Friends, say a prayer
Greg Z
fire in which 6 of my brother firefighters lost their lives. I knew
them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
what will it be like?
Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
even play a guitar right now.
Greg Z
Lt. Greg Zinkus
Worcester Fire Dept.
--
"He who is wise will not criticize when other men fail at the game"...Go
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
gark...@aol.com
to those families that have lost their loved ones. Hang in there.
George Garklavs
In article <82aal0$chm$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
stev...@my-deja.com
As you requested, the prayers of my family go out to you and all the
people and families affected by this tragedy. I'm touched and honored
that you felt you could bring your grief and needs here.
Steve Klimkowski
chr...@blueridge.net
> As you requested, the prayers of my family go out to you and all the
> people and families affected by this tragedy. I'm touched and honored
> that you felt you could bring your grief and needs here.
> Steve Klimkowski
>
"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and
the dead: We give thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their
lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the
light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous
will, that the work which thou has begun in them may be perfected;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen."
Book of Common Prayer, page 488
M.DeLalla/Falling Mountain Music
your colleagues tell the horrible story on the Today show. My heart goes
out to the families, and all of you who lay it on the line everyday.
Peace,
--
Michael DeLalla
Falling Mountain Music
fal...@monumental.com
http://www.monumental.com/fallmtn
> Greg Z <gre...@my-deja.com> wrote in article
<82aal0$chm$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
> Sorry, no guitar content here. I just returned home from a 5 Alarm
> fire in which 6 of my brother firefighters lost their lives. I knew
> them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
> training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
> may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
> say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
> children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
> what will it be like?
> Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
> the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
> burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
> The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
> haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
> the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
> even play a guitar right now.
>
> Greg Z
> Lt. Greg Zinkus
> Worcester Fire Dept.
> --
> "He who is wise will not criticize when other men fail at the game"...Go
>
>
Harcourt
until it is too late.
In the UK, politicians often interfere in our local fire services to cut
costs, for example claiming that there is 'overlap' between local fire
services.
David Kilpatrick
BBC 24 hour news with regular updates. We are all shocked, I think, by
the idea of those men going into the blaze we have seen on the TV coverage.
A few years ago a firefighter friend of mine, Ian Robson, lost his life
when the engine was called out on a frosty winter night and encountered
an oncoming vehicle on our River Tweed bridge which is only wide enough
for a single truck. He took evasive action which saved the lives of the
oncoming vehicle, but the tender hit the stone parapet and went into the
river. All the town was out; a crane, the subaqua club, the river
ghilles in boats - this was at night - but the water was too cold, and
Ian was trapped in the cab. I knew him as a fellow member of the town's
camera club.
Years later, I learned that Ian was one of the best singers, songwriters
and guitarists in the region. The band he played with, Schiehallion,
never played again. When they dedicated a new stone to mark the site of
Thomas the Rhymer's 'Eildon Tree' it was one of Ian's songs that was
performed. He was in his 20s, and I just wish that he was still around,
as I'm sure he would have been with us at our folk club which didn't
exist in the town back then.
That tragic accident highlighted the problems with the 200-year-old
bridge, and last year - six years after his death - they opened a new,
wide bridge over the Tweed to make the old stone one a quiet road for
occasional use by cars. DK
Bob Dorgan
>
> Sorry, no guitar content here. I just returned home from a 5 Alarm
> them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
> training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
> may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
> say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
> children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
> what will it be like?
> Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
> the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
> burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
> The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
> haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
> the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
> even play a guitar right now.
>
> Greg Z
> Lt. Greg Zinkus
> Worcester Fire Dept.
> --
> "He who is wise will not criticize when other men fail at the game"...Go
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
Let us know if a fund is to be set up for the families.
God bless,
Bob Dorgan
Robert Newton
You and your brother firefighters are true heroes.
Jay Adair
age slowly crawls into view on the horizon you gain a more acute sense of
how dangerous the job really is. Youth and testosterone blind you for the
first 15 or 20 years.
They will all be in my prayers...
Lt. Jay Adair
Dallas Fire Department
--
Founder & Charter Member of The Society for Mediocre Guitar Playing on
Expensive Instruments, Ltd.
"Greg Z" <gre...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:82aal0$chm$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
St8capt
As a brother firefighter, your post gave me cold chills this morning as it was
the first I had heard of this tragedy. I just finished reading the account at
firehouse.com.
I can't comprehend how badly you must feel right now, but I assure you that I
too feel the pain that only us in the profession can understand, when brothers
are lost.
