A message from the Army Reserve…

Two hundred thirty-five years ago one of history's greatest adventures began when a small band of patriots in Philadelphia resolved to stake their all--their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor--for freedom and independence. On that day America was born and our country has been an inspiration for free men and women around the world ever since.

Today we remember not only the day our country was born, but we also remember the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We remember how a small band of patriots declared independence from a powerful empire; and formed, in the new world, what the old world had never known-a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

It is that unyielding spirit which defined us then and continues to define us now. It is what led generations of pioneers to blaze a westward trail and extend the American experience; to persevere through internal strife and form a perfect union; to face an economic depression with vim and emerge victoriously; and to triumph in the face of tyranny from evil doers who attempt to suppress the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from a sovereign populace. It, too, is what has always led us, as a people, not to wilt or cower at a difficult moment, but to face down any trial and rise to any challenge.

Across America as Family and friends gather to celebrate the freedoms we all enjoy, remember those, some far from home, who make this patriotic holiday possible. This is our opportunity to focus on our Families and appreciate their sacrifices and contributions to the liberties we hold so dear.

For those of you who are deployed and who continue to take the fight to the enemy in the high plains of Afghanistan or the deserts of Iraq, know that what you are doing in defense of this great Nation is in keeping with the spirit of Independence Day and America's military services. For those who are on the home front, your vigilance, courage and sacrifice provide us the opportunity to live in a free society and serve notice to terrorists and those who threaten the vision of our Nation's founders.

So, on this special day, the birthday of our country, in the midst of all the joyous celebrations, let us take a moment to remember the debt of thanks we owe to those who came before us and to the spirit of faith and patriotism which still makes America "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Thank you, God bless you, and may God always bless America.

Thank you 1SG Willie J. Moss (1942 (?)-1992)

Hey, Top

It’s been a great number of years since I saw you last. I think I was TDY at Anniston Army Depot in AL the last time our paths crossed. I never got the chance now that I’m an NCO to really thank you for what you taught me without even knowing it.

I remember there have been a few times that we’ve talked face to face (with your desk separating us) with not really the best of circumstances causing the meeting. I guess that was part of you teaching me that I am human and I am going to make mistakes—some of pretty good magnitude (I honestly didn’t know that was your truck, 1SG).

I remember the afternoon when you had all of the platoon sergeants down in the leaning rest in front of your office. While chewing them a good one you caught me watching and asking what the hell I was doing. I still remember my answer. “I’m learning that if you’re going to have a bunch of us junior enlisted (we were called lower back then) in the front leaning rest for screwing up, I know now that you’re going to do the same to senior NCOs.”

I also learned that there’s a time to pop the stripes off the collar and just enjoy yourself. I’ve seen it quite a few times at the Gasthaus at Ft. Eustis, and do it a bit myself.

Top, you were the one that basically inspired me to try to get that diamond. It took me 2 OCONUS deployments and a couple of CONUS mobilizations, and if it wasn’t for that damn PT test, I’d probably be running my own ambulance company right now.

I’ve grown a little, Top. I went from being the best forklift operator that the 119th ever had (that kid only beat me by 6 seconds on the course) to being a damn fine medic—with a little bit of grease monkey and recruiter thrown in for good measure.

I ended up being a platoon sergeant for about 3 years right after my 1st Reserve mobilization. I enjoyed it but ex-wife #2 hated the fact that even in the Reserve, it’s a 24/7/365 job. After the 2nd, I ended up being the lead trainer for my unit.

I know that in the time since we last crossed paths and I rendered you your final salute, there has been a “Yoda” to fill in the “Obi-Wan” role you took. Now, I look forward to retirement and hoping that I trained my replacement to take what he was taught and run with it.

Good talking to you again, 1SG

BUSTIN’ LOOSE

The Top 10 things I’d rather do than…

Situation:  Daughter asked me to take her bra shopping.

Answered by saying I’d rather…

10. Walk through Osama’s front door wearing a suicide vest

9. Go into a working house fire wearing a pair of tight bikini briefs ONLY

8. Work in front of the berm at a hot rifle range.

7. Tap dance on a landmine

6. Be the stuntman on the Mayhem commercials.

5. Breakdance on the autobahn

4. Be kicked in the nuts by all 32 starting punters in the NFL

3. Run face first into the spinning tail rotor of a Blackhawk.

2. Go sliding down a sliding board of nothing but double edged razor blades and land in a vat of rubbing ETOH.

1. Stand in the middle USASOC graduation ceremony and call Rangers, Airborne, and SF Soldiers “pussies”.

Yep…that about sums it up

USA EMS Conference part i

Here again, one of the many "part 1" posts I've made here...

So far it's been a great conference here in San Antonio.  I officially consider this my "train up" for EMS Expo in August, especially after having to jump few a few hoops just to get orders to go.


Arrived on Monday afternoon and visited the Alamo--hard to believe that I'm in the HOME of COMBAT MEDIC TRAINING and I have never visited the Alamo (or the Riverwalk) until Monday afternoon.  Although Durty Nelly's provided an evening of entertainment.


Tuesday officially started the conference out with some mandatory classes (I think the folks that put this on have never been to a REAL EMS conference). The only time we could go through the exhibit hall was during lunch and the breaks...but the whole sit and listen to blah blah blah was worth 6 CEUs.


