just a discussion area

[Brian]

I don't know if an area like this was needed, but I wanted to make sure there was a place to post general stuff that might not fit into the other categories.

Or, basically, just to chat.

[Gwen]

I felt kind of badly seeing this area sitting here not being used so thought people might like to know something about you guys, where you're firehouse is located. I'm new here so don't know anything really. Where do you live when you're not on duty? Do you have children? Anything you might want to share. What do you like to do in your spare time? Anyone else have questions?

[Brian]

what spare time? :cool:

[Emily]

I can relate to that one :D

[Gwen]

Sorry

[Brian]

dreamweaver,

did you still need your username changed?

email me the name you want and I'll take care of it. :)

[Carol]

Hello Brian

Is there anything that I can do to help with your work?

I know I live in England, but surely there is something I and some of my friends and family can do?

I would like to express my admiration for your work. I am sure that many of the brotherhood and their families worldwide appreciate having such a advocate.

Bless you
Carol

[Brian]

Thanks Carol.

I wouldn't exactly call myself an advocate. We just do what's right.

As for admiration and appreciation, I'd like to point out the incredible, seemingly non-stop input from everyone on this board. If you'd like to help, maybe you can assist finding articles and stuff to post on the site. There is probably going to be a ton of stuff this month, and we shouldn't expect things to just happen.

Let's make it happen. Anyone who wants to do something, see if you can add to the site, anything. Don't rely on a few people to do the work for everyone. Give a little. :)

And you don't have to focus on 9/11. You can comment on any firefighter....

Even if it's just 10 minutes of your time, once... that will be something. It does matter.

[canuck]

Hi my name is Melissa from Ottawa Canada and I wanted to write and let the firefighters know that I have been in contact with a 15teen year old from Austrilia for the last month and she has a wonderful message. She has been very sad since september 11th and for her she dosen't know how do deal with it. Also know that her country has been directly affected by terrorizm she is very hurt and is not quite sure what her future is. I have tried to remind her that the people who have done this are cowards and don't speak for everyone. I have also told her that her generation is our future and with hope and a lot of love and faith that her future will be brighter. I did let her know that we as adults have made a lot of mistakes in the past and know we are paying for them in away we never thought possible. I said that the only way to deal with this know is through finding terrorists and holding them accountable. I do wish her well and hope that no more pain like september 11th or last week will happen again. She wanted to say that all of you are in her heart and in her prayers everyday and that she wishes she could do more. I told her by being strong and loving herself and being close to her family is the best she could do and to go on and have a wonderful life. She has helped me a lot and I hope someday to meet this very wise child.

[Carol]

Dear Mellisa

What a caring person you are! Not many people can find the words today to reassure our children in these uncertain times, but you have certainly found some of the ones that truly matter.

In Britain, I am sorry to say, we have had so much experience of violence, that we forget that other nations have never had to face the stark reality it brings. We do, however have the heart and soul to stand against those who bring such things to pass.

Please reassure your Australian friend that she is not alone in her uncertainty. Many of us, adults as well as our children are today asking the questions that matter. It is one of the good points that has been born from 9/11 and now Bali.

Tell her to keep asking those questions and to get her friends to do the same. One day, when they are adults, they will be proud to have made a difference. Change can only come when people care enough to want to make that change.

If caring means asking some difficult questions and having to accept that the answers are not readily available, then so be it, but keep plugging away.

In the meantime, please pass on some hugs from some British sisters to yourself and your dinkum mate.

Best wishes

Carol

[Emily]

I'd just like to take this opportunity as an Australian to thank those of you from around the world who have posted so many wonderful, supportive messages on our newspaper websites following the Bali attack. We've had hundreds from Americans, and many from Britain and Canada, among other countries, and I just want to say we really do appreciate the support. This attack didn't happen on Australian soil, but it was very close - almost honorary Australian soil I suppose, since Bali has been a favourite holiday destination among Aussies for years. I ask you also to remember the Balinese people, who with this attack have had their livelihood destroyed, since tourism is the mainstay of their economy.

[Carol]

Just a few words to mention that our British firemen are starting industrial action in order to secure a much needed pay rise. There is talk that this action will be starting over the bonfire weekend, a very busy time for any fireman.

The last time they went on strike was in the 1970's and they have not had a significant pay rise since then, so they truly deserve this.

Contrary to popular opinion, the British public are supporting them. If any of the brothers out there have links with the British boys and girls, send them some messages of support please.

carol

[Emily]

Carol - if you have a look at the forum "In the News", there are a couple of articles dealing with the US firefighters' own battle to get a payrise. In New York, in particular, they've been told there just isn't enough money to do that... yeah, right :mad: So I think you'd find the British firefighters will have their American colleagues right behind them - and vice versa. Good luck to all of them, and I hope the fireys of both countries get the payrise they deserve.

