Stench60

You're absolutely right sarge. In time, as the veterans themselves fade and we the priviliged few who were there to either work with these men or to here their stories directly from their mouths pass on, the impact will fade away. Some time in the future D-Day, The Bulge, Wake Island, Bataan, and on and on, will have no more meaning to an American as Monmouth, Lundy's Lane, Chapultepec, The Peninsula, El Caney, Sechault or any of a hundred other battles fought by Americans over the years. They'll become meaningless names and dates to all but a few who refuse to forget, or at best something that is glossed over in a high school "social studies" course while the evils of the United States are expounded upon for great lengths, and while it's uncomfortable to hear, we ourselves are to blame. Until we change the mindset in academia the outcome is inevitable. So, to all the veterans of D-Day and every other veteran of every other battle we have ever fought, as well as those who stood watch in expectation, thank you. To all of you, let " We Remember" be our watchwords.

Fantastic and eye opening course and part 1 is not a prerequisite. I can't urge people enough to take this class.

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York in conjunction with VFIS, Presents The Effective Fire Department Leader – Part 2 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly This 3 hour class is targeted at the civil organization officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Officers. However, topics covered and lessons learned will prove to be useful for all levels of department structure and leadership. Key areas covered are: · Quick overview of Part I (Part I is not a pre-requisite for Part II) · Fire Service Reputation Management · Social Networking & Electronic Media · Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination & Violence · Misuse of Department Facilities & Resources · Unlawful or Wrongful Termination Hosted by: The Westchester County Volunteer Firemen’s Association And Port Chester Fire Department Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012 Course Location: Port Chester Senior High School Auditorium 1 Tamarack Road Port Chester, NY Registration opens at 6:30 pm and the class begins at 7:00 pm Pre-Registration Fee: $20 for FASNY members* Pre-registrationcutoff is May 3, 2012 $30 for non-FASNY members* Walk-In Fee: $30 regardless of membershipstatus (If space isavailable) *No-shows arenon-refundable and cancellations are non-refundable unless received fivebusiness days prior to the seminar.*Seating is limited to 100attendees* To register, contact the FASNY office at 1-800- 232-7692, or to register online, or download a registration form, go to www.fasny.com and follow the Training & Education link.

Barry is absolutely right about the GWB, the bridge was designed for rail service as well as car/truck traffic. In the long run the structure for the rail component was used to build the lower roadway. Unfortunately, whether it be a new TZB with mass transit, the demise of a great deal of our local mass transit system ( The Put. Division, the NY, W & B., local trolley lines etc.) or the proposal to place a second level on I-95; we, collectively, have always managed to be very shortsighted in the areas of mass transit and urban planning. This is what happens when we fail to heed the lessons of Jane Jacobs and allow the apostles of Robert Moses to blindly follow his vision which leads us down the garden path of greater congestion and greater urban sprawl.

Could we have it back.........Pleeeeeaaaaassseeee? There's always a dollar and a dream. On a lighter note, I heard many a story about "The Seagrave" from the older guys when I was younger.

Sometimes we forget that they were also the war years for the finest as well. May 21 1971 Ptl. Joseph Piagentini 8788 32nd Shot Assassination May 21 1971 Ptl. Waverly Jones 4381 32nd Shot Assassination Patrolmen Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones were shot and killed in the 32nd Precinct when they were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army. Read more: http://www.odmp.org Lest we forget

Incorrect Ang, Title VI ss. 3 of the village charter specifically states that the trustees are the Wardens, and may appoint additional wardens and assign duties as they see fit. They have done this in the distant past but I have never been able to nail down what their specific duties were.

This technology has been around for years, I remember using them for damage control training except they were called perrijet eductors. At the time this was WWII era equipment, so it's nothing new. That being said, as someone who doesn't really have to worry about drafting on a regular basis (Kudos to those who do, believe me I know I'm spoiled having hydrants) it never occured to me at least the possibilities for use by the fire service. On a side note, several years ago a facility I managed that had no generator and a major ground water problem lost power for a long period of time and flooded the boiler room. The price for a generator at the time was $16k+, or as I found out, $450 for the purchase and installation of a sump pump sized unit that worked off a 1/2" feed from the domestic water. A great idea for homeowners with a ground water/ flooding problem and a concern about losing power. You may see a slightly higher water bill when it's in use, but it's a lot better than a destroyed cellar.

"The line between Westchester (NYS) & Conn was established by the King of England. Vista, being in Westchester never "used to be in CT". " Actually Barry until 1700 The Towns of Rye (Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye Neck, and all of Modern Harrison) and Bedford were Towns in the County of Fairfeild CT. Modern day Harrison was stripped from Rye and the "purchase" of Mr. Harrison, a man conected to the royal governor, was a way of repaying the "rebellious" efforts of the people of Rye to remain in Connecticut including their appeal to William III.

Re photo: Watch the skies! For you younger members this is a classic movie reference ( also one of my all time favorites)

I know what the secret weapon is......

I believe Ray Rush would have disagreed with that observation. It has never been apolitical, we were just ignorned for a long time. As quite a few of my fellow former fire advisory board members can tell you.

In regards to the Scarsdale project, was the architect smoking in the shower? Why in the world would you put two tudor revival additions on a colonial revival building? I understand that downtown Scarsdale is tudor revival, but you'd think that they would have attempted to have the new additions blend seamlessly with the original building. Other than that, congratulations and good luck to the two departments on the upgrades.

Thanks Ang, To answer your question, the Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. was one of several organizations (Veteran Fireman’s, Exempt Fireman's etc.) made up of former members of the original (pre 1866) Fire Department of the City of New York (solely NY County at that time) who after the establishment of the Metropolitan Fire Department organized themselves into these groups to maintain their social and fraternal ties. This not only included dinners, outings, parades and the like, but also the good and welfare of their old time comrades. This originally bore fruit in the first firmens home located on Staten Island, which was exclusively for former members of NYC. Eventually it was realized that a statewide home was preferable to one strictly for NYC and FASNY took on the responsibility of establishing and operating a home for indigent volunteer firemen from around the state. Harry Howard (Chief Engineer 1857-1860) aside from being the "Beau Ideal" of the mid-19th century fire service was also a lifelong advocate for the fire service in the State of New York. At the time of FASNY taking on the building of the home in Hudson, Harry Howard donated what for that time was a huge amount of money from his life savings for its construction. Everyone was so appreciative of his donation that to this day the home sits on Harry Howard Ave. in the City of Hudson.

RIP Corporal Buckles, Thank you for your service

Ang, Don't think this is the county convention. Might be heading up the hill ( Elks is on the right) for the Columbus day parade or judging by the white shoes on one lady it might be Memorial Day. Put's American LaFrance is followed by Reliance's 1958 Ward LaFrance( I still miss it )and just behind that is Mellor's Ahrens-Fox. To give credit where it's due, these recent color photos that Ang has posted were taken by Pete Messina's wifes uncle who passed away last year. While they knew he was a photography hobbyist they didn't know he had taken fire photos until they started to go through the mountain of slides. They're beautiful pictures to see, especially when you can pick out rigs you rode or drove, or even better, people and places that you knew so well.

For a fantastic take on the consequences of the current direction we're heading in, please read this article. My link

"Sea-Fever" I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. By John Masefield (1878-1967). (English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.) Thought it fitting...... R.I.P. Captian Phil

I have hesitated to reply to bvfdjc316's post for several days to allow my unmitigated fury to subside. Unfortunately, it has not susided. Let me begin by saying that I most disrespectfully disagree with you. In all honesty, I find your post beneath contempt. To suggest that the majority of this nations youth would flee their nations call is utterly absurd. Do not presume to speak for the great majority that would answer the call to the colors. You speak as if your entire generation would rise up as one and take flight to some nation that had the enlightenment to settle conflicts without resort to arms, well I certainly invite to do so yourself and see if others follow. Perhaps you can book a trip with Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore the next time they threaten to flee to Canada because we the people had the temerity to elect someone not to their liking. But then again, a nation so unwilling to defend itself would a very short life left anyway. If unfortunately what you say is true, I weep for our future, but I don't believe for a moment that we have become so craven as a nation. As to state run military slavery, well what can I say, the service in the defense of ones nation is the furthest thing possible from slavery,it is an honor, after all who would allow their slaves to bear loaded weapons? I believe the Romans tried this little experiment, when you finish fishing the internet for quotes try Livy or Plutarch and look into a fellow named Spartacus (looked just like Michael Douglas's father) and the servile revolts. The draft is the fairest, most equitable way to spread the duty amongst all the citizens of the nation. Are you implying that certain groups should be above service to the nation? After all, why should my junior serve in the nasty military for a few years when he can teach the poverty stricken for 6 months. You want to make it equitable, you serve in the military for two years or you build roads for ten at a privates pay. That's equitable! I'm still trying to figure out the disenfranchisment that you mention, since when do military personell lose their right to vote? Needless to say, I'm a great supporter of compulsory military service for all, It's a long term fix to a short term problem. After all, it seems to work very well for the Swiss and the Israeli's. To every veteran who has ever served, draftee or enlistee and gave me the rights and privileges that I enjoy as an american citizen........... Thank You! and Semper Fi

