When Duty Calls; And Family Answers

        There are times in life when one must perform a duty that he or she signed up for.  Not knowing fully what may be encountered, seen, heard, felt, or even what you may have to do to someone else.  It’s well known by those whom know me, what I’ve done for almost all of my adult life.  Being an EMT/Fireman, regardless of paid or volunteer; the job is still the same.  You never know what you may walk into, or see.  While it’s hard to compare the military with Fire/EMS/Police, there are similar stresses.  I won’t get into them, that’s a whole different article on its own.  When it’s just you, and it’s a passion you have chosen for yourself it does become easy to not share those mix of emotions with other people.  For some people, no matter how you explain it, they just will never understand.  That’s fine and apart of life.  We don’t ask people to understand Emergency Services, but deep down we all want respect.  Some won’t say it, but it’s there.  There is also bond and respect that is gained through training.  The amount of training for one to be efficient at what he or she does is unparalleled to most other jobs.  Someone like myself that isn’t in the Military to comment on training, does it no justice.

For one to go into a war zone, and pick up a rifle and ride with brothers into a situation where you know people are going to try and take your life, that’s a different ball game then going into a fire, or doing CPR, or chasing down a murder suspect. The bonds that are grown are immense. The constant fears, the battles just to sleep, find peace in urinating or having a bowel movement, or even trying to just talk to people take over.  There are things you will never forget. The sounds of people screaming, crying, explosions, gun fire, the smells of death, burning objects.  These are things that never leave your brain.  Those are comparable with Emergency Services.  You can ask anyone if they remember their first fatal accident, and hearing a mother being told their child is no longer with us, or going to a funeral for a fallen brother and the looks of dismay on their family’s faces.  All of these and many, many more are things no one ever forgets.

The toll it takes on our families is something that many can relate too.  This is probably the most regretful part of any “Servicemen” job.  No one wishes for our families to endure the mental stress they go through, or the anguish of not seeing them for a prolonged period of time.  Regardless, if it’s the stress of a wife listening to a scanner, knowing her husband is actively in a house fire, or their spouse, son, or sibling overseas fighting a war; Support is mostly all they will ask for.

We don’t ask why, or how come.  It’s a calling for some, and a blessing for those lives touched by those warriors.  My brother has served two tours in Iraq.  Today he left for Afghanistan.  It was bitter sweet for me.  I know he can’t perform his duties he was trained for, unless he is in a war zone.  These are proud moments, knowing that a skilled person like himself will be protecting my rights to write this article, or say things in a free manor.  This country was built on such values. There are things we have talked about, that I won’t share with anyone and vice versa with him from my experiences.  I’m proud to say he is serving this country and proud for anyone whose life has touched, and will continue to touch.

Flyers acquire Luke Schenn for James van Riemsdyk

Yesterday it was announced that the Philadelphia Flyers traded James van Reimsdyk for up and coming star, Luke Schenn.  He is also the older brother of Flyers Center, Brayden Schenn.  Luke stated that, “It was a dream come true.” to play along side of his brother.  On a personal level, I feel this is a great trade by the Flyers. Luke Schenn has a ton of potential. He got some heat last year because people said he was being lazy and not giving 100%, but I think there maybe was an injury or he was trying to force a hand for him to be dealt. I’m sure playing with his brother will be a huge boost for him. I think JVR hasn’t proven the ability to stay healthy, but he can dominate when he is healthy, look at the playoffs two years ago. JVR and Giroux took it over. I feel the Flyers need to land one more defenseman, and figure out the back up goalie spot and we are set to make a serious run this year. Holmgren said yesterday that Michael Leighton could be a possibility as a back up. I hope not though, but we’ll see July 1st.

Should Flyers Make Bold Move For Future?

With all the recent call ups for the Flyers at the Dman spot, why not put yourself in a position for the future?  Isn’t that what we were all told when the Flyers traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter?  The Flyers wanted to get faster, and younger?  The oldest area of the Flyers is the blue line. The question I am raising, is if the Flyers should prepare to move some of the older pieces like Kimmo Timonen or Chris Pronger?  Chris Pronger is out once again with a knee issue, and I will not even bother getting into the handful of surgeries he has endured over the last two years.

The Flyers have been also trying to fill the gaps with Matt Walker, veteran player in his own right, along with a few rookies from the AHL.  This is something that could be long term if Chris Pronger can’t get healthy again.  If Chris Pronger is going to continue to have a large amount of health problems, why not attempt to move him?  Personally, I know this will never happen, but why not toy with the idea?  I would not deal Timonen, but I would move Pronger in a heartbeat.  I also would call a team like Nashville whom has also reportedly had interest in winger Scott Hartnell.  A player like Shea Weber whom is in the last year(s) of his contract would be a great addition for the Flyers. He has a lot more youth on his side then Pronger at 26 years old.  He is a pure shut down blue liner, and can put up a nice work load in the stats department.  Hartnell is highly over paid for a winger that falls down while skating on his own.  I know there would be an argument on his production as of late, but the passes he has gotten from players like Jagr and Claude Giroux have made his job extremely easy the few times he was in the right place.  As I stated before, these are just ideas. I know 100% this will not happen, but it sounds nice, right?

