Many, Many Thanks to All First Responders for Your Service

Direct link to video (September 2015) from Thank-you First Responder on YouTube

On this day before Thanksgiving in the U.S. in 2025, I find myself being extremely thankful for the service of all first responders: wildland firefighters, structure firefighters. law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and ambulance drivers, and all support staff to first responders. What you do helps to keep us safe. Some of you will be working or otherwise on call on Thanksgiving, thanks so much for your service on this holiday. 

I wish all of you who celebrate, a very Happy Thanksgiving. I will be having a quiet holiday with my small family.

2024 Wildfire Season: Thank-you Firefighters

Words can not always express my gratitude for the hardwork that all wildland firefighters do whether they be on the ground or in the air to work to contain wildfires of any size and to keep us safe. I think that the short video from the National Interagency Fire Center, compiled from community expressions of gratitude  expresses what I can not.

Direct link to video from the National Interagency Fire Center on YouTube 

Thankful for all First Responders

Direct link to video from Nate on YouTube

As I await a quiet Thanksgiving day tomorrow with my small family, I am quite aware of all the wildland firefighters and other first responders who are either on duty tomorrow or on standby. Many of you will not be celebrating Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I am very thankful that you are on call so that we may be safe, and will respond to an emergency that might affect us. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart. I am even more grateful for the work of all first responders inlcuding but not limited to wildland fire fighters after an extremely busy fall wildfire season in New Jersey and elsewhere in the north east and mid-atlantic  in the United States.

I wish all who may be traveling with for Thanksgiving weekend here in the United States or for a day trip to your family and/or friends safe travels.