Thanks - I'm still working on some vids and Like I said they aren't the greatest- and one got cut off :(
Thanks - I'm still working on some vids and Like I said they aren't the greatest- and one got cut off :(
Thank you for being there, and taking pictures and everything. It means so much to those of us who could not be there. All those pews that look empty? They are really filled by all of us in thought, and I hope all his Ohio friends and Nancy know that.
Thank you so much for posting all the links, Staci. I thought about Phred and you guys all day and your posts make me feel like maybe I was there just a little bit today. Sitting here in tears now thinking about how real this all is now. Its heartbreaking to think of him not posting here at PT and not being at the Findlay gatherings.
Fireman’s Prayer
When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I must answer death's call,
bless with Your protecting hand,
my family one and all.
~~~~~~
Thanks Staci,
Been thinking about Phred today - thanks to all of you who were able to get there for carrying our love for Phred and our sympathy to his family & friends. LES again, seeing the videos and hearing the firemen's stories. I'll bet Phred had a good laugh "up there" as he listened in.
my face flooded again..
very sweet.. the fireman uniform did me.. I never knew him really but that´s just how special he was..
your description was great.. a much deserved goodbye..
bagpipes.. oh my.. made me choke again.. that is the only thing missing when my hubby passed.. bagpipes.. we both loved them and wanted them when we parted.. although not anytime sooner.. wish I had found some..
Thank you Staci for sharing those with us, God Bless you Phred!
just had to post again.. I´m just watching the vids..
and I´m here sitting laughing while tears flow by.. funny stories.. he surely left so many great memories behind..
Yesterday Randi and I visited Gini. We went out to her backyard and talked and laughed about the bbq in 2005 - when Phred sent the fire engine.
On the way back to the expressway we had to pull over for a fire engine with its siren on.
Randi exclaimed - "It's Engine 29! The same one Phred sent to the bbq!"
He is still with us....
I wish I could have gotten more of the personal stories but I knew my sound wasn't up to par. And I didn't have a big enough card.
I have emailed the The professional photographer said she will
email the vids directly.
OH
Gosh- I TOTALLY forgot.
At a table at the lunch there was a corkboard that was COVERED with envelopes and cards from all over the PET TALK WORLD!!
Joan thought it was so awesome and special she wanted them displayed.
So PetTalker's were represented quite well today!
That made me feel better.. knowing for sure he's still around. Phred may not be here physically but he'll be with us forever.Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary
Thanks Staci for the videos. The mold has definitely been thrown away.
:love:I've got one more video uploading but its a big one so its taking awhile. I'll get the link when its finished.
Thank you Staci. {{hugs}} Lots of LES stuff flowing here.
Thank you Staci! I kept our Phred in my prayers all day yesterday. I bet he had a front row seat and enjoyed it all. :love:
One thing I've always wondered, why do they play bagpipes at firemens funerals? They even do that here now. I think it's lovely. I just wondered why. :love:
I am not really sure - I will have to research it - but I know they said that his funeral was a lot of "firsts" The first they'd ever had bagpipes and actually the first that they used a military like formation and they practiced it and practiced it b/c they knew that they wanted to do it right and for John/Phred they HAD better do it right b/c he ran a very tight ship! :)
Carrie and I were talking to the Chief and we said "this is our first Fireman's funeral like this we'd never seen it before" And he said "yea ours too" chuckled and walked out the door. Well, I thought he was joking but in talking to Joan it WAS true. They had never done it in formation quite like that before. The back of the church was lined with about 20 firemen all in their dress blues and they stood with military precision. When stories were being told, and I told about my LA Firemen story the crowd was laughing and chuckling but none of the firemen cracked a smile, but as he was escorted down the aisle at the church several of them either had tears in their eyes or had tears running down their faces. The young girl that carried his helmet down the aisle ahead of the casket was quite emotional. He had sooooo many people that loved him.
LES here again.
How could you not love Phred? He was the kindest man I've never met. Gosh, how I wish I could have met him. I always dreamed about going to one of the Findlay gatherings, partly just to meet him.
The day will come that I will get to meet him. I'm sure he will greet each one of us at the bridge with our babies that are there waiting for us.
Question: Why are bagpipes a part of funerals, especially firefighter and police funerals?
Answer: The history of funeral bagpipes is a fairly simple (though very sad) one. In traditional Celtic cultures, including both the Irish and Scottish cultures, bagpipes were an important part of a traditional funeral. After the Great Potato Famine of the mid-1840s, Irish immigrants came to the United States in huge numbers. Due primarily to racism and xenophobia, Irish people were often allowed to apply for only the most dangerous and difficult jobs, including the jobs of firefighter and police officer.
