Love this song!
Feb 5, 2012
Feb 1, 2012
Catching Up. . . . . . .
Haven't really been blogging at all lately.. A few post here and there, just trying to figure life out at 42 and where I'm headed! Can't really complain about much. Still have my days that I miss my grandmother. Saw a posting on Facebook the other day and I Re-Posted it.... It said - Wants to go back to the time where Me Ma's (My Grandmother) band-aids and ice cream could fix anything. Missing her A LOT these days! ~ ~ Really wish I could pick up a phone and just talk to her one more time. I've been trying to make it to church more often. My parents became members of a local church in my hometown. On the weekends I'm off I try to make it. Sometimes I just cant roll myself out of bed in time to make it. I do plan on going this weekend.
No SUPERBOWL plans yet... Not really sure if I want to do anything. May just sit at home at watch for the commercials. WooHoo! We will see what happens...
I finally got fit tested so I can get back to being a Volunteer again. Just trying to find the time to spend at the H.V.F.D. Looking forward to running some calls back in the old stomping grounds. It's been awhile since I've actually ridden there. The annual banquet is coming up real soon, That's always a good time. Looking forward to having a night I cant let loose and have a few drinks. Don't have to worry about driving home. We're all getting rooms! ;-)
Work has been going great. With everyone under one roof since Walter Reed closed it isn't that bad. We have a few people that complain but that is in any firehouse. I ran for Union President and lost by only a few votes. Kinda glad I didn't win because the president we have now is doing a remarkable job... I could have never did it. Just had my 23rd Anniversary on the JOB on the 23rd of January. 2 more years and I'm eligible to retire... I'm not going anywhere yet. I'm having way too much fun!
Checking out the Apparatus first thing in the morning and had to grab a Picture...
So the Captain takes the seats out of the utility truck to install some lights and I could resist the opportunity to sit down and play on Facebook.
New Tattoo on my Left Arm...
:-)
So until next post..... Adios and Vaya Con Dios
No SUPERBOWL plans yet... Not really sure if I want to do anything. May just sit at home at watch for the commercials. WooHoo! We will see what happens...
I finally got fit tested so I can get back to being a Volunteer again. Just trying to find the time to spend at the H.V.F.D. Looking forward to running some calls back in the old stomping grounds. It's been awhile since I've actually ridden there. The annual banquet is coming up real soon, That's always a good time. Looking forward to having a night I cant let loose and have a few drinks. Don't have to worry about driving home. We're all getting rooms! ;-)
Work has been going great. With everyone under one roof since Walter Reed closed it isn't that bad. We have a few people that complain but that is in any firehouse. I ran for Union President and lost by only a few votes. Kinda glad I didn't win because the president we have now is doing a remarkable job... I could have never did it. Just had my 23rd Anniversary on the JOB on the 23rd of January. 2 more years and I'm eligible to retire... I'm not going anywhere yet. I'm having way too much fun!
So until next post..... Adios and Vaya Con Dios
Jan 27, 2012
Dec 24, 2011
A Firefighter Meets God
The firefighter stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass. “Step forward now, you firefighter, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my commandments have you been true?”
The firefighter squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, Because those of us who fight fire can’t always be a saint. I’ve had to work on Sunday’s, and at times my talk was tough. Sometimes I’ve been violent, because the streets are awfully rough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep… Though I had to work a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears. If you’ve a place here for me, Lord, it needn’t be so grand, I’ve never expected or had too much, and I will understand.” There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod, As the firefighter waited quietly, for the judgement of his God.
“Step forward now you firefighter, you’ve borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.” -Author Unknown
The firefighter squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, Because those of us who fight fire can’t always be a saint. I’ve had to work on Sunday’s, and at times my talk was tough. Sometimes I’ve been violent, because the streets are awfully rough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep… Though I had to work a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears. If you’ve a place here for me, Lord, it needn’t be so grand, I’ve never expected or had too much, and I will understand.” There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod, As the firefighter waited quietly, for the judgement of his God.
“Step forward now you firefighter, you’ve borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.” -Author Unknown
Oct 30, 2011
Oct 21, 2011
Fall in love with me!!
My favorite line in this entire song is..... I don't want to settle for good not great. I miss the way that it felt back then, I wanna feel that way again
Oct 11, 2011
What do I Make ?
So you're a firefighter? I wanted to do that when I was a kid. "What do you make?"
What do I make? I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when I am cutting you out of your car. I can make 5 minutes feel like a lifetime when I go into a burning house to save your family. I make those annoying sirens sound like angels singing when you need them. I make your wife's head turn when I walk by in uniform. I make your children breathe after they have stopped. I can make you survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 3am to go risk my life for people I have never met, and have never asked for thanks. I make a difference.
What do you make ? ? ? ?
What do I make? I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when I am cutting you out of your car. I can make 5 minutes feel like a lifetime when I go into a burning house to save your family. I make those annoying sirens sound like angels singing when you need them. I make your wife's head turn when I walk by in uniform. I make your children breathe after they have stopped. I can make you survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 3am to go risk my life for people I have never met, and have never asked for thanks. I make a difference.
What do you make ? ? ? ?
Oct 7, 2011
Its been awhile......
Where do I even start?