Also found out that if we visit ALL the folks in the exhibit hall that we'd get 2 additional CEUs for the conference (that's 8 so far).  Finished that out today.


Today I went to only one class and finished out the exhibit hall.  I basically got a partial restock for my aid bag just by visiting the exhibitors (very jealous of one of my counterparts who got a CRIC kit--but then again I got a free pelican case yesterday).


Tomorrow I have a light class schedule as I am in full conference mode now.  I might make a trip to the "Tower of the Americas" just to scope it out.




This definitely is NOTHING LIKE EMS Today, FDIC, or (I hope) EMS Expo.

Mutual Aid Requested...

Here's what's giving me the headache...

All ya gotta do is click on the link, and read it.

THEN, let me know which scene would be a better opening scene 1 or 2...it's that easy

Leave a comment, or a msg on facebook, or a @reply on the twitter

FDIC 2011—as traveled by me

Ahhhhh….returned home last night from another whirlwind weekend…and had no orders attached to the end of it like my trip to Baltimore.

Me and “the Deer Slayer” (aka “the Green Machine”, “WTF is that?”, and “Rescue 4”) made our way eastward on 74 at a good rate of putter.  The entire time knowing I had a goal of being there around 1400 EDT (Thanks, Boss, for not shoving me out and letting us shoot the wind). By the time I reached and crossed the IL/IN border, I had a few inquisitive tweets and texts as to my whereabouts. One was a Beautiful maiden telling me that she was going to be “living vicariously thru u this weekend”.

After a couple of missed turns (and too late to hit the convention center (especially after I was told it was $45 to get in per day)), I ended at my hotel.

I figured since I had time before the meet up, I figured I’d take care of about 5 days of weeds on my face before I went. I no sooner had my lower jaw covered with shaving cream when another text came in “We’re here…surprise.”

I made my way to the door and had to crane my neck when I opened it and saw gingermedic and the before mentioned beauty.  Needless to say, my jaw hit the concrete.  Here I was, shaving cream on my face, one path of a razor down my neck, and two beautiful women come to my door.

I let the ladies in and return to finish the removal of the beard from my face (Damn, a lot of grey hair shows in my beard when I don’t shave). We then draft some kind of game plan for the night.

While all the thinking was going on (explains the HA I had), @Ckemtp comes a pounding on my door.  Three medics and a basic 28 days out of the month (only a combat medic on reserve weekends) planning to invade a fire party.  This is gonna be fun.

When we finally found a place to park and got there we were greeted by @FireCritic and made our way to get a soda and a glass of water. was actually surprised he could stay out as late as he did

And of course Dave Statter already knew about the blog post before I even composed it.

Was a shock to have the publisher of EMS World sit and talk to us for a little bit.  Was also “very cool” to meet Tiger Schmittendorf, the host of “Firefighter Storytellers” on Firefighter Netcast.

We ended up going back to the room early and becoming pretty much asystolic.  Saturday’s events (to include my 21 second obstacle course time) in the next.

RED Fridays [Sometimes it isn’t the thought that counts]

A young lady that I know on twitter posted this and I told her I would repost in my blog.

Our guest blogger:  @medic61

There has been a campaign that has recently resurfaced to have US citizens wear red shirts on Fridays to “Remember Everyone Deployed.” But what does wearing a red shirt mean to our soldiers who are actually deployed? No one deployed is going to be able to look and see that his or her loved ones are wearing red in support. But what members of our armed forces CAN do is hold a letter in their hands, excitedly open a care package, or read an encouraging email.

It would be so much more helpful and meaningful to write a letter or send a package to our deployed military service members. Even if you don’t know someone who is deployed, there are tons of organizations that can help you get in touch. You can even talk to your friends and see if they have deployed loved ones that could use support.

As some of you may know, one of my closest friends who has been a constant source of strength and support in my life for many years has just come back from Afghanistan.  We spent a year writing letters, sending packages, having short phone calls and skype conversations, and now he is finally back in the US.  The picture posted with this rant note is of him holding his half of our mizpah coin (we aren’t religious people, but just appreciate the sentiment of the necklace) while on mission somewhere in Afghanistan.  I don’t think knowing I was wearing red would have helped him feel any less lonely/homesick/tired of being in Afghanistan, but maybe holding that necklace, reading my letters, or getting my packages did.

So I guess what I’m saying here is: instead of being passively supportive, make an active difference!

If you want more information, here are some websites you can check out:

http://www.anysoldier.com/
http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.amillionthanks.org/
http://troopssupport.com/
http://soldiersangels.com

Also, if you want more information you can always contact me personally. 

Please, don’t get me wrong; I love that people are thinking of our deployed men and women and want to show their support.  I’m not trying to dissuade you from wearing red on Fridays at all!  What I am doing, however, is urging you to let our service members know how much you really care through other (more direct) avenues as well, because sometimes it isn’t just the thought that counts.  For instance, you and your friends could participate in RED Friday and send a letter to a deployed soldier along with a picture of you all.  That way, they can actually see the solidarity and unity being displayed back home.  Be creative, get involved, and let those who are risking their lives that we appreciate them.

Feel free to reblog; I’d love to get the word out to as many people as possible about how they can get involved if they’re interested!

note to medic61:  I did.  Just now.