[Carol]

Hi Emily

many thanks for the info. Will pass this on. What is is about city officials and politicians? Why are the people who do the dangerous jobs always treated as second class citizens.

It is about time that they received the recognition they truly deserve. We have a saying in England, Vote With Your Feet. If your officials are elected, remind them that votes can disappear if the right things are not done.

After 9/11, who can possibly say the fire personnel are not worth the extra money they need, not just in wages, but in equipment as well.

Keep plugging away.

Carol

[intruder]

I was good friends with a Firefighter who lost his life in a arson fire, intetionally set to trap and kill a firefighter. This happen seven years ago and the crime is still unsolved. Then i was unable to spread the tragic news news to the rest of the fire community. With the help of this site I tend to spread the news and ask for support for his family and friends.

[Carol]

To all readers!

In the UK this week, we lost a brother in a fire. A member of his stations white watch, he went out on a call and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Please take a moment to remember him and his family.

Carol

[peter m boule]

what great web site.well put togther.keep up the great work:D

[devoncrutcher]

Hello Brian,
This is a letter I just sent to Jim,I wanted you to be apart of what I was up too.
Hello Jim,
I wanted to ask you If you would think about selling some of my prints on your site of my 9-11 fireman painting. I took all my money, Maxed my credit cards. ( smile) and am currently having the prints made 25"x 32 1/2" I 'm going to sign and number them, they are serial number copywrited. They should be very collectable. I repainted the painting with a couple more weeks work, Neil, Neil Donahue @Fallen Brothers; got the patch for me. I re-did the Angel and patch. I'm trying to get the painting to a place for all the fireman brothers can connect. I'm working on the WTC memorial. I'm not trying to make allot of money at this but there's a little to go around. I would like to donate $4.00 0n each print. I'm figuring to charge $20.00 for each one + $3.00 for shipping includes tube to protect. Bottom line I make $16.00 and you make $4.00 on each print. If I can sale like 60,000 I'm coming to New York and where having A New York Fireman barbeque (luau) on me. Do like we do in Hawaii and close down the street, you can count on that. That $4.00 you can do what you want, Be good to take care of the living more than the passed on. I'm talking the sales outside of Fallenbrothers too, not sure about how much but a fair of the heart human amount. I have received so many E-mails from your site that want a copy of it. The stories have been heart wrenching I can't give original to just one person. I'm donating the original. In all I put probably put 3,000 hours in the painting, my picture of the painting on the site is junk already. I had to get it professionally done, that will be on line to replace the ones on the site.Seems like your site is my only real connection to a friend out there I appreciate. Let me know. take care of yourself. You might see this letter a few times I have to save it cause can't type, picking thing. Love you guys...
Devon H.C. Crutcher
www.devoncrutcher.com/nycfireman.html

[shantyirish]

I really think this website, from the home page, is wonderful. It's been 3 yrs since the towers were hit. I went home from work and cried all afternoon. I knew people that may be effected by this, one being my brother on his way to his honeymoon, that sounds trivial, and a couple of friends in the Army national guard and one friend in the marines. My boyfriend, at that time, is in the volunteer fire department. His fire department was on standby for cleanup help if needed. They never went, but it still lingered

I think it is a wonderful thing firefighters do, scary but brave. I am deeply sorry for FDNY companies that have lost soo many of their brothers.

Looking at this website, three years later, still brings up all of the pain. I wasn't there in Manhattan, but I am about 2 hours north of there in upstate NY and I did go to the Albany Museum and see the display. Talk about an awesome and intense display.

Thank you for doing this website.

[precious206]

hi everyone i am new here and wanted to take a moment and say hello and to say i am from ny and am a fiancee of a ny fireman he is a volunteer on long island but within the tradgedy of 9/11 he lost one of his best friends and a fellow brother Jonathan Ielpi Squad.288 worst of it is is that he had just seen him the night before my fiancee was sent in that day with is brothers of his company here on long island to cover for the fdny and was there for 3 days after that doing rescue and recovery. What hurts me is how the mayor of NYC has found its ok to close down the firehouses and not pay our men n women what they are rightfully owed. Every night i say a prayer for those who made the ultimate sacrifce that day and those who are still making that choice every day. I worry every day when he goes out on a call and it turns out to be a fire scares me to death but i am so proud of him. Sorry I am babbling on just once i started typing its hard to stop lol