What 9/11 Means To Me.

  A couple of months before the attacks happened on 9/11/01, my cousin was a part of the Volunteer Fire Dpt. where we lived. Around mid summer of 2001, I began starting to toy with the idea of joining the Fire Dpt. I had just turned 16, the age required to join the Fire Dpt.  As the school year began, I concentrated on my work, as I had not performed up to par in the previous years in High School. I had a lot of catching up to do, because I we behind in credits. I will openly admit, I was a lazy High Schooler. I never did home work, and I never studied. As you can guess, I did hardly at the average level. I was talking my mom into joining, and almost was allowed to get an application. Then the day of 09/11/01 came into everyone’s life.  I will not get into the “What were you doing when it happened?” saga, as you can assume I was in High School. I came home that day, and sat at the TV with my now late grandmother, brother, and mom. We watched in shock like everyone else, and the phone was steadily ringing from other family and friends to see if we were watching it. We knew what happened in school, but seeing it was an entire new ball game.

I knew right away, after seeing everything that the FDNY went through, I wanted to do that.  I waited for a few months to go by, and around Christmas time I began to throw the idea around more and more. Finally, in mid Jan. 2002 I talked my mother into allowing me to join the Fire Dpt. She said yes, and I filled out the application.  I handed it in, and a couple of weeks later I got the phone call I had wanted.  I was told to show up in the 2nd week of February to a meeting, and I was brought in as a Junior Fireman.  I was sent right away to EMT school, because at that time you needed to be 18 to go to the Fire Academy. I went, and continued my same practices as I was trying to over come in High School. I passed the EMT School, and how I’m not sure. I never studied, and barely payed attention. I made it to the State Testing, and failed. I didn’t care at that time, I just wanted to be a Fire Fighter.

As time went on, I learned a lot from the Veteran Firemen in my Dpt. When the time came, I went to Fire School. I did great, and loved every second of it.  I would stay at the Fire House into the morning hours when it wasn’t a school night, and even got a part-time job from a friend in the Fire Dpt.  Life was good, but something was still odd in a sense.  People would ask what you did, and when you said a Fire Fighter, it was almost like there was two images that came into their minds. September 11th, 2001 or, drunk Firemen.  I would say 90% of the time I received some sort of comment from an individual about either subject. Now I would like to formally say, alcohol is something now that isn’t tolerated in the Fire Fighting world, but stereo types are what most professions have.

Through the years, I later went back to EMT School and became an EMT-B for the State of New Jersey.  I find it odd that it came back full circle from where I began, but I’m also happy that it did happen.  I work full-time as an EMT, but I still love doing the Fire Fighting side of it all.  Looking back to September 11th, 2001 I knew a few people who were there.  A former Supervisor I had at a previous job was apart of the New York City Police Dpt.  He was there during the attacks, and received multiple awards for pulling people out of the Towers while he was injured on his quad. A piece of metal sliced it open, and he continued his job. He told me some stories, which I won’t share on here without his permission, but some are stories I never even heard told on TV before. Another reason I won’t share them, is because I can’t confirm them to be true.

I think back, and wonder what I would have done had I been there. I know I would have been scared, but I would have never guessed on those two towers coming down, just as most of the Firemen, EMT’s, and Police probably didn’t expect originally either.  It was very important to me to take part in ceremonies for 9/11 ten years later, because I know if I was there during the initial attacks, I probably would have been dead in the 343 Firemen that did die that morning.  I would want someone to honor me, and show appreciation like many did yesterday.  I was invited by the local VFW that my brother belongs to. He is in the Army, and it was something that I saw I might not have a chance to do again.  He was part of their Honor Gaurd, and I was invited to take part in the Honor Gaurd Gun Salute.  This was something that I will never forget in the almost ten years I have been involved in Emergency Services.  I could quit, or get forced out of Emergency Services, and after yesterday I feel as though that career for me is now complete.  I’ve helped a few people along the way, taught a few new people also. Nothing was more humbling, and satisfying as standing next to my brother on a 9/11 to Honor all the lives lost.

Flyers and Stamkos to be?

James van Riemsdyk

I honestly don’t think so. I feel that Stamkos will sign back with Tampa, but what if? Some people have mentioned a trade for Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightening and Philadelphia Flyers.  This trade would bring Tampa Bay Sergei Bobrovsky, Brayden Schenn, future picks, and I’ve also seen the name of James van Riemsdyk.  I asked the question on Twitter, would you fans approve this trade if you were the G.M.  Paul Holmgren.  Most of you said yes, and some didn’t approve.

