This is long so get some tea. The passing of Sugar brings up a lot of old memories. I will start with my Sister Tresa always saying how wonderful her time at Houston School was. Starting as a teacher under the best Principal anyone could ever have, Glen Jones. Then getting to take his place with the best staff anyone could ever have. Sugar was a part of that. Now me. Started on the Lancaster Fire Department in Oct. 1975. Thanks to my neighbor at the time and fellow 1970 grad Dennis Maston, whos Father just happened to be the Lancaster Fire Chief. After getting laid off from the construction company only 9 months after graduation from ETSU I needed a job. Fire service career begins. Ken was one of the first people I met and he and Sugar made a lasting impression. But there were also the likes of GW Goggans, Fred Favors, Don Norrell, vernon Lusk, Ken Attaberry, Henderson Stepney and many others that were there and would come soon after that made that place a wonderful mad house to work. One of the hardest decisions I ever made was to leave and go to Carrollton. A couple of things stand out. Met Fred Favors and Vernon Lusk at the same time. I really knew both a little but this was not expected. i reached out to shake Vernons hand, he was working under a hood, and got the shock of my life. the man was holding a spark plug wire while the engine was running. who can do that? I thought Fred was going to cry he laughed so hard. Vernon never said a word. I almost quit. My second shift ever. Grass fire on Belt Line East of Nakomis Rd. sent me out there by my self on a 1932 Ford pumper, Vernon was still working on the other one. Needless to say the home owner was not impressed and we put it out with his water hose. I almost quit. When Jessica was born I was of course on duty when Sandy called and said lets go. My first call was to Ken who was at home ,he said for me to take off he would be right there. A lasting impression of the Fire Service. Made me want to stay. My first Christmas as a fire Fighter of course landed me again working. Came in that morning and GW Goggans was getting off duty. GW said Steve go back home for a couple of hours and be with that new baby, I will cover for you. Made a lasting impression impression that I was able to pass on several times over the next thirty five years. I still owe both those guys the time. But it made me want to stay. So glad i did.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:14:55 +0000
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