For The Honor Of 343 Brothers

I'm now back home after completing the 9/11 memorial stair climb at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. After 5 climbs up 20 flight of stairs I'm exhausted, yet energized by the experience. This event qualifies as the most awesome, yet humbling that I've ever attended. There were was one brief moment towards the beginning of the fifth, and final climb that I contemplated stopping. I was soaked with sweat and picking up my feet felt like I was picking up lead weights. I quickly dismissed the thought from my mind though. While there is no doubt that what we did today was tough, it cannot hold a candle to the hellish conditions that my brothers from NYC ascended into on September 11, 2001. There was also the pledge I made to my best friend Jay, that I would do this in memory of his Uncle Tommy. Tommy did not waver on September 11th and I was not going to waver in honoring his memory.

Besides climbing in Tommy Sabella's memory, another thing that made this event particularly special in my mind was the attendance by families of a few of the fallen FDNY firefighters. There were a couple of times I got chills and even a bit misty eyed as these families clapped for us while we made our rounds through the lobby to begin our next ascent. Here are these families who have lost so much and deserving of my applause, yet they cheered us on. I was proud to serve them in the small way I could. As worn out as I am, I can honestly say that I would do this again in a heartbeat.

Then there was the awesome team I was a part of during the climb. We looked out for each other and we stuck together through the entire event. If someone needed a break, we all stuck with them even if it meant being passed by teams behind us. I had never met these folks before in my life, yet they were all my brothers. It was also great to climb with other servicemembers including a Marine Reservist and a Navy Hospital Corpsman. Like myself, these guys have chosen to serve on two fronts.

Last but not least, I was thrilled to finally meet Captain Willie Wines and Lieutenant Rhett Fleitz of the Roanoke Fire Department. I've known these fellas for a little while through their respective blogs and Rhett's fire news website. Not only was it an honor to participate in this event with them, but it was a pleasure to share some food, fellowship and a few beers afterwards.

Everything else aside, I can say that while I've never forgotten for a moment, this event has caused me to renew my vow that I will never, ever forget September 11, 2001 and the sacrifices made by so many on that day.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Up The Stairs

On Thursday I'll be participating in a September 11th memorial stair climb at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. Those of us participating will be climbing up 5 flights of stairs repeatedly until we reach the equivalent of 101 flights of stairs, the number of flights in the World Trade Center buildings. This is done to honor the memory of 343 fallen brothers from the New York City Fire Department who perished on that day while showing concern not for themselves, but for others.

Since we had the option at registration of choosing who we'd like to climb for, I've chosen to climb in honor of Thomas Sabella from Ladder 13. Why choose this individual out of the 343? All of them are heros. All of them are deserving of honor. So why this firefighter? As with the other 342, I never had the pleasure of meeting Firefighter Sabella. I guess I feel a personal connection with this person, small though it may be, in that he was the uncle of my best friend Jay. Through many stories from Jay over the years about "Uncle Tommy's" deeds and his personality, I've gotten to know this man quite well. His character and his way of doing things not only serve as a constant inspiration to me as a firefighter, but make me strive to be a better person in all I do.

Some might ask why climb the stairs? Particularly in heavy bunker gear. The answer is that it is a small way of paying my respects to those fallen brothers. The slow, steady climb up the stairs allows those of us participating time to reflect on their sacrifice. I think Captain Willie Wines of the Roanoke (VA) Fire Department captured the essence when he stated that in some small way we're helping those 343 brothers to complete their ascent up the stairs since the towers collapsed before they had a chance to finish their climb.

I never knew any of them. I wasn't even in country when the events of September 11th unfolded. I was half a world away with the Air Force watching the events unfold on Japanese TV. As a firefighter myself and more so as an American though, I feel it my duty to ensure those 343 brothers are not forgotten. I'll do my small part by making sure that Jay's Uncle Tommy never is.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his brother."

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

My Relaxation Zone

My Relaxation Zone, originally uploaded by VirginiaSouthern.

