I was, and have tried hard to build myself into a better person using both as tools. My boss would probably tell you I still have a very long way to go and he would be right. Id be the first to agree with him and will use the remainder of my time to continue to improve. To those I work along side...thanks for allowing me to do so. Thats across the board; my current shift (whom I dearly love and am so proud of their skills, demeanor, drive, attitude, and devotion not only to each other, but to their constituents and to the Mission), to the other duty shifts, the Admin, and the volunteers at all the stations. Its a team effort and whatever success Ive enjoyed is a result of all each of you allows me to enjoy. I dont know where I will rate when its all finally over (which I hope will be a while yet), but I hope that when it is over, itll be more towards the positive than the negative. Thus far, its been a heck of a ride and anyone who wishes I hadnt been part of their ride can blame Bryan Records, as it was he who got me into this mess in the first place. More than anyone, I owe anything good that I am to Lauren. Shes the one who sees it all; good and bad. Her and my girls. Without them, nothing Ive managed to accomplish would matter. Looking forward to the next however many years and the challenges and opportunities they present!!
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:32:51 +0000
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