|
JACKSONVILLE ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED
FIREFIGHTERS
Jacksonville Fire Museum
1406 Gator Bowl Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
WEBSITE:
Jacksonville Retired Firefighters Association
----------------------------------
OCTOBER 2009
October is a busy month, turning of the leaves in
North Carolina, cooler weather, and the start of the holiday season.
This month has historically been busy for the fire
department. There is always Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, Fire
Prevention Week, Retiree’s luncheon, MDA drive and other yearly events.
However, never in the history of this department
has fire prevention week been so ignored. I remember a time when there
was a week long celebration beginning with a parade through the city.
MEMBER REPORT:
Captain “Fatz” Harden was unable to attend the
annual luncheon and is home doing well. We hope to see him back with us
soon.
Levi Starling was in St. Luke’s Hospital for a week
but is now home and recuperating fine.
Mike Jole had a lung removed. He is undergoing
chemotherapy and is home recuperating His doctor’s were positive that
they caught the cancer in time.
On Friday, October 23, Davis Love was returned to
Intensive Care at Baptist Hospital and remains there as of this
newsletter. Cayden Seng , Davis’ grandson is back in Baptist receiving
more cancer treatments. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire
family at this difficult time.
David Addison has not been able to attend any
functions recently due to the amount of time it takes to take care of
his wife. His wife needs 24 hour care. We wish him the strength it
takes to continue to do so.
EVENTS:
Friday, October 16, a ceremony was held to dedicate
the new Fire Station 28. Retiree’s from that station were not notified
of this event and therefore none were in attendance.
REDKNIGHTS BIG FUND RAISER: On Saturday, November
7, 2009 at Firefighter’s Hall there will be A 50’s SOCK HOP to benefit
the Redknight’s Motorcycle Club Charities.
On Monday, November 16, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., the
Jacksonville Firemen’s Death Benefit Fund Directors will hold a meeting
at the Union Hall to make by-law changes. All those interested are
encouraged to attend. This is an important meeting concerning your
benefits.
NEWS:
Retired District Chief Donald Kirkland, is running
for the office of Retired Pension Advisory Board Committee Member.
Donald has held this position in the past and performed his duties
well. He is now asking for your vote and support in the coming
election.
During the October 8 breakfast, a motion was made
to retain the Jacksonville Retired Firefighter’s Association Officers
for the year 2010 and the motion passed unanimously.
2009 ANNUAL LUNCHEON:
Master of Ceremonies Rockin’ Ron (Ronnie Learn)
would like to thank ALL of the people that helped to make this year’s
luncheon a huge success. There were 346 retiree’s in attendance this
year. It has certainly grown from the first luncheon that served 29.
There were some special awards given this year to
individuals that serve the Jacksonville Retired Firefighters’
Association:
Buddy Harris – for his work on the website and
furnishing his snorkel and flag at all funerals.
Harold Hurst – for his unselfish dedication to the
care of Fatz Hardin.
Linda Treadwell – for her never ending duties to
the Association.
Percy Golden – for his tireless efforts in
assisting the retirees and their families at most difficult times.
President Randy Wyse – for his continued support
and involvement in the annual luncheon.
The JFRD Honor Guard Commander, Chief Charles
Moreland accepted an award on behalf of the Jacksonville Retired
Firefighter’s Association for their efforts in honoring all
firefighter’s that have answered their final alarm.
Warren Treadwell, retired JSO Sergeant, Linda
Treadwell , Firefighter, Wanda Surrency, Warren’sister, and her husband
Bill accepted an award on behalf of George Treadwell our oldest living
firefighter.
Special gifts were given to the following: D. K.
Whitman, for traveling the farthest ( Lake Arthur, La). Miles Bowers
for having the most number of years on the job. Ressie Taylor for being
the oldest retiree in attendance.
The big prize this year was won by Butch
McLaughlin, a 50” LG Plasma TV. The second prize went to David
Blankenship, a 42” LG Plasma TV. Congratulations!
Wayne Doolittle “I’m sorry if Chief Gary Keys
misunderstood my comment about the “past administration” in their lack
of support for the retirees. Chief Keys surely knows which
administration I was referring to.”
Our Association has grown to a membership of 411.
WOW what success.
Don’t forget the monthly breakfast on Thursday,
November 12, 2009
Most Years One The Job
George Wells and Friends
 
The Big Winner!
Oldest Living Retired Attendee
 
Nick(L30) and Sean(E2) Our
Successors George Treadwell’s Family
----------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 2009
Summer is over, at least that is what the
calendar says. Cooler days will soon be here.
