July 2010

Is it hot enough for ya? Florida weather you gotta love it.

MEMBER REPORT:
Albert Dowling and Clint Norman both have had their back surgeries postponed. Clint is going to rehab for his heart condition. The exercises he doing for his heart seems to be making his back stronger so the doctor is going to wait on the surgery. Albert is still waiting on another MRI before his doctor makes a decision.

Cayden Seng has just finished another round of tests. Karen Love, his grandmother says that the tests show that the tumor has not grown and possibly is dying. Good news.
Cayden has started preschool and his energy levels are getting higher.

Wayne and Linda went to visit Fatz Harden in his hospice room at the Old St. Luke’s on Friday, July 23, 2010. Fatz is not doing well. Retired Fire Chaplain “Pop” Williams went in to visit Fatz as we were leaving.

Levi Starlings wife is still in the nursing home. She is now responding with her eyes some when he talks to her. He spends about 4 hours everyday with her.

EVENTS:
Monthly Retired Firefighter’s Breakfast, Thursday, August 12, 2010. Breakfast will be paid for by R. T. Moore.

Beginning this month we will be profiling a retired firefighter in our newsletter. This month will be Retired Captain John Usry and Retired Lieutenant Richard Miller.

John Usry, 69, born in Lake Butler, Florida. Joined the department in 1969 and retired as Captain from Sta.36 in 2004.

John lives on St. John’s Avenue (Avondale) in one of the historical homes. John loves to do lawn work and he does a lot of it. John manicures his lawn in a way that Better Homes and Gardens would be proud to feature. John is proud to tell and show you his home and handy work. John and wife, Paula have restored their home to pristine showcase condition.

John worked all three of the big petroleum tank fires. John said his most memorable fire was the Colonial Tank Fire on East Adams as a rookie at Sta. 8. John recalls having to wade thru the gasoline and all of the firefighters developing a severe rash from the exposure.

John tells the story that as Captain at Sta. 28 and the Sta. 36 he always done his share of the yard work on Saturdays. Todd Buchannan was his engineer at Sta. 28 and then later was the Lt. on Engine 36. and John was Captain on Squad 36. John says that Todd hated to do yard work and it was up to the CAPTAIN to do the job of TWO people...himself and his Lt. Todd Buchannan.

	John lives at 3420 St. John’s Avenue.  John says we should have called ahead of time so he could get his yard cleaned and mowed!!  Hey John, what size ladder do you use  to trim the trees by your front door.?
	This is John’s collection of fire memorabilia in the space allowed him by Paula.  John stated that his collection will be inherited by his best friend, Todd Buchannan.
	John’s only statement about his beautiful pool was that he wished he could pick it up and put it in someone else’s yard. John did admit he enjoys the depth of  8 ft. with a seat all the way around it for conversation and enjoying a cool one with good friends.

Richard Miller, 78 was born in Jacksonville. He was raised in Grand Crossing and graduated form Andrew Jackson High School. Richard joined the department in May 1962 and retired as a Lieutenant, Rescue 20 in 1997 after 35 years. Richard spent 10 years of his 26 years in Rescue with J.R. Worthington.

Richard’s first assignment was Engine 1A, which later was know as the “troubled shift.” He then was transferred to Engine 13 for 2 months and then on to Engine 17 for 4 years. Richard said that the contract for the Huron Street station was awarded in 1950 at a cost of $22,000.

While at Engine17 Chief Dowling made a phone call on the station phone to say he had heard Richard was interested in transferring into the Rescue Division. As Richard was talking to Chief Dowling, Lt. O’Steen walked through the day room and upon seeing him Richard told Chief Dowling to “figure me in.” Richard left engine 17 and was assigned to Rescue 12 (Station12) with Wayne Doolittle as a riding partner.

Richard was a member of the first ACLS team that won International Competition in 1970 in
Atlantic City, New Jersey. They took first place in the event. This is Richard’s most memorable event during his tenure in Rescue.

The brotherhood and feeling of family is very important to Richard and he enjoys our monthy breakfast and yearly luncheon. Every Thursday you can find Richard and others that meet at Hardee’s on Blanding in Orange Park for breakfast.

Richard was devoted to his wife that passed away earlier this year.

	Richard sharing his scrapbooks and history at the Fire Museum. He has chronicled his life in Rescue with picture, documents and newspaper articles along with many awards and accolades.
	Richard showing Linda Treadwell, Curator, Jacksonville Fire Museum his collection of historical memorabilia.  Richard visits the museum regularly and always has a good story for the Curator.
	Richard is demonstrating the use of a Gamewell Fire Alarm Box.  Back in the days, firemen were required to know the box number and address of all fire alarm boxes in their territory.