I hope that your Department is able to provide support services to the members
who must be extremely distressed. Please feel free to contact me should you
need assistance or someone to talk to in this trying time. I am the coordinator
for the Howard County (MD) Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and I also
work in the headquarters of an organization called the International Critical
Incident Stress Foundation (www.icisf.org). Our 24 hour emergency hotline
number is 410-313-2473. They can contact me 24/7.
You, the lost firefighters and their families, and your brother and sister
firefighters are in my thoughts and prayers.
I'll be playing blues for you this week.
Dale Gardner, Captain, Station 8
Howard County (Maryland) Fire & Rescue
(21 years)
Keith Odom
are with you, and the prayers of the congregation will be with you Sunday.
In His service,
Keith Odom
St8capt <st8...@aol.comantispam> wrote in message
news:19991204092804...@ng-cs1.aol.com...
Mark Schulz
congregation will remember you, your fellow firefighters, and the
families of those who gave themselves willingly for the sake of others
in our prayers this weekend.
God be with you.
--
Mark Schulz
schu...@mc.net
xyzj...@primary.net
Jeffrey
remove xyz to reply
Charles & Joan Park
Our thoughts are with you and your fellow fire fighters. You are a
friend and we have met and when I read this mornings paper with the news
of this horrible tragedy I had no idea that you were Lt. Greg Zinkus of
the Worcester Fire dept., just Greg Zinkus, Lt. of something. You have
brought this tragedy closer to us who know you and share RMMGA in
common. It is good that you have brought it to all of us so we can help
share some of the burden you and your fellow fire fighters and families
must endure. Please keep in contact if there is anything we can do,
other then the obvious, we all grieve with you at this time.
Charles
John Chamberlain
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the families of those who gave
their lives in service to their fellow man...
May the Lord watch over all of you.
John Chamberlain
Hmemerson
My thoughts are with you and the families that are devastated by this terrible
loss. I heard about it on the radio this morning, but having it happen to
someone in this group is too terrible to fathom.
They're in Gods hands now and I'm sure that they'll be well received.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Howard Emerson
JD BLACKWELL
Its bad enough to hear about tragedies like this when the victims are remote
and not personal friends. I lost an old buddy when a traffic stop went bad.
The little consolation comes from knowing they died honorably doing a job
they loved. I feel for you and your colleagues and you'll be in my prayers.
JD
Hojo2x
I've put you and your friends, both the living and the dead, on our prayer list
at our church.
Hang in there.
Wade Hampton Miller
Wade Ramey
December 4, 1999 Web posted at: 11:06 a.m. EST (1606 GMT)
WORCESTER, Massachusetts (CNN) -- The city of Worcester on Saturday
mourned six firefighters who were feared dead after failing to emerge from
a five-story blaze that roared through a warehouse.
"This morning the sun didn't rise because last night we lost six members
of our family," said Mayor Raymond Mariano during a morning news
conference. "They were our protectors ... and today the entire city
grieves for our loss."
Clergy had been called to the scene to counsel firefighters and families.
Family members of the six missing firefighters were asked to gather at a
local church, according to a Worcester Fire Department captain who
declined to give his name.
Firefighters and safety experts continued to fight the blaze Saturday
while they planned a strategy to find those trapped inside the industrial
building.
Two of the missing firefighters went into the building, which had once
housed a cold-storage business, Friday evening to scout out fires and look
for two homeless people who were reportedly inside, said Deputy Fire Chief
Gerard Dio.
The firefighters radioed for help after becoming lost, and four more who
went in as part of a 12-man rescue team became lost as well, Dio said.
Early Saturday, he said the homeless people hadn't been found, and it
wasn't known if they were in the building.
Dio said the layout of the building, once a warehouse, was
like a maze. Dozens of fire crews from Worcester and surrounding towns
were on the scene trying to douse the raging blaze.
"I keep thinking, there are mothers or wives out there
thinking, 'Is it my husband, is it my son?"' said Kathy Perry, whose
brother Michael McNamee, a district fire chief, was not injured. "And some
of them are right -- it's them."
The six Worcester firefighters ranged in age from 30 to 50,
and had served as firefighters from three years to more than 25 years, Dio
said.
While crews continued to battle the blaze, many firefighters appeared
distraught and shocked at the loss of their colleagues. Some telephoned
their families to let them know they were OK.