" The Nazis never made war on American soil. " Actually they did. They were then taken before a military tribunal, tried according to the laws of war, sentenced and executed; with the two saboteurs who had turned themselves in receiving lengthy terms at Ft. Leavenworth. This was perfectly in keeping with our legal system. The fact is these individuals are in no way shape or form " criminals ", they have committed acts of war on the people of the United States,while all the while taking safety in their ability to blend into the general population by never openly declaring themselves combatants or wearing any article of uniform to openly display their combatant status. As such, the United States would be perfectly within it's rights to immediately execute anyone found under arms in such an illegal state. To equate these individuals constitutionally with someone who knocked over the corner liquor store is asinine to say the least. The military tribunal system was established by congress, authorized by the President and found to be perfectly legal by the supreme court. If the rest of the world finds fault with it, so be it. Our constitution is not a suicide pact! Supreme court justices from Robert Jackson back knew this to be true. It was only with the accension of Earl Warren and the rise of the liberal courts of the 60's to the present that anyone saw it differently. Jefferson himself said that national survival superseded the constitution. The present administration knows that these individuals have innumerable grounds for appeal if and when convicted. For gods sake the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder, was involved in numerous organisations that worked for the release of all the Guantanamo detainees. This alone begs the question of why he did not recuse himself from this matter. Additionally, there is absolutely no possibility that this was not done without the direct knowledge and authorisation of the President. To honestly believe that these people will respect us for " rule of law" is the height of ignorance. For 20 years this country dealt with this as a criminal matter, where did it get us? 9/11.... They respect blunt, brutal force. They will mock and bite the hand that feeds them, they will respect a clenched fist.

Very simple actually, the buildings are no longer worth the mortgages written on them. Building owners with outstanding debt and no built up rainy day funds to satisfy those loans at that point have negative equity. It is easier for the corporation to declare bankruptcy and walk away from the loan and property than to try to secure financing for a mortgage on an overvalued building. This leaves the mortgator with an unpaid loan and a building that they vastly over valued. I'm sure those who are old enough can remember the last time this happened.

We've only seen the beginning of the fiscal disaster that we are destined for.... Just as the bottom fell out of the residential real estate market last year, it's now the turn of the commercial real estate market to go through the floor and that along with the current administrations propensity for printing money will make the last couple of years look like a walk in the park.

Tootie and Muldoon are out looking for the Burglar of Banffffffff....

Sorry to break everybody's heart, but Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built, was destroyed in 1974-75 and replaced by a corporate cookie cutter stadium slapped onto the remnants of a once grand edifice with a few touches of Disneyland thrown in to boot. You can celebrate Thurman and Reggie, Bernie and Derek but the field where the Mick, the Clipper, the Babe and the Iron Horse played was bulldozed away a long time ago. I can't wait to see them play in the new stadium, and I relish every moment I spent in the house that Lindsay built, but my fondest memories are of my earliest games in the real House that Ruth Built. My very first game, a doubleheader against the Tigers on a beautiful July day sitting in the upper deck and my father holding me up to see over the grown-ups in front when they stood, and also getting whooped by my brother and cousins because I was too tired and too young to stay for more than the first inning of the second game ( Got it again the next summer for forcing the whole bunch to see a re-release of Lassie Come Home at the movies instead of Dirty Harry). Or my first bat day, walking in out of a rainstorm in to the stadium and receiving a full size bat and finding out it was mine to keep...... no you can't replace those memories. But let's hope that the new stadium gives them as much luck as the old, and charms many more little guys into a lifetime love of the greatest team in the world.

Your 1936 Seagrave? Good luck to all my friends at Cataract with this beautiful rig. I look forward to seeing it on Saturday.