On Friday January 9th, 2009 a ladder truck in Boston lost control due to faulty brakes on a steep hill and crashed into a high rise building killing Lt. Kevin Kelly of the Boston Fire Dept. 

When I read this tragic accident it brought back vivid memories of our tragic accident in March 2007 when our George Copeland was paralyzed and three other of our colleagues were seriously injured.  This event vividly pointed out the challenges our firefighters face every day as they serve to protect our lives and property.

The service firefighters provide is so often taken for granted and it takes a tragic event such as this to once again remind us of the awesome responsibilities all firefighters embrace as they serve our community.  An event such as this also reminds us of the sacred bond that all firefighters share in this special family of public servants.

As we remember Lt. Kelly we also give thanks for his courage and dedication to the people of Boston.  We also pray for his family and for his Boston firefighter colleagues who mourn his tragic death. While most of our days at the fire hall are uneventful, it only takes one tragic event to remind us once again of the commitment our firefighters make to serve and protect our communities. 

May God bless and protect all our firefighters and their families. 

Fr. Mike

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NINE DAYS TO REMEMBER

On Friday June 20th we learned of the sudden death of retired firefighter Bob DeRush affectionately known as “ Rotten  Ralph.”  Rotten Ralph was one of those unsung heroes of Windsor Fire and Rescue Service who dedicated himself totally and unconditionally to his profession as a firefighter.  The large turnout of firefighters and retirees at his funeral service was a testimony to his revered status to our community.  The stories told during the days between his death and funeral reminded us of how unique and special are the personal qualities that a firefighter brings to his profession.  We may have shed a tear or two as we mourned our esteemed colleague, but as we shared the special stories of his life and career we were more apt to laugh heartedly because only a firefighter could create such special memories.  We will continue to tell those stories as they are part of the history of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. 

On Sunday June 29th we celebrated a most memorable event. In four days thousands of volunteers from across our country and from the U.S.A. joined together to build a home for our esteemed colleague George Copeland and his family.  This was the day when George and his family would see their new home for the first time.  Since the day of his tragic accident in March 2007, George has been a beacon of hope to this entire community.  Facing unbelievable obstacles, our brother George has never sat back, but always said “Yes I can.”  With the help and support of so many in our community and beyond, George  has been an example of courage and determination for all of us.  Even in his darkest days, George never looked back, but always focused his attention on what could be, and he has succeeded.  When I think of George and his courageous determination, I am reminded of a reflection that Edward (Ted) Kennedy presented at the funeral of his assassinated brother Bobby in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Edward Kennedy said “Some men see things that never were and ask why, my brother saw things that never were and said WHY NOT.”  I believe that little quote describes our brother George.

Sometimes in the course of our lives we all take things for granted.  May the stories of out two special colleagues inspire us to cast out into the deep of the unknown and untried and say also WHY NOT. 

- Padre Mike Graham

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN COLLEAGUES

Every year during the month of October we commemorate Fire Prevention Week. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness within our community of the service to the community that firefighters provide to protect the lives and property of our citizens. It is also a time when we pause to remember our brothers who have given their lives in the line of duty and to honour them and give thanks to God for their unselfish service to our community.

This year the Annual Memorial Service will be held at Maranatha Christian Academy – 939 Northwood – Windsor. This is the site of Chaplain Aaron Rock’s Southwood Community Church. The Service will begin at 10:30 AM. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend due to my commitment here at the Parish at the Atonement. However I will remember you especially on that day.

Let us take time to remember and honour our fallen brothers:

• Captain William Brindle – January 25th , 1901 – age 38
• Lieutenant George Phillips – January 25th, 1901 – age 28
• Firefighter Robert Thurlow – June 30th, 1913 – age 28
• Firefighter Louis Deschamps – June 16, 1927 – age 38
• Firefighter David Pillon – February 1st, 1931 – age 43
• Captain John Wilson – February 18th, 1955 – age 64
• Firefighter Gilbert Dupuis – February 16th, 1962 – age 49
• Firefighter Leonard Bondy – February 27th, 1972 – age 33
• District Chief Malcolm Vannon – November 21st, 1989
• Captain Raymond Seguin – January 2nd, 2001 – age 53
• Captain James Crowley – November 3rd, 2001 – age 51
• Lieutenant Robert Durocher – November 7th, 2001 – age 63
• Lieutenant John Douglas Patterson, March 2nd, 2006 – age 67
• Captain Randy Meyer – February 26th, 2007 – age 56

May our fallen colleagues rest in peace in the house of the Father and may we always honour their memory.

Peace and best wishes,

 

Fr. Mike - Padre

TWENTY-TWO YEARS AND COUNTING!

In October 2007, I will mark 22 years as Padre of the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. Little did I know on that October Sunday 22 years ago how my life would change by "coming on board" as our good friend Padre Walt Godden said to me when I had lunch with him while deciding if I should accept the invitation. After I got over the initial jitters and began visiting the fire halls and meeting everyone from the front office to the local stations, I found a deep sense of pride in having been invited to assume this ministry.

The job description was very fluid. I remember Walt telling me that when you arrive on a fire scene, take a good look around and get a sense of what is happening and see where you can offer assistance and support. I learned by doing and I will never forget the many fire scenes that I attended over the years.

I will never forget the calls in the wee hours of the morning when everything was pitch black and seeing the flashing lights in the distance when approaching the fire scene. There was a sense of excitement approaching the scene and seeing all the activity that was happening. There was also a feeling of discomfort not knowing what would be found.

