June 15 – “GFD Honor guard kudos”

The State Firefighters and Fire Marshalls of Texas memorial service for those who have died over the past year went really well.  Our Galveston Fire Department honor guard presented the colors and did a fabulous job.  Very precise and, well, honorable.  They handled themselves exceptionally well when someone jumped the gun and basically dismissed the crowd before the colors were retired.  The GFD honor guard held their position and stood in place until the crowd cleared, and then retired the colors with just as much precision and respect as if there were hundreds of people in the room.  That was quite impressive.  I was proud to be a part of what they represented.  Nice job Nathan, Chris, John, Will, and Patrick. 

Chris and I went to the lunch afterward and sat with Chief Wisko.  The lunch was a Moody Gardens work of art.  That sometimes means I can’t identify what it is they are serving.  In this case, though, I at least had a name for the food.  Chicken, asparagus and a carrot.  Not “carrots,” as you may expect.  This was one long, cooked carrot.  Never had a cooked one like that before.  Oh, and cheesecake.  Really good cheesecake.  Thank you, SFFMA for the invitation and for being great hosts. 

Of course the talk of the day was the storm in the Gulf.  The most popular convention event - pumper races – as well as some outdoor childrens’ activities, had been canceled the night before because of the threat of severe weather.  Of course the unpredictable Galveston Weather Protection Dome decided to kick in, and the afternoon and evening turned into a beautiful one.  Not such a good result for the guy who had to make the tough call to cancel (He was sitting at our table for lunch).  But the Gulf threat remained, nonetheless.  Some of the folks were ready to pack up right after the service and hit the road.  Others were determined to stick it out no matter what.  The Galveston county folks were more at ease with the situation, however.  Big rain.  Not so much wind.  We can handle that.  (Of course those were our thoughts when Ike was coming as well).  I guess we’ll find out tonight one way or the other.  Unless of course it changes course or decides to sit for a while.  In that case, Waco would be in our future, I suppose. 

Psalms 148:7-12 says, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children.”

Father, thank you for the honor guard that represented Galveston so well yesterday.  Be with the families of the ones who were remembered at the memorial service.  And watch over us all as this storm heads our way.  Amen.