JACKSONVILLE ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS

FEBRUARY 2009

We hope you all stand on good ground after Valentine’s Day.  In other words did you treat your sweetheart right?

MEMBER REPORT:

Bill Knight, Eng. 10 and Eng. 23 (The REAL Bill Knight), passed away on February 2, 2009.  Retiree Duke Denson and Chaplain Percy Golden handled all the arrangements for his Memorial Service.  This Association would like to thank these individuals for a job well done.

Claude W. Cribbs, R-42 died in Covington, Georgia on January 15, 2009.  Notification of his death and funeral were received too late for flowers.  In lieu of flowers a donation was given to his wife.

Retired Chief Gary Keys was released from the hospital on Feb. 13 and is home doing well.

Dale Walters, Eng. 52 is going through another round of treatment for his cancer. 

Thoughts and prayers for these members during this time, as always.

On January 26, 2009 in the sports section of the Florida Times Union is a good article about one of our retirees.  Ted Copeland playing in the Men’s Masters National Invitational Championship.  These seniors are comprised of 24 teams over the age of 75.

Ted is the only Jacksonville Firefighter that inducted into the Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.  He was inducted for basketball and football.  He played ball for Jackson High School and received a scholarship to the University of Florida after Jackson won the State Championship in 1951.  Ted retired from the Prevention Bureau.

Ron Snelling has offered to take over the job of making the nametags.  If you have a problem or need a nametag please call Ron at 737-3771.

Nick Tison, Captain at Rescue 55 is hosting a luncheon for the 40 year reunion of Rescue 3-41-55.  He is asking that all past and current crew members, contact him at 904-708-5352 or ntison@coj.net.  The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at FS 55, 850 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach.  Meet and greet 10:30 am.  Lunch of  Jambalaya served at 12 a.m. 

John Wood has sent letters to those who pay their dues yearly.  Please respond as soon as possible.

Fire Station has given us more information about their 100 year celebration.  It will be held in April.  All past members  that were assigned to Sta. 2 are asked to call the station with your name, years served, and your retirement year.  Call 630-0948 as soon as possible.

There is still time to register for the 27^th Annual Firefighters Fishing Tournament to be held on April 13- 16, 2009 in Suwannee, Florida.  Contact Wayne Doolittle at 904-

228-9795 for a registation form.  You may also contact chairpersons, Wiley Hart at 904-704-8547 or John Wood at 904-282-6391.

A point of interest or information:  Mike Pfister ,of the Orange County Fire Department, and PEP in Jacksonville. Mike had been the breakfast cook crew leader at the Fishing Tournament for many years and the first receipt of the James Carver Award.  Mike was killed on Friday, February 20, 2009 in Deland, Florida.  Mike was on his motorcycle when an apparently drunk driver hit him head on.  Call Wayne Doolittle for funeral arrangements.  Tentative dates are Thursday, February 26 or Friday, February 27 in Deland.

Redknights will meet at, Wild Cards Grill, 1520 Park Avenue, Orange Park on Tuesday, March 12, 2009.  The Redknights are voting on a new dress uniform for parades and other formal events.

Retiree’s monthly breakfast held on the second Thursday of the month.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 12, 2009.

The 4^th Annual Firefighter’s Widow’s Luncheon will be held on Friday, March 20, 2009 at the Firefighter’s Hall on Stockton Street.

Enclosed with this newsletter you will find an Informational Sheet.  Please review this form and return it as soon as possible if you are interest.  After several of the recent

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.

JACKSONVILLE ASSOCIATION

OF RETIRED

 FIREFIGHTERS

JANUARY 2009

The Officers of the Retirees Association hope that all of you had a good and safe holiday.  The New Year is here and we have hopes for good things to happen this year.

MEMBER REPORT:

Deaths:            Charlotte Higginbotham, wife of Sid Higginbotham, Dec. 1, 2008

David R. Fulford, Dec. 15, 2008

                        Retired District Chief Jimmy Dukes, December 10, 2008

                        Jack Dempsey Smith, Jan. 11, 2009

We would like to thank Buddy Harris for his efforts in the memory of Chief Dukes.  Buddy was in attendance at the service as well as his snorkel and giant flag. 

As always, our thoughts and prayers go to the families and wish them peace and comfort.

Retired Chief Gary Keys was admitted to Memorial Hospital for a heart valve replacement.  He is reported to be doing fair and the family has asked that he receive no phone calls until further notice.

T. C. Banks was admitted to Baptist for surgery to replacement of several screws in his back.  T.C. said he would like to hear from people, his number is 239-2005.

Wayne Bramlitt was admitted to Memorial for replacement of his pacemaker. He is now home and doing well.

Walter Taylor is home recuperating from knee replacement and doing well.

 Retired District Chief Phil Eddins had a heart attack at home in December.  Phil was in attendance at the monthly breakfast and was very appreciative of all the attention and

concern.  He is doing well and exactly what the doctor tells him to do.

Lt. Maxie Sirmons is in The Allegro at 3651 US 17 in Orange Park.  Maxie likes to have visitors.

There will be a special memorial service for Oscar Mattox, at 1:00, Sunday, January 25, 2009.  The service will be held at the family home: 6910 Crystal Lake Road, Keystone,

Heights, Florida.  Oscar was a true friend to many firefighters.  When Oscar was a City Councilman he was always very supportive of all firefighters’ issues.  If you were in attendance at the 2006 Annual Luncheon, Oscar was given the honor of HONORARY FIRE CHIEF.

EVENTS :

Redknights Motorcycle Club meet the second Tuesday of every month.  Meetings are being held at the Shoney’s on 103^rd Street at Blanding.  Meetings start at 7:30.  Come be with us.

Monthly Retiree’s breakfast held on the second Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be held on, Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Piccadilly’s, University Blvd. at Beach Blvd.  They start serving breakfast at 8:00.

The Firefighter’s Fishing Tournament will be held on April 13 – 16 2009 in the town of Suwannee.  There will be fresh water as well as saltwater fishing available.  This year co-chairpersons are Wiley Hart and John Wood.  Registration forms will be available at the February breakfast, and all those that are on the tournament’s mailing list will receive a registration form in the mail.  All those interested in renting a RV site, motel room or cabin contact Pat Phillips at Bill’s Fish Camp, 49SE 903^rd Ave, Suwannee, Florida  32692 or call 1-352-542-7086.  Condo’s are also available by calling Sonja Reed at Suwannee Realty, 1-352-542-0704.

4^th Annual Firefighter’s Widow’s Luncheon will be held at Firefighter’s Hall on Friday, March 20, 2009.

REPORTS:

On December 12, 2008 the Retired General City Employees Association held their annual Christmas Party.  Wayne Doolittle and Clifford Browning won cash door prizes.  This is certainly a worthwhile organization and all retiree’s should consider joining.  Dues are $.75 per pay day and can automatically deducted from you check.  For more information call Cathy Looney at 854-0777.  The 2009 Association President is Shiela Sharp Caulkins.