MEMBER REPORT:
Retired Battalion Chief (F-5-C), and City
Councilman, Max Leggett passed away on Monday, September 28, 2009 at
home. Our condolences to his wife Elizabeth and the family.
Davis Love is till recuperating from the most
serious surgery for stomach cancer. The family is requesting that no
visitors go to the hospital Cards and letters are welcome at the home.
The address is 13707 Pleasant Valley Drive, Jacksonville, 32225.
Clint Norman goes into the hospital on October
6 for back surgery.
Larry Harrold’s 11 year old granddaughter is in
Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and has been diagnosed with Crone’s
Disease.
Skip Cunningham is home recuperating well after
his accident.
George Treadwell is maintaining at his
daughters in Bryceville.
Capt. “Fatz” E.E.Harden is home. We hope to
see him back at the union meeting and monthly breakfast soon
EVENTS:
The monthly breakfast will be held on Thursday,
October 8, 2009 at Picadilly (Beach and University) Breakfast will be
served at 8:00.
DON’T FORGET !!!!!!!!!!!!! JFRD Fallen
Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009
at Fire Station 1. Please plan to attend to show respect and honor for
Neal Tarkington. The ceremonies will begin at 10:00.
The State Fire College in Ocala will hold it’s
Memorial on Friday, October 9, beginning at 10:00.
Linda Treadwell will be ride captain for the
Redknights as they ride to Ocala for this event. They will meet at the
Cracker Barrel at I-10 and Chaffee. Kickstands up at 8:00.
As a point of history, Retired Captain John
Wright (E-44) that went on to be the Chief of the Deland Fire Department
and the Florida State Firemen’s Association was very instrumental in the
establishment of the Memorial in Ocala.
Linda Treadwell attended the IAFF Fallen
Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colaorado. Linda served as
an escort for Debbie Tarkington and her son Neal, Jr. Neal , Sr. passed
away last year and his name was added to the wall at the memorial this
year. Also, attending the ceremonies was President Randy Wyse, IAFF 12th
District Representative Larry Osborne, Robert Tarkington and wife Gail
(retired chief’s secretary). Because of the money raised at the
banquet, numerous members of our own
Honor guard were present.
The 27th Annual Retired
Firefighter’s Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at
Firefighter’s Hall, 618 Stockton Street. Doors will open at 12:00.
Good food will be provided by Bob Morrison and his cook crew.
We have been asked by Local 122 to announce a
fundraiser planned for October 30 in honor of Alex Sink whom our union
has endorsed for the office of Governor. For more information call Mark
Treglio at 219-8657.
On November 7, 2009 the Redknights Motorcycle
Club will be sponsoring a 1950’s Sock Hop at Firefighter’s Hall. This
fundraiser will feature Rick Marino and his “Elvis Extravaganza” and
Debra Shirley as “Patsy Cline”.
This is a fundraiser for The Amoebas Syndrome
Foundation. Moebius is a rare birth defect that affects the 6th
and 7th cranial nerves. The money raised at the event will
be donated in the name of Tristen Hoekstra, grandson of retired Lt. Ron
Hall (Ichabod) E-11. Ticket prices are: $35.00 single, $60.00 a couple
and $300.00 per table. Doors open at 6:00 and show begins at 7:00.
Food, drinks, 50/50, door prizes and silent auction will be available.
Wayne Doolittle and Linda Treadwell are co-chairpersons for this event.
You can call the museum or any member of the Redknights for tickets and
more information.
HUMAN INTEREST:
A fireman’s wife (after researching all
insurance policies) recently presented her husband with a unique
birthday present. Our own Rockin’ Ron, Ronnie Learn was given a
skydiving certificate by his wife, Sue.
This adventure started in an antique Piper
Cub. We have it on good authority that there is a question if this
aircraft was ever inspected or even had a registration with the FAA.
After viewing Jacksonville from the sky Ronnie
jumped out over Herlong Airfield. This is the first time ever that
people had to look up to see Ronnie.
Anyone with knowledge of antique engines that
would like to help repair and maintain the 1926 American LaFrance housed
at the museum is asked to call Bobby Dopson at 745-3585.
------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 2009
Enclosed with this newsletter you will find an
Informational Sheet. Please review this form and return it as soon as
possible if you are interested. After several of the recent funerals
this association has been asked to keep a record of this information for
use at the time of a retiree’s death.
This newsletter will now be sent to all of our
members by e-mail for those that have provided us with an e-mail
address. If you wish to have your copy by e-mail please call Linda
Treadwell at the Museum 630-0618.
|