I will always remember asking the Incident Commander what I could do to be helpful. Many times I visited families who had been lost their homes due to fire damage, and perhaps had a loved pet perish in the fire. I would try to comfort them and reassure them that the firefighters would do everything possible to limit the damage. In the early days I would oftentimes make calls and transport families to a local motel for overnight accommodations.

There were several occasions when there were fatalities in the fire and that was always difficult especially when children were the victims. Being with the firefighters at those scenes was always memorable especially when I realized that we were all here together as colleagues doing our best to bring some order out of chaos.

I will always remember going for coffee and donuts so that the firefighters could have some refreshment at long and difficult fire scenes. The highlight of my career as your Padre came in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001. I was privileged to make two trips to New York to take part in honouring the FDNY.

Having been born and raised in the Bronx, New York, this was in some way a homecoming for me. On the first visit I was honoured to visit several firehouses where colleagues lost their lives and had the opportunity to speak with several firefighters who were at Ground Zero on that fateful day.

I also was priviledged to ride in Engine 7 which was at the World Trade Center that day and lost several of their crew. In October 2002, I was able to attend the Official Memorial for the 343 New York Firefighters who died in the World Trade Center attack in Madison Square Garden.

That event was perhaps the most memorable event I have attended in my 22 years as Padre.

Being with over 80,000 firefighters from around the world at that event was a memory I will never forget. Unfortunately since the fall of 2003 my health has prevented me from being as active with you as I would like.

This past year has been a very good one for me personally and despite my arthritis in my knees and back I am able to get around much more with my cane and my four wheel drive walker. It was a lot of fun being at the recent combat challenge and I look forward to being at the John Smith Memorial Run on Labor Day.

For the past two years my colleague Aaron Rock has been serving also as Padre and I know he has enjoyed his time with us. This year he will be hosting the Annual Memorial in October so watch for information regarding this event.

I am especially grateful for everyone who has supported and encouraged me these past years especially those who have provided rides to Dr.'s appointments when I was unable to drive or needed a lift.

This November I will turn 65 but I hope I will be able to continue in ministry as I have no intention of retiring. Peace to everyone and many thanks for a most memorable twenty-two years and counting.

Peace and best wishes to everyone.

Fr. Mike

 

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For the past seventeen years I have been privileged to serve as the Padre of the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. These years have been filled with many special treasured memories. Being part of the family of firefighters is difficult to put into words because being family is oftentimes difficult to describe. Most of all I treasure the experience of belonging and being welcomed into this special family. Having a home with our firefighters has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

We have shared together many memorable moments together, some have been difficult, some have been tragic, many have been very humorous, but together we have walked the mystery of life's journey knowing that somehow we are living together the mystery of God's life within us. We have been given a sacred trust to protect the lives and property of the people of our community and our firefighters are always on the front line to respond professionally and with great compassion.

As Padre, I have been privileged to walk with our firefighters sharing the mystery of God's life unfolding within us, not always understanding the mystery but always knowing that God's work is truly our own.

Best wishes to everyone and many treasured memories. Hopefully this will be the first of a regular column for the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services web-site. If anyone would like to contact me personally they may at 969-6400 or e-mail at mgraham@rcec.london.on.ca.

Tragedies that touch our heart - February 24, 2003

The recent tragic fire at The Station night club in West Warwick, Rhode Island that resulted in at least 97 deaths reminds us of the frailness of our humanity and how our lives can change so quickly. I was reading this morning an article in the Boston Herald about the Chaplain of the Kingston, Rhode Island Fire Dept. Richard Monroe who was on the scene of the tragedy and came face to face with the devastation and loss of life that touched so many. I was reminded of another Chaplain Fr. Mycal Judge of the New York Fire Dept. who courageously gave his life in ministering to the firefighters at the World Trade Center in New York on September 11th. In the face of these tragedies Chaplain Monroe recalled the words of the song, "Be with me Lord when I am in trouble, be with me Lord, I pray."

Chaplain Monroe, a Vietnam Veteran, recalled his day at Ground Zero which he described as Holy Ground. Every scene of human tragedy is "Holy Ground." When faced with such devastation and human brokenness we are reminded that when faced with the tragic loss of life that every victim, in Chaplain Monroe's words, is "God's son or daughter, my brother or sister. I am right where God wanted me to be, serving those who serve."

On the night of the tragic fire a young firefighter stood next to the Chaplain as the body of each victim was removed from the site and each body was reverently blessed. The young firefighter said: "Chaplain, no one should have to see this." The Chaplain replied: "You're right, but we're here and it's our job to do this." Reading this story gave me goose bumps and sent a chill through me, but it helped me to remember how really fragile we are and how our lives can change sometimes at the speed of light. It reminded me of the awesome responsibility we all have to take care of one another each day, never take one another for granted, put our petty differences aside and always be ready to affirm and bring forth the best in each other.

Every person who touches our lives each day, whether a colleague on the job, a spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend, those we encounter in the fulfillment of our responsibilities as firefighters, are all sons and daughters of God and they look to us to affirm that dignity in all that we say and do. May God give us the courage to be instruments of peace and hope as we serve the people of our community.

Remembering Columbia - February 1, 2003

This weekend we were all stunned by the tragedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the loss of their gallant crew. These men and women who dream dreams that never were, and say: “why not?” are the fabric that enable us to reach the stars, conscious of the risks but willing to walk tall and proud.

To their families, loved ones and colleagues we extend our sincere condolences and pray that they will always remember these brave men and women with pride and honour. Reflecting on this tragedy has reminded me that each of us is called upon every day to reach beyond the limits we so often impose upon ourselves.