Time for a Get Together

I asked myself this question; "How did this McDonalds and Wendy's thing involing Willy D first get started" ? Do you remember ?

It was our first Get Together. I remember it like your first love. A few guys were going to meet at the McDonalds in the Bronx on Southern Blvd and Fordham Rd. I had suggested that site because we were planning on touring some of the areas that were hard hit during the War Years and that was a pretty easy spot for us to meet at. It was also a favorite spot of mine to buff from as the North Bronx fire activity had started to pick up.

  Two other McDonalds that I had mentioned as favorite spots were the one on Webster Ave just below the XBronx Expressway and another was in Brooklyn at Broadway and Kos'kee'osko St.(how ever it is spelled). Not too far from Jackie Gleasons house at 324 Chauncy St. (Remember Ralph and Alice on the Honeymooners).

  Then "mikeindabronx" and I put down a few of those Wendy's Classic meals at the Third Ave/XBronx branch office.

  Next thing I know, there's pictures posted on here of myself, CFDMarshall, "fdce54" and "jbendick" being flooded out at a McDonalds. It's somewhere on this site.

  Also, I know for a fact, that those two guys who call themselves "johnd248" and "Bxboro" are scheming things together. They live near each other and if they're not talking about fires in Brooklyn or Da Bronx, their planning their attack on Willy "D".

  So for those who don't know how this McDonalds thing got started, that is it. One look at my body and I think you'll understand it.

  "minerva14road", if you thought one was Santa Clause, and one might have looked like a "Pink Elephant", you weren't drunk. That was us.
 
minerva14road said:
mikeindabronx said:
Bxboro said:
Word has it " Willy D" has been spotted at a Wendys !!!!!
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We ate together at a Wendys on 3rd Ave. just below the XBXEXWY about a year ago.Somebody must
have ratted us out
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You won't believe this, but I think I was there at the same time with my girlfriend. This Wendy's is not far from home. I don't know if you guys were buffing but I remember saying to her that I thought you guys were. I was tempted to go over and ask, but I chickened out.
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  Small World Mike, but I have reason to believe we were under survallance that day when we ate at that Wendys. Goes to show you, you can't even hide in the Big Town. Also, it shows that I'm not the only one to eat at Wendy's.

  Actually, "minerva14road" and I have been in contact. His name is Bob S., and I do think he did see Mike and I that day. 
 
nfd2004 said:
minerva14road said:
mikeindabronx said:
Bxboro said:
Word has it " Willy D" has been spotted at a Wendys !!!!!
Click to expand...


We ate together at a Wendys on 3rd Ave. just below the XBXEXWY about a year ago.Somebody must
have ratted us out
Click to expand...

You won't believe this, but I think I was there at the same time with my girlfriend. This Wendy's is not far from home. I don't know if you guys were buffing but I remember saying to her that I thought you guys were. I was tempted to go over and ask, but I chickened out.
Click to expand...

  Small World Mike, but I have reason to believe we were under survallance that day when we ate at that Wendys. Goes to show you, you can't even hide in the Big Town. Also, it shows that I'm not the only one to eat at Wendy's.

  Actually, "minerva14road" and I have been in contact. His name is Bob S., and I do think he did see Mike and I that day.
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Small world indeed. In addition, I remember telling my girlfriend that I needed a scanner after seeing you guys... I now have thebravest app on my phone, due to that day. Another coincidence, I happened to have gotten a meal from that very Wendy's earlier this evening.

I am sorry to admit, Mr. D, that I prefer Wendy's burgers over Mickey D's. However, Mickey D's has better fries. I hope this is not a problem!
 
You won't believe this, either. Talk about a "small world", I was eating in the Wendy's on 3rd Avenue on the same day about a year ago - and I also thought I saw Willy D and Mikeinthebronx eating.

I was with friends so I did not want to admit that I knew them.

Everyone in Wendy's knew that Willy D was a professional burger eater by the catsup stains on his sweatshirt.
 
Mack, that is not a stain, that is a logo!

Willy D, add one more to the group, Chatt H. One of my old recruits that is assigned to Truck 28 Nashville! He will be my wingman! Couldn't get a hall pass for the son in law! Maybe next time.
 
That is Great. I don't mean about the Wendys Burger eating thing, but that your buddy, a member of the Nashville FD, wil be joining us (Chatt H). Hopefully next time your son in law, who is assigned the second busiest Engine Co in Dekalb County, Georgia (outside of Atlanta), will be joining us.

Chatt H., will be added to the list.

"minerva14road", Bob S., gave me a complete description of that day when myself and Santa Clause, I mean "mikeindabronx", were having alittle chow at Wendy's on Third Ave. I don't think "mack" would have been able to hide because I know him and I think Mike does also. Unless of course he was dressed as Santa Clause too. But I think we would have spotted him.

  Actually, "I hate to say this", but maybe it's our good friend "mack" that is the one seeing "Santa Clause" and "Pink Elephants". "I'm sorry", I really don't think he was there. At least at THAT Wendy's on Third Ave, THAT day.

  CFDMarshall, looking forward to meeting Chatt. Glad he will be joining us.
 
nfd2004 said:
  Those planning to attend, so far I have (I will update this list as I get the names):
        1) CFDMarshall - Elwood E.
        2) fdce54 - Frank D.
        3) mack - Joe M.
        4) STAjo - Joe W.
        5) guitarman314 - Tom E.
        6) NFD2004 - Willy D.
        7) Atlas - Ken F.
        8) Anesti -  (Saturday Tour Only)
        9) Parkave32 - Bill J.  (Excluding Saturday evening dinner)
        10) svd385 - Steve D.
        11) Chatt H. - Nashville, F.D. 
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  Okay guys, here is the updated list. I will contact everybody. I believe I have everybodys phone numbers. If you are not sure or you have changed it, just send it to me okay. It works out good that way. Hopefully, it's a cell phone that you will have with you. If you need my cell phone number, just send me a pm.

  We are planning on car pooling. If you use mass transit to get to the hotel, we should have plenty of vehicles. I understand parking could be a problem at or near the hotel. The two bridges we will be crossing, both have tolls. It is quite possible that somebody could get lost in traffic. I think "Atlas" will have some portable radios to use for that. Plus, he knows the area very well and could maybe point out a few spots along the way.

  We have many more guys on this web site that I wish would be able to attend. But for various reasons they can't make it. And then there's one or two that may just stop by for the dinner Friday or Saturday. We have been invited to join other individuals as a group, by some of the Best. But we'll have to try and plan that for future Get Togethers.

  I think it's pretty safe to say, that those who know us as a group, respect us for our interest and support. And whether we visited "The Rock", The Shops, or a firehouse, I think that is pretty much true. As an individual, I am very thankful for having such a good group of friends. We come from the NYC Metro area, across the Country, and even across "The Big Pond". (I'm referring to "Irish", a great guy a few of us met recently).

  The guy responsible for all this is Tommy B. A Lt in the FDNY. He also makes it possible for many of us to be able to listen to the FDNY and a few other important/interesting Emergency radio channels. After seeing his radio set up, my guess is that he must have won the lottery to afford that entire radio set up. I don't want to forget his Admin Asst., "truck 4", a Yonkers Police Sgt.

  I could go on down the list of people on this web site who I consider "Top Shelf". From a young volunteer firefighter in Shelton, Ct to a Seasoned U.S. Army Viet Nam Vet/FDNY War Years Firefighter from some of the busiest companies throughout the FDNY.

  So with that, I guess that's my story for today.
 
Speaking of the famous McDonalds i do believe Willy D even showed me it on my visit :) lol

Wish i could do the get-together with ye. Sadly if the Irish Government see me taking 2 x US holidays in 1 year they'll start taxing me more.

Look forward to seeing photos of the weekend
 
Maybe Willy D can take us to his other favorite fast food restaurants:

Wetsons?


A&W?


White Castle?


Horn and Hardat?

 
"A & W Root Beer Soda" - 5 cents

"White Castle" burger - 5 cents

If "mack" or "Johnd248" can find these places, "I'll treat the WHOLE GANG". And I'll buy a half dozen burgers for each member in the group. "Hows that for being a part of this tour". I know "johnny d" isn't signed up, but I bet when he sees that his ole' buddy will buy a half dozen white Castle Burgers, that may be just the thing to get him to join in. On top of that, 2 or 3 "A & W Root Beer sodas", and it's a deal he can't turn down.

And I'll even throw this out. If we can't find A & W Root Beer soda or White Castle Burgers for 5 cents in NYC, I'll go up to 15 cents each for a Micky D burger.

So get yourselves ready for not only a great tour, but your bellies to be full and much larger than when you started. "Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island; here we come" !!!
 
Chicago, the original White Castle was @ 22nd and State, E8/L4 still district, original Mickey D's is in Des Plaines on River Road. Restored to original, will try to make Mickey D happy with a pix, no promises
 
Here is an oldie in Queens that still functions....not exactly like the original burger joint ....more like a low price breakfast & lunch counter....i would not make a special trip but the before & after pictures in the link are nice....... i pass by it often but have not been inside in 30 years......it is interesting to note that in the 1957 photo the subway grating is visible near the curb then in the more recent one the gratings are covered w/ tarps then in the most recent V PIKE shot you can see the new raised metal boxes in place to prevent subway flooding  which have been placed in many areas of the city......      http://gothamist.com/2008/07/30/under_an_orange_awning_burger_histo.php  ...............      V PIKE SHOT...use right or left arrow to scroll sideways............    http://www.vpike.com/?place=northern+blvd+%26+broadway+queens+ny&submit=Street+View&r=e  ............  here is closer shot of a prototype grate....most in use in QNS do not have the bench seat.....they are designed not to stop all ventilation as the top is still grated & would allow "some" rainwater in but will prevent waves of deep runoff water from entering...... http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/new-subway-grates-add-aesthetics-to-flood-protection/
 
The last A & W in NYC was in Staten Is. Its been gone for a few years now. But what about WHITE TOWER?  There was one on Fordham Rd in the Bronx. There was a Gino's in the Bronx also, but I do not known of any others.

I just might have to take Wille D for an egg cream & some home made ice cream when he arrives.
 
Atlas said:
The last A & W in NYC was in Staten Is. Its been gone for a few years now. But what about WHITE TOWER?  There was one on Fordham Rd in the Bronx. There was a Gino's in the Bronx also, but I do not known of any others.

I just might have to take Wille D for an egg cream & some home made ice cream when he arrives.
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If your in QNS & have time you could stop here........  http://plus.google.com/101531505916416609695/about?gl=us&hl=en#101531505916416609695/about?gl=us&hl=en
 
One thing for sure. We won't run out of places to eat.

As of today (Sunday 10/6), less than two weeks to go.

If you're traveling from a distance, don't forget your toothbrush, shaving cream, deodorant, scanner, camera, clean underware, and socks. It might get chilly, so bring a jacket.

  There will be plenty of vehicles for those that need to car pool and want to use mass transit.

  In appreciation for our tour, a reminder that we will be asking for a donation for the Two charities that we support as a group. It is going to a good cause, so please give what you can. The Elsasser Fund and The Wounded Warriors Fund. (share an even amount with each).

  I will be in contact with those that have signed up over the next few days. I am sure looking forward to seeing everybody.

  If you have any questions, or need any help with anything, you can contact Mr Willy "D", either by phone or "pm". If he doesn't know, the next person up the chain is "Atlas", and he will probably know.

  I hope the weather is okay. But as we all know, that is beyond our control. Another thing beyond our control is the very nature of this fire department business. They may not be there when we get there. So although we are on a schedule, we have to be very flexible about it. 
 
68JK09 - you know right where I am taking him!!!  EDDIE's is the best, been going there or years.
 
We just want to make one last call. If you want to attend this extravaganza event, last chance guys.

And just a few very important reminders.

Atlas has advised me that we will need your full name and "you" will need two picture forms of ID to get into Fort Hamilton. If you drive in, you'll need your registration and insurance card in case they ask.

And of course no weapons.
 
nfd2004 said:
We just want to make one last call. If you want to attend this extravaganza event, last chance guys.

And just a few very important reminders.

Atlas has advised me that we will need your full name and "you" will need two picture forms of ID to get into Fort Hamilton. If you drive in, you'll need your registration and insurance card in case they ask.

And of course no weapons.
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Is that two forms of government issued photo ID like down in DC. I'd hate for you and me to be standing outside again, Bill.
 
Frank, that's a good question as we both know that security can be pretty tight. Maybe this place will take your work ID !

If I can find my photo ID from grammer school, I'm bringing it. I haven't really changed that much since my eighth grade photo. Give or take 150 lbs. Maybe some hair missing. Stil have most of my teeth. I don't think I changed that much over the last 50 years or so. So I don't think I'll have a problem.  :)
 
Wow, Willie . . . you must have REALLY attracted those girls in the 8th grade!  ::) 8) :o
 
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