Work:
Well it is now official. Walter Reed Hospital is closed. Spent 22 wonderful years as a firefighter there and going to miss that place! All the patents have been moved over to Bethesda Naval which is now carrying the name - Walter Reed National Medical Center - (It will never be Walter Reed)
Forest Glen (The Walter Reed Annex) is still open and falls under Ft. Detrick now. That's where we're all working now. 2 Engine's, Ambulance & The Haz-Mat Unit.. No more Tower... Long Story and I don't even want to get into that!
The Old Hospital - Bldg. 1
Don't know the date of this picture.. Love it Though!!
Ceremony at Walter Reed Lowering the LAST American Flag flown on Post. September 15th 2011
Truck 50 & Tower 54
My Dad & I at Engine 13 - Truck 10 DCFD. Dad did 20+ years there. Went down with him to visit!! :)
Well other things are going ok. Enjoying life and spending time out and about. Looking forward to Fall. Plan on getting tons of Pictures this year. Stay Tuned for more Updates... I think I'm going to start Blogging again.
Work:
Well it is now official. Walter Reed Hospital is closed. Spent 22 wonderful years as a firefighter there and going to miss that place! All the patents have been moved over to Bethesda Naval which is now carrying the name - Walter Reed National Medical Center - (It will never be Walter Reed)
Forest Glen (The Walter Reed Annex) is still open and falls under Ft. Detrick now. That's where we're all working now. 2 Engine's, Ambulance & The Haz-Mat Unit.. No more Tower... Long Story and I don't even want to get into that!
Well other things are going ok. Enjoying life and spending time out and about. Looking forward to Fall. Plan on getting tons of Pictures this year. Stay Tuned for more Updates... I think I'm going to start Blogging again.
Mar 30, 2010
Remembering Mike!
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike for 21 years. We met in 1989, when I was hired at Walter Reed. Mike took me under his wing, showed me the ropes and I learned so much from him. I am thankful to have had such a great person to mentor me during my career.
I look back over the last 21 years and there are so many memories…
The first time Mike sent me to the grocery store, the only thing he had written on the list was, and I quote “2 pieces of cheese and 2 pieces of ham.” These items were exactly enough to make his sandwiches for that meal. It was on trips like these that I would grab some extra so he and I could eat together. Granted these grocery trips were only required when we weren’t indulging at the Roy Rogers that used to be nearby. On Friday nights, Mike and I would go to the NCO club on post to perform safety inspections and ensure that the fire doors were not locked. We always took the time to grab a bite to eat, drink a few sodas, sit back, relax and listen to some music. It is when I remember moments like these that I can’t help but smile.
When Mike made Captain I knew right away that I wanted to be part of his crew. I worked with Mike both at the main station and at Forest Glen. Our crew was the first to complete a shift in our new station at Forest Glen. That first shift was bittersweet… It was nice to have something new but at the same time it was hard to leave the old station. That crew consisted of Hawse, Pope, Shrub, Elkins, Mike & I…. We were and will FOREVER be known as The Outlaws!
Work was important to Mike but his family was as well. Mike would always update me and let me know how his daughter, Angela was doing in tennis and where the next tournament would be. Mike always tried to make sure he could be there; I know it meant a lot to him.
Mike was a great mentor & Captain but most of all a great person. He will surely be missed by his fellow brothers and sisters in the Fire Department. I want thank Mike’s family for sharing one of the most wonderful people in the world with us!
I look back over the last 21 years and there are so many memories…
The first time Mike sent me to the grocery store, the only thing he had written on the list was, and I quote “2 pieces of cheese and 2 pieces of ham.” These items were exactly enough to make his sandwiches for that meal. It was on trips like these that I would grab some extra so he and I could eat together. Granted these grocery trips were only required when we weren’t indulging at the Roy Rogers that used to be nearby. On Friday nights, Mike and I would go to the NCO club on post to perform safety inspections and ensure that the fire doors were not locked. We always took the time to grab a bite to eat, drink a few sodas, sit back, relax and listen to some music. It is when I remember moments like these that I can’t help but smile.
When Mike made Captain I knew right away that I wanted to be part of his crew. I worked with Mike both at the main station and at Forest Glen. Our crew was the first to complete a shift in our new station at Forest Glen. That first shift was bittersweet… It was nice to have something new but at the same time it was hard to leave the old station. That crew consisted of Hawse, Pope, Shrub, Elkins, Mike & I…. We were and will FOREVER be known as The Outlaws!
Work was important to Mike but his family was as well. Mike would always update me and let me know how his daughter, Angela was doing in tennis and where the next tournament would be. Mike always tried to make sure he could be there; I know it meant a lot to him.
Mike was a great mentor & Captain but most of all a great person. He will surely be missed by his fellow brothers and sisters in the Fire Department. I want thank Mike’s family for sharing one of the most wonderful people in the world with us!
Mar 25, 2010
Never Forget!
It is with deep regret and sadness that I must inform you all the Passing of Captain Michael Pittinger.
Mike was my Captain at Walter Reed for many years and had been battling cancer since June of 2009. In those 20 years I worked with Mike a friendship was built and today I feel as if Ive lost an older brother. The pain in my heart is undescribable but I know he is not suffering anymore and is with our savior Jesus Christ.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers in this trying time.
God Speed Mike!
Mike was my Captain at Walter Reed for many years and had been battling cancer since June of 2009. In those 20 years I worked with Mike a friendship was built and today I feel as if Ive lost an older brother. The pain in my heart is undescribable but I know he is not suffering anymore and is with our savior Jesus Christ.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers in this trying time.
God Speed Mike!
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