hero of the month: august

i'm going to try something new here. most of us are probably news junkies, but sometimes things can slip past in our busy daily lives. i would have liked to have whittled this down to just one, but it was impossible. i intend to make this a monthly feature.



fire lieutenant CHARLES "CHIP" McCARTHY and fire fighter JONATHAN CROOM, of the buffalo fire department, died on 24 august 09, after becoming trapped in the basement of a burning deli. they had entered on a search and rescue, as it was reported that a person had been heard yelling for help from inside. no other bodies were recovered from the scene.




fire captain TEDMUND HALL and fire specialist ARNALDO "ARNIE" QUINONES, of the los angeles county fire department, died on 30 august 09 when the vehicle they were in overturned on mount gleason, near acton, california after being overtaken by a rapidly advancing wild fire which encompassed/burned 42,000 acres at that time.


we here at the OH, bama FILES hope all will take the time to remember the sacrifice these public servants made. while they may not be from our communities, we can all sleep at night knowing countless others, like these fine men, stand ready to help us if the need should arise. take a minute and thank the next cop, fireman, or paramedic you see.

i am reminded of a quote by GEORGE S. PATTON, 'IT IS FOOLISH AND WRONG TO MOURN THE MEN WHO DIED. RATHER WE SHOULD THANK GOD THAT SUCH MEN LIVED.'





finally, i want to recognize milwaukee mayor TOM BARNETT, who while attending the wisconsin state fair, responded to a woman's call for assistance. seems a 20 year old drunk male was trying to take his daughter from grandma, in violation of a court order. when BARNETT stepped in to try to calm the situation, the male struck him about the head and shoulders with a metal pipe. BARNETT fought the attacker off, who fled and was later arrested.
BARNETT later said he was no hero and only did what others would have done in the same circumstance. BARNETT also related that the attack happened very quickly. two things here. TOM found out what most seasoned cops know, which is things can turn to shit in a hurry, and whether you like it or not TOM, you are a hero, because most would have stood by trying to get cell phone footage of the incident. glad you survived, just like the gunny said in full metal jacket, 'he's got guts, and sometimes guts is enough'.