As many of you know, I told my story in "My Younger Buff Years", in the History Section of this site, as I watched and learned from what I consider to be the BEST and MOST EXPERIENCED Firefighters in the World.
For me, from my early Volunteer Firefighter Days to Small Town, 60 Career Member Fire Department, I got an education NOBODY could ever get from a book, or any college classes.
As I watched these so-called "FDNY War Years Firefighters" fight a record number of fires, once the fire was under control, I would sometimes go up to them and ask a question about something they did, or a new idea I never saw before.
They ALWAYS were there to answer my question.
I sure appreciate what they did for me and it is my hope that I was able to pass some of that information on to some of My Brother Firefighters,
a few who are members of this site.
Very often, when I asked a question, the guys would invite me over to the firehouse. We would talk about the job and sometimes compare notes.
Of course my experience of fighting fires in one year, probably didn't come close to what "THEY" (the FDNY War Years guys) did in maybe one week.
They would allow me to have meals with them as their guest, as well as ride with them, and sometimes even spend the night with them.
"I will never forget how good those guys were to me", many who I didn't know then, but I do now.
All because of this web site and a Retired FDNY Captain named John Bendick who was actually the first FDNY War Years Firefighter I met about ten years ago.
Of course now, because of this site, I've gotten to meet and become good friends with many others. Many you would readily recognize here yourselves.
Maybe over 20 years ago, I also got to meet Dan Potter of Ladder 5 at that time.
Years go by and "Johnny Gage" begins to write some of his stories and post some FDNY War Years Helmets that could tell their own story.
Dan and I are Reunited.
By now, your saying to yourself, "come on Willy we've heard this all before - what's your point" ?
Sorry guys, I just had this thought which I haven't discussed yet with Dan, aka "Johnny Gage" because I know he is busy with his upcoming book.
Because of the way the "Greatest Firefighters in the World" treated me, "I would like to propose an offer".
But it needs to be first worked out with Dan and I, plus okayed with the Boss here, Retired Captain John Bendick"
Up to the First ONE HUNDRED MEMBERS of this site, who purchases Dan's Book once released, "I would like to contribute $10.00 each, up to $1,000.00 and I would donate that money to the Joey D Foundation as well.
Maybe we could have some type of code the members here can enter when ordering Dan's Book. That would give us a good idea of how many guys from here (or their buddies included), ordered it and the amount I would gladly donate to a good cause.
I'm saving the money starting now. A Few Less Big Macs - but I'll be okay.
In closing: "I can NEVER repay those FDNY War Years Members back for all they've done for me".
"God Bless Them ALL For What They've Done".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCtRC7EfaRI