One person on Twitter, “PhillyFran” questioned why would Tampa be interested in people whom are unproven?  I sat back and thought about this, and it was a great point.  At the same time, other than being a big time scorer in the regular season; the same can be said about Stamkos.  What he has done in the Playoffs?  He has been mediocre at best in post season play.  On the other side, what does Schenn, Bobrovsky, and a blooming star to be van Riemsdyk have to show?  van Riemsdyk was one of the best players in the NHL Playoffs last year.  The only other players that came close to his level of play for the Flyers was Daniel Briere, and Claude Giroux.  As for Schenn, he has played in nine NHL games with the Kings, and has two points so far.

So what does this all mean? It’s about building for the future.  This is something many teams have been doing in all sports for as long as sports has been around. I know what you are saying.  This is common sports sense.  My point is, the Flyers have been building for “now” for years.  The finally spent some money and picked up Ilya Bryzgalov from Phoenix.  This is maybe the best number one goalie since Ron Hextal for Philadelphia.  Now holding on to Schenn, whom is believed to be a huge star in the NHL; along with the likes of van Riemsdyk,  Giroux, and Bobrovsky there is something to be excited for.  I feel trading all those key components away would be like starting 100 percent over again.

Tampa Bay feels the same on Stamkos.  Steve Yzerman’s largest task will be to make sure the young stud in Stamkos is still on Tampa’s roster at the begining of preseason.  These are the types of players you build a Dynasty around, not trade for other hopeful prospects.

2011 NHL All Star Game/Draft Future Impact?

Tonight was the 2011 NHL All Star Game Draft. Claude Giroux and Danny Briere are the two representing Philadelphia Flyers selected for the All Star Game. Team Captains, Nicklas Lidstrom and Eric Staal had extremely tough decisions to make tonight in choose their respected teams. Team Staal had the first choice in the Draft. He respectfully choose teammate goalie Cam Ward. Nicklas Lidstrom was next, and choose one of the best picks being Steven Stamkos. Each Captain continued to choose their players, with Danny Briere being the first Flyer to be picked at round six, twelfth overall pick by Team Lidstrom.  Claude Giroux was later picked in Round thirteen, twenty-fifth Overall pick in the Draft. This now means that both Flyers Briere and Giroux, will have to face each other in the All Star game. On a personal level, I am not a fan of teammates having to play against each other. Also on a side note, the Sedin twins were also chosen on separate teams as well. If I was a Vancouver fan, this also would not make me happy. I realize this is a test run for the NHL. I also realize this is another way for them to try and bring in more of a fan base, but there also in my opinion has to be some kind of Tradition left in all major sports. I would love to see the idea that MLB is using for their All Star game. Keep it at East versus West, and the winner gets ‘home ice’ in the Stanley Cup Finals. This would give each side something to put more of a effort into, and have meaning. I’m not trying to take away from the game. This All Star game should be extremely exciting. The game is being held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Home of the Carolina Hurricanes. The same team Eric Staal is the Captain for. Another exciting note for the home crowd is Jeff Skinner being named as a replacement for the hand full of injured All Stars that were unable to perform. Skinner was drafted to Team Staal as well. This could be one of the highest rated NHL All Star games in a very long time. This is also what the NHL needs to grow. Could the success of this All Star game, and even including the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs this year tell the tale for the future of the NHL? One thing to remember is, the NFL could be involved in a nasty ‘Lock Out’ next year. Could this spark some attention from FOX or ESPN? The NHL needs these ‘Stars’ to shine like no other year in many years. What they need is a high pace and high energy game. I hope some of the players that have been there before take it very seriously, and show the new comers the ropes in a big stage. As a Flyers fan, and NHL fan I hope they can all deliver.

Flyers Dominate Sens

Normally I’d write a score by score recap on this game, but tonight isn’t one of those nights. My thoughts on tonight’s game. Giroux’s two hits were beautiful. The shoulder check was as clean as they come. When they jumped him, I was irate. I loved Carter sticking up for his teammate, but hated seeing him fight. When Giroux fought, I was in the same boat. I loved it, but would have rather not seen it. BUT he does have to stick up for himself. Neil’s fight with Shelly was a classic Heavy Weight battle. I loved hearing the crowd chant Shelly’s name. What a moment. Seeing Hartnell and O’Donnel  throw the hands at the same time was exciting from a fan stand point. Neil was the one player that I’m happy that did fight at the end, due to what he could have done if Shelly wasn’t on the ice. I hope this momentum can carry over. The Flyers showed unity, and the hunger needed tonight. If health can stay on their side, their future could be to no end!