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 12^th 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 27^th 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 6^th and 7^th  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.