"This is obviously an extremely tragic situation -- the obvious hurt that
is on the faces and in the minds of these firefighters from Worcester and
surrounding communities," Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan
said.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bob Alman
to put this event out of my mind since I read your post last
night. I mentioned it to my wife, and she remarked how small the
world is getting where an event like this touches so many so
spread out across the world. I saw the fire on CNN and felt a
lump in my throat. I'm sorry for you Greg and those this event
has impacted so unfairly.
Bob Alman
Rick Alan Holt
I ask you to
>say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind.
Greg,
My thoughts and prayers, along with those of many others, are with the
families, friends, and fellow firemen of those who tragically lost their
lives. As I read this I note the small message at the bottom right of the
computer screen, "connected". Nothing could be more true.
Rick Alan Holt
DEidelberg
fully appreciate what firefighters risk every day. It often only hits them
when a tragedy occurs. In that sense, the loss of any firefighter does much to
raise the public's understanding of the sacrifices made by these men and women.
Although I haven't read any indication that the fire we're discussing was
intentionally set, I want to mention that I have been involved in fighting
arson for the last three and a half years in the private sector. I represent
insurance companies in claims which are potentially fraudulent. It's a
difficult task to determine which fires are the result of arson, but every time
we try to make this determination I wonder how people can set fires with utter
disregard of the dangers posed to firefighters. Perhaps people think they are
only destroying property, but they risk the lives of the firefighters called in
to battle the blaze. It boggles my mind.
Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to meet many
firefighters. Many of them in volunteer companies. What motivates them?
Whatever it is, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
tha...@erols.com
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the firefighters and
their families. The bravery you and they exhibit every day makes
the word safer for all of us.
Dick Thaxter
tac...@webtv.net
GOD blesses those who morn,for they will
be comforted
Neil
Olin Murrell
Bob Alman wrote in message ...
Quite well said. Firefighters count among this tired old world's biggest
heroes. Kind thoughts and prayers being sent their way.
John
Greg,
My prayers are with you and the families of the firefighters.
Grace,
John
ch...@san.rr.com
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and to the loss of those families
who's lives will never be the same.
There is no way we can make up for their loss, but if there is a fund,
or even an address that we can send some holdiay gifts to for the kids,
please let us know.
A young friend of mine is a firefighter, and whenever there is a tv-
story of a forest fire crew with casulties, I worry about Trevor and
hope that I'll get to see him again. I don't know how your families
live with that fear every day.
Susan
Jonas Godin
: Sorry, no guitar content here. I just returned home from a 5 Alarm
: fire in which 6 of my brother firefighters lost their lives. I knew
: them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
: training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
: may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
: say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
: children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
: what will it be like?
: Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
: the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
: burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
: The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
: haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
: the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
: even play a guitar right now.
: Greg Z
: Lt. Greg Zinkus
: Worcester Fire Dept.
: --
: "He who is wise will not criticize when other men fail at the game"...Go
This is where my lack of english skills really shows. I cannot really
express my sympathies in a foreign language, but I will do my best.
As a trained airforce firefighter, my heart goes out to all involved.
Firefighting is considered the most hazardous profession in our protected
society. Firefigthers are protecting our lives and property with their own
lives.
A year ago 60 teenagers where killed in a discoteque fire in Gothenburg,
Sweden, because the arrangers didn't consider the safety regulations.
Fire safety should never be compromized, yet people always puts their
personal comfort before their safety. I find that unbeliveable!
Greg, your colleagues are true heroes, giving their lives for someone
else. I wish there was something I could do to help their families trough
the holidays. I suggest that you print this thread, and show them that
people from all over the world are reaching out for them.
/Jonas
Tony B.
express my sympathies in a foreign language, but I will do my best. >>
To Jonas and Greg:
Jonas, your response was more than adequate and captured what I was feeling
beautifully.
As for Greg -- I'm from the Worcester area, was away on vacation when this
happened but followed the story from where I was. My heart and deepest
sympathies go to you and to all affected by this horror.
Tony B.
Real Live poet
"Remove the notospam thingie to send me mail, ok ... ?"
craftygirl
Here ya go Norm: http://www.firehouse.com/worcester/fund.html
I live far enough out that I went to HS with boys who had radios and
left when the fire alarms sounded. Fortunately, every one of them I
knew made it back. I can't imagine what you must be going through
right now, Greg, but my heart and my prayers go out to you and your
family and your community.
shannon
Norman asked:
> Please let the group know if there is any sort of fund
> established for
> the children. You are all in our thoughts.
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Lon Smith
> Sorry, no guitar content here.
No apologies necessary this is life content. You are in our thoughts.