I know it has been a long, long time since I have updated this blog, but I felt that it was time to shake the dust off. I can't spend a lot of time writing at the moment, but I just wanted to share a photo of my little place for escaping. As I type this I'm enjoying listening to the various prog rock offerings on Pandora and enjoying a bottle of wine made by my best friend's father. It's these small pleasures that I revel in.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Happy Birthday Katrina

It is hard to believe that it was three years ago today when my little sweetheart entered the world. I still remember quite clearly getting the call at work on the 21st from Kristin telling me her water broke and my shock since Katrina was not due until the end of March. I remember my frantic (read: way too fast) driving from base to our house, and then the calm and controlled drive to the hospital once I had secured Kristin. Considering how rough labor can be on a first time mother, Kristin had it relatively easy. At a couple of minutes past midnight on the 22nd, Katrina Grace Warshaw came into the world and changed our lives forever. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her and knew there was nothing that I wouldn’t do for that little girl. I also remember how scared Kristin and I were when we were told that her iron was low and that she was going to have to be transported to the NICU in Columbia. 12 of the longest days you can imagine were spent commuting back and forth from Sumter to Columbia to see her and hopefully get word that we would soon be able to bring her home.

Each day I enjoy watching her grow a little more and learn something new. I love the curiosity I see in her eyes as she continues to explore the world around her. I just love being around her. Whether running around and kicking a ball outside or snuggling on the couch watching TV. It hurt my heart to be away from her for a year and I’ll do my damndest to ensure that never happens again. Now that I’m back, you better believe I’ll maximize every moment that I have with her.

Happy Birthday Katrina Grace Warshaw! Daddy loves you now and forever.

Mellow On Ice

Mellow On Ice, originally uploaded by VirginiaSouthern.

I am not a heavy drinker by any means. That being said, I do enjoy having a nightly cocktail to mellow out with. While I did have access to alcohol in the desert, it was not convenient to get and trying to get a decent mixed drink was a challenge to say the least. Having returned I am enjoying the fact that I can have a drink when I want in the comfort of my own home. *raising glass* Cheers!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Getting Back On The Horse

As I wind down the last week of my year-long deployment in the desert there are many things I'm looking forward to. First and foremost is getting back to my wife and daughter. After that I'm looking forward to everything from simply being back in the U.S. to not having to eat chow hall food again for awhile.

One thing I'm definitely looking forward to is getting back to firefighting. After a year away from it, I certainly find myself missing it. While I cannot particularly say I've missed hearing my pager wake me up in the middle of the night, I do miss helping people at their worst and the camaraderie I have always enjoyed from being a part of the organization. With that excitement though comes a bit of apprehension. I'm very nervous about getting into it again after such a long break from it. While the basics have certainly not left me, I know that there are things I am going to have to refresh myself on. I guess this is where experience helps though, however little I may have, in identifying what areas I need go over again. Many things from what is where on the apparatus to where this and that rural road are at are going to need to be refreshed. While I'm sure I will do okay, there's still a part of me that worries. That is just part of my nature though, not wanting to disappoint and always wanting to make sure I do the best job I can. It is going to be interesting for sure. While I am certainly not a rookie anymore, I see already that there will be a few times where it feels like that. Make no mistake though, my looking forward to getting back into it far outweighs any apprehension I have.

Of course, in another 5 months or so I get to start all over again anyway when I move from South Carolina to Maryland.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Break On Through To The Other Side

Break On Through To The Other Side, originally uploaded by VirginiaSouthern.

When I was setting up to take this shot, I could just hear the Doors' music in my head.

You know the day destroys the night
Night divides the day
Tried to run
Tried to hide
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side, yeah

Taken at Souq (market) Waqif in downtown Doha, Qatar.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Going Home Soon

I know. It has been some time since I've posted here. Taking two college classes and trying to get things ready for my departure has kept me fairly busy. As I write this though, I am only 21 days from leaving the desert for good. It is hard to fathom that a year has come and gone already. I am so ready. My wife and I have both been troopers throughout, but we're definitely weary of it now. I miss the hell out of my wife and daughter. I don't think families are really meant to be apart this long. I know so seeing how many families have been struggled with almost a decade of constant deployments for some. Material for another post I guess. In the meanwhile, it's time for this Airman to get his butt home. And finish my two classes before I do so I have nothing to worry about for my first two weeks home other than catching up with Kristin and Katrina. See you all on back on that side of the pond.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.