Fire Fighters in Maine: Help is On the Way
Road Report from Ted Chiodo:
Our Maine trip with Governor Baldacci continued after our stop at the Lewiston American Legion Post. After JK chatted with all the men and women who were in the Legion hall, he stepped outside into the beautiful Maine air and had a small impromptu press conference with local Maine reporters. I snapped a few photos of this gaggle and then went back to the rented blue Dodge Caravan land yacht (mini van) and started it purring.
I ended up in the driver’s seat of the 2nd vehicle in our 3-car convoy. Julie Armstrong, a wonderfully nice lady with a keen sense of direction, gave up an entire day to tool around with us as we campaigned to elect Democrats in Maine. I’d like to take this time to thank her and say that I really thought she had a sweet pair of sunglasses.
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We headed to Westbrook Fire Station around 2:30 pm to meet up with Congressman Tom Allen and the local fire fighters. Tom Allen is a great friend of fire fighters. He a native Mainer who graduated from Bowdoin College (the same college as Maine Civil War hero Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ).
As we pulled up, Tom Allen, Chief Gary Littlefield and some hearty Westbrook fire fighters greeted us. JK and Gov. Baldacci happily thanked Tom, Chief Littlefield and the fire fighters for inviting us to their spic-and-span fire station.
JK went on to thank IAFF for all of their help in 2004 and said, “When the Fire Fighters give you their support, you can rest easy because help is on the way.” The station was gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun; the vibrant reds and shiny chrome put a smile on everyone’s face.
JK, Gov Baldacci, and Tom Allen toured the site shaking hands and asking them about their concerns. They discussed the critical role of fire fighters as first responders and the full funding of the FIRE grant program. JK spoke about the importance of the job fire fighters do. They go where others won’t and do what others can’t to save the lives of their fellow citizens. John Baldacci and Tom Allen were the kind of leaders we need in Washington, Kerry said, people who represent the same values as selfless fire fighters, not the selfishness of the Republicans.
Great stuff—it is time for a change in 2006.
Now back to the joys of computer batteries. My battery’s dead. I’ve got this thing plugged into the wall, and still nothing’s happening! Help guys! Assuming I get the battery working again, I’ll be back in touch soon.
Until then, Mahalo!
-- Ted Chiodo
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Glad you enjoyed your visit to the Westbrook fire hall, Ted. You all are correct—fire fighters do a tremendous amount of good for their communities and take a tremendous amount of risk in doing so. Thank you for honoring their service like that.
It takes a special kind of man or woman to be a professional fire fighter—and an even more special kind to be a volunteer fire fighter, serving their communities without pay because they believe it to be their civic responsibility. The courage and commitment they show never fails to make me feel proud, and not a little bit humbled as well.
In fact, since you’ve been kind enough to remind us of that, I believe I’ll take out my bright yellow IAFF Local 293 Fire Fighters For Kerry t-shirt and wear it when I go down to the phone banks tonight. :0)
fire fighters have a burning desire to serve,
Otter
Keep on fighting John Kerry! You would make a wonderful President! Earlier the time was not right, and every thing is in due season! Health Care is a primary domestic issue that should be resolved for the betterment of American Citizens and society!
Recently, a bolt of lightening hit a house nearby me, but nobody knew it at the time. 20 minutes later, we looked out the window to see the house ablaze. 30 seconds later we saw the fire department come—they first watered down the house next door to stop it from burning, and then raised a crane to put out the fire in the house hit by lightening. My kids were frightened but it was definitely a way to comfort them, to convey that heroes were amidst—the firefighters who came so quickly to save our neighborhood. You can’t overemphasize what incredible work they do.
firefighters and their stations are usually the backbone of any community. Without their heroics, we wouldn’t have any homes and without their halls we wouldn’t have any place to hold our square dances! or casino nights….keep fightin Mr. Kerry.
hey…i just heard John Kerry is going to be in SC on Friday. Tell him to stop by and see me in Spartanburg!! :-)
While I would love that (really, anytime) I do understand he’s busy, but I, too, think John Kerry would make an EXCELLENT president and I’m ready to start working on his campaign NOW.
Keep up the good fight,
:-) t
I was here for the last fight and I think I’m coming on for the next on IF John KEEPS the gloves off!
ps
Hi Richard!
Hi Marcus!
Looks like were back at this again..huh? :-)
Keep on fighting John Kerry! You would make a wonderful President! Earlier the time was not right, and every thing is in due season!Posted by Joel | October 16, 2006 3:14 PM
Joel—Oh, I totally agree. IMHO, your analysis is 1000X better than all the TV Talking Heads and angry internet bloggers put together ! Thanks for your words.
Welcome back, old JKbloggers!
And welcome, new JKbloggers!
Come on in, the water’s fine. All we ask is that folks treat each other courteously here, and that those engaged in debate keep their facts on hand, and their feelings within the limits set by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Other than that, y’all are on your own.
:0)
debate define debunk defend,
Otter
Wonderful report and excellent photos. Thanks Ted!
Wonderful post, Ted! And great photos!
I love reading these posts about JK meeting with all these different folks around the country. Your details help me feel almost like I was there! (of course I wish I was!)
I just can’t wait until you write the post from Delaware County, PA.