Work-related deaths for firemen and cops were not uncommon, and when one or more of these deaths would occur, the Irish community would hold a traditional Irish funeral, including the mournful bagpipes. Over the years, this tradition spread to firefighters and police officers who were not of Irish descent.
So if it's an Irish tradition, why are the Scottish bagpipes used?
In short, it's because the Scottish highland bagpipes are significantly louder than the traditional Irish uillean pipes. Though it's likely that either or both types of pipes were used at funerals in the 1800s, the Scottish highland pipes are now almost universally used.
Where do they find bagpipers to play at firefighter and police officer's funerals?
Fire and police departments in most major cities have a special brigade, usually as a division of an Irish fraternal group called The Emerald Society, who learn to play bagpipes and drums for the very purpose of honoring their fallen comrades. In some places, civilians may be members of the pipe and drum band, but generally, the members are active or retired firefighters and police officers.
I am just seeing this thread.
Godspeed Phred.
You helped me keep a 'childlike' perspective on life that will continue on.
You will always be remembered. :love:
Thank you, Staci. Major LES here.Quote:
Originally Posted by shais_mom
Staci, that 4th video is excellent. Sound was good and you must have used a tripod. Minister's remembrances of Phred were perfect.
Could hear you chuckling a few times.
Thanks for posting these, Staci. The last one, especially, was wonderfully sad to absorb.
Staci,
Thank you for all you have done to include us in this memorable tribute to Phred. Without your thoughtfulness, we would have missed very special moments. Phred provided us with so many special moments - it is only right that we share and respect his special moment - a life well lived and a man truly loved and respected.
Thank you for giving us all that moment.
Rest in Peace dear Phred and know you will never be forgotten.
I tried to watch the memorial service but when I saw the empty fireman's outfit I just couldn't do it. :(
Be at peace now dear Phred. :love:
Watching the Memorial video I had to go get some more tissues - it was a wonderful service. Thank you for sharing this special moment. I'm glad some of you could be there.
As I was flying back home from CA yesterday, I felt a little closer to Phred - and seeing the Fire Engine no. 29 going past us on Wilton Ave. after having visited Gini was simply amazing!
Phred, you will be missed sorely and never forgotten. :love:
Staci, thank you for sharing all this. It helped us to be a part of saying farewell to Phred.
And that fire engine #29 - Phred is still setting up surprises.
I've just spent some time reading this whole thread and viewing the videos.
Staci: many thanks. I know how hard it was for you to capture the service without completely falling apart during filming. I managed to download and save them in RealPlayer format. {{{hugs}}}
Randi/Sara: Yes, I can just imagine how you felt seeing engine #29 pass by. Phred spirit is forever engraved in CA.
So many memories and so many giggles and tears. RIP Phred. :(
Thanks for the videos Staci. I wish I could have been there in person, it was great to be able to sort of be there with your videos. It's still so unreal, hard to believe he really is gone. :(
Another heart felt thank you Staci for posting the pictures, the video and all the other things you did.
As I sit here with tears running down my eyes I'll never forget how Phred left his impression on each and everyone of us.
We're gonna miss you fireman Phred.
thankfully my sister let me borrow her tripod so I was able to get it set up to stay still. I think Diana got a video of the firetruck parade - but hasn't had time to upload or do anything with them. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by slick
What Karen said about the "empty" pews not really being empty, but filled with all of us that couldn't be there in person said it best... we were all there in spirit Phred. Thank you for being.
Laurie
p.s. Staci, I will see you (and everyone) Memorial Day.
Thank you Staci :love:
Thanks for posting the video, Staci. I only wish I could've been there to pay tribute to a great guy!
It's just not the same without Phred.
Thank you Staci for sharing the amazing pictures and videos. It was good
to hear all the wonderful things about Phred by others who knew him well.
He sure touched a lot of lives & will be remembered as long as we live.
I'm so sorry to hear of 'Phred's passing - I've read this whole thread and cannot stop crying. What a lovely gentleman John was - always there with a kind word and deed for those of us who needed it.
The times we've all ROFL with his wonderful stories are without number - his kindness was legendary and I will miss this wonderful man.
Thank you so much Staci xx
Rest in peace dear, kind Fireman Phred:love:
I'm finally home. After the funeral, I went out East to Atlantic City for New Years.
I'm really honored that I was able to make it to the service. It was very beautifully done and I had no idea it was a first for those firefighters.
Staci, I can't believe I missed the Pet Talk card display! :o
I am finally working on the pictures and the video I took at Phred's funeral last week. Here is the parade of fire trucks in honor of Phred. It was at the end of the funeral and as you can see we went outside without our coats and boy was it cold out there. But it was truly amazing the extent the volunteer fire department went to to for a proper send off for Phred. Once again you could see how he touched people when you see the trouble they went to to "research" the proper way to honor him at the funeral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtWkEBsyhQM