Great Granpa Art's Funeral Procession (2000)

[Mahnarch]

Ma keeps pulling out the pictures/news clippings:

Here's the local newspaper clipping from my Great Grandfather Art.
My truck is just off to the top of this picture (all cars after the Hearse are firemen and sons/daughters [my grandparents/great aunts, etc]).

Wally (in the article) is my Uncle, who is now retired.
I don't know any of the other city workers - personally.

I have a lot of memories of stories GGpa that he told me when I was younger - but, when you're a kid you don't appreciate them as much as you do now...

[Jason O'Lewa]

its great your grandpa was a fire chief
do you do firedepartment work? you do almost every other kind of jobs.
im serious you seem to have experenses at almost everything

my mom thinks I shoud be a teacher.
i am kind of good with little kids but I dont think I am going to be a teacher
my dad said not to go to his job he said its not bad but you can do better

i dont know yet.
i wish I could be a astronaught

[Mahnarch]

I'm 'Fireman Trained' but, I'm not certified.
I grew up a 'barn brat' and, if the circumstances called for it, I could/would be on hand in an emergency (fire or accident).

My Grandfather (dad's dad - Captain of the Muskegon FD) wouldn't allow me to start training and I respected his wishes.

Art was my Mom's Grandfather - Fire Chief of Ludington FD. He was all for me (and my cousins) joining the FD but, my Grandpa held more weight with me.

Now I'm 31 and I'm....not 21, anymore (so to say).
I'm sure I could pass the physical exam (obstacle course), though.

And, now that I'm a full-time manager with my company I'm always available.


....you know?! I may just check into that!
Thanks, Jay!

***

I'd say to follow your dad's wishes with your career - with some squeemishness.

While 'White Collar' work does pay more and gets more respect the jobs aren't as secure while, on the other hand, without ditch diggers and asphalt layers we wouldn't be able to commute with the ease we do today.

Heck! Without me, millions of people wouldn't have various important parts to their cars [mirrors, door handles, seat belt buckles, etc....]

The 'little people' get over looked but, have them all stop working for a day and see what happens...

***

I'm already on my way to being an astronaut!
I have my wings.

Now....only 200 steps to go!