DMadden596
I am deeply saddened for you and the loved ones of these brave people. You are
all in my prayers.
Donna
Rocky Jones
>
> Sorry, no guitar content here. I just returned home from a 5 Alarm
>fire in which 6 of my brother firefighters lost their lives. I knew
>them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
>training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
>may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
>say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
>children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
>what will it be like?
> Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
>the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
>burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
>The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
>haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
>the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
>even play a guitar right now.
>
>Greg Z
>Lt. Greg Zinkus
>Worcester Fire Dept.
Greg,
Keeping you & those involved in prayer.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
-- Ps 116:15
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rocky Jones
+++
REPLY: cclouky(at)hotmail(dot)com
"He who has Jesus... has life!" - I Jn 5:12
bc
up the following, and served it to the group:
> Sorry, no guitar content here. I just returned home from a 5 Alarm
>fire in which 6 of my brother firefighters lost their lives. I knew
>them all, and even trained some as recruits since I am one of the
>training officers and a 23 year veteran of the department. Perhaps it
>may even make the national news tomorrow in some places. I ask you to
>say a prayer for the wives and many children left behind. The union's
>children's Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday...will it take place,
>what will it be like?
> Some personnel were relieved from duty to get rest, some are still at
>the scene. The large former meat packing/cold storage building is still
>burning and their bodies are still inside. These are strange feelings.
>The entire 450 man department will be affected for some time. We
>haven't experienced this before like our brothers and neighbors to
>the east in Boston. Good night and please say that prayer. I can't
>even play a guitar right now.
>
>Greg Z
>Lt. Greg Zinkus
>Worcester Fire Dept.
Greg--Having read the rest of this thread, and just learning of this
terrible tragedy, I am totally at a loss for words. My heart goes out
to you and your colleagues, and the families and friends of those lost
and injured.
A guy I went to high school with is now my mother's next door
neighbor--and he's a volunteer firefighter. He was always one of the
nicest guys I ever knew, and to this day, is one of the finest
examples of humanity I have ever had the honor of meeting. The things
he and his family do for my 75 year old invalid mother, when I am
unable to be there, are just wonderful. All this, he works 2 jobs,
and is a volunteer firefighter. The world just doesn't have enough
people like Barry Riddle--and Greg Zinkus--and all the others who are
out there laying it all on the line for the rest of us--every day.
(Ok, so maybe I'm never really at a loss for words...) Greg, thank
you for sharing your pain with us. I wish there was something more I
could say...but you and yours are in my thoughts.
Thank you.
-------
"Remember when the music came from wooden boxes
Strung with silver wire" --Harry Chapin
the above e-mail address remains totally fictional.
the real one is bc9424@spamTHIS!.concentric.net (if you remove spamTHIS!.)
Bill (the poster formerly known as bc) Chandler
...bc...
Tom Loredo
You and your firefighter brothers and sisters honor us all with your
work on our behalf, and you yourself have honored us here by sharing
your grief and asking for our prayers. I will be gathering with
some friends from my church tomorrow, and you all will certainly be
in our prayers.
Peace,
Tom Loredo
DADGAD Tune
Larry
tel...@earthlink.net
> Greg, this story has been international news. It has been on the British
> BBC 24 hour news with regular updates. We are all shocked, I think, by
> the idea of those men going into the blaze we have seen on the TV coverage.
>
> A few years ago a firefighter friend of mine, Ian Robson, lost his life
> when the engine was called out on a frosty winter night and encountered
> an oncoming vehicle on our River Tweed bridge which is only wide enough
> for a single truck. He took evasive action which saved the lives of the
> oncoming vehicle, but the tender hit the stone parapet and went into the
> river. All the town was out; a crane, the subaqua club, the river
> ghilles in boats - this was at night - but the water was too cold, and
> Ian was trapped in the cab. I knew him as a fellow member of the town's
> camera club.
>
> Years later, I learned that Ian was one of the best singers, songwriters
> and guitarists in the region. The band he played with, Schiehallion,
> never played again. When they dedicated a new stone to mark the site of
> Thomas the Rhymer's 'Eildon Tree' it was one of Ian's songs that was
> performed. He was in his 20s, and I just wish that he was still around,
> as I'm sure he would have been with us at our folk club which didn't
> exist in the town back then.
>
> That tragic accident highlighted the problems with the 200-year-old
> bridge, and last year - six years after his death - they opened a new,
> wide bridge over the Tweed to make the old stone one a quiet road for
> occasional use by cars. DK