Well, since Wednesday will be the three mark for mom getting killed, I started doing some thinking. What was going on three years ago this week.....Let's see. We (the many members of FTE) were making preperations to drive a fire truck half way across the country. It had been picked up, and an inventory made of what needed to be done to make it drivable. We established a web site. We started aquiring the interest of a few big names.....RTM Productions was going to run a story, ST. Judes was prepared to send out a banner. Ford Motor Company was willing to provide signage for the truck, and I finally got Exxon/Mobil willing to help with fuel. We had drivers lined out, and started mapping the best route across the Mid West from Iowa to Oregon. Started compiling info for all the fire departments between there and here, and I had even managed to start getting some of them lined out as relay points, and meet and greet spots. Then, it all fell apart. I got scared after mom was killed, and felt overwhelmingly nervous about allowing my FTE friends to take such a risk in an unrestored truck. The stakes were too high for such an ambitious adventure. Then I disappeared for about two months. Didn't want to get online for more than a minute to let FTE Member Monsterbaby know what had happened. I spent that next two to three weeks in a real mess. Running all over central Oregon to go through the wreckage. Argue with a State Trooper that ultimately got transferred for his unprofessional and inconciderate behavior towards me. Had to exchange words with the local T.V. station manager for reporting untrue information about the accident. Dad was in bad shape in the hospital, and our entire world was falling down around me. Wife had to have surgery, then the memorial that had to wait until August. Wasn't until Around my birthday that I got back onto FTE, and slowly but surely started getting back into things. While returning, I found myself awe struck. I was amazed by how truly compationate and caring, and selfless this group of people were. They didn't know me, would not of been able to pick me out in a crowd. Had no clue about my past, or my