;-)
Thanks for the update Ted! I am now home after being a tour guide for the good folks that came to NH to hear that incredible speech that Sen. Kerry gave to the JJ dinner on Friday. Thank you for being so wonderful to us and for posting that great pic in the other thread. It was a treat to meet you. I hope you like the lapel pin I gave you. (Well, it came from the Massachusetts Democratic Convention this summer. It seemed appropriate to give it to you.)
It was so nice to talk with the Senator on Friday night and complement him directly on that great speech. I have relatives who have served this country and it pains me to see how this Administration treats active duty and retired veterans. I love the hear Sen. Kerry speak about this war and about all the things that have gone wrong in it due to sheer incompetence and arrogance by this Administration and their Republican enablers in Congress. I feel like he is talking for all those good people who are now serving in a war without a plan, without an exit strategy under commanders who don’t have a clue. It’s just heartening to hear someone who really does care and who shows that concern in all his actions and words. Very heartening indeed!
Mr. Kerry,
You certainly would have made a much better president than Bush. Since I am only 21, 2004 was my very first election and I knew from the very beginning that I would vote for you. I attended one of your rallies in Bowling Green, Ohio and after that I wore my John Kerry shirt and button even more proudly. In fact, I made sure that all of my friends were aware of the issues and that you would be the one to bring the U.S. back the glory that it deserves. Personally, I feel that republicans should no longer be allowed to vote as they can’t be trusted to make an intelligent decision.
I voted for Kerry last time and was a advocate for a Kerry/Edwards Presidency. I do not know who I will vote for campaign for or fight for this time, I was seriously dissappointed by the outcome and actions or inactions in the campaign last time, I am reserving judgment and watching. I appriciate everything Kerry has been trying to do since 2004. We will just have to see.
Nice to have the blog running again maybe we will see some old friends and warriors :)
Fight the good fight Kerry we are counting on you.
Thanks for the update Ted. Watching JK talking to “ordinary” (though there is no such thing) Americans is incredibly refreshing. The more he gets out with people, the more likely it is for him to have a winning run. The more time he can spend in these impromtu types of encounters, the better. Too many people have the impression that because Senator Kerry is a Senator and he is married to a rich woman, he is completely out of touch and unaware about the struggles that many Americans face everyday. JK has to destroy that misimpression. I don’t know the most effective way to do that, but it can not be scripted.
However, I would like to invite the Senator to visit us in the heart of the Republican DuPage County (the “most Republican county in the Country”). This is the IL-6 district, and the Republicans are dropping bombs on Tammy Duckworth. I am confident that we can get many people to join us. It is worth knowing that the demographics are changing. She is attracting many Republicans who are completely frustrated by their party’s kidnapping by the extremists.
Marcus, it is great to see you again.
Greetings from Spain! I joined John Kerry´s campaign as an foreign observer. I got very dissapointed in November 2004, but even more as time has gone by and all the extremist policy of this adminidtration. I will support you in the must-win mid-term elections. We count on you John Kerry.
Hola, Miguel!
I just got back from eastern Europe and JK still has friends there too!
This election is so critical; we really need the House and Senate to begin to undo the tragic stomping of democracy. Today GWB signs the “We love torture” bill. I wish I could be there to “share my feelings” about it, but I am teaching and then off to California. Meanwhile, it’s raining in Washington, where the gods weep regularly.
Everyone:
Support progressive candidates and please please let your representatives in Washington know they work for US.
Hey everyone-want to help take back the House? Go back to first page and click on Eric Massa and give him some money to defeat Randy"shotgun” Kuhl (shot himself in the foot when threatening ex wife….alcoholic and frat boy till the day he dies…).Massa was fired by this administration for telling the truth about Iraq BEFORE we invaded- he is a straight talker and a great guy but does not have millions behind him and Kuhl has had Cheny in for fundraisers.. Drop him some money so he can get ads on TV and he can win!!!
Ashley,
Congratulations on voting as soon as you became eligible, and knowing the right person to vote for.
I would point out though, that many folks who register as “republicans” for one reason or another, have seen the light and will make a better choice next time - i.e. this November. In my area, many people believe they must register Republican if they want to avoid hassles from the county or local government (which the republicans have had a lock on for years). This is an especially strong practical consideration for someone who operates a small business in the county.
Also, in America - thank god - we don’t require a certain IQ to vote. It is our job as activists (or just citizens, for that matter) to inform everyone else we can, not just those who are as “smart” as we are, so that they can make better decisions. (In my case it is more luck than smarts; the luck to have found good information before being brainwashed by the RW media onslaught.)
I’m sure your comment was meant as snark, but I thought I ought to post a serious rebuttal for the benefit of anyone reading this who is snark-challenged. ;-)
MH:
Nice touch, jumping the snark like that.
:0)
it’s only finny because it’s so close to true,
Otter
(P.S.—That *is* why the confounding fathers—and mothers, ahem—included that cumbersome little Constitutional tweak known as the Electoral College, though…)
Bush signed the terror legislation.
Where are our articles of impeachment? You can not preserve,protect and uphold the Constitution if you dismantle and destroy it. I am sick this morning and sad.
I know, April. It’s a very sad day for democracy. What we need to do now is take back the congress and restore oversight.
It’s the only way.
Hi Karen. Everyone should know the reality and consequences of this whack policy. Can you teach your pupils to think freely?It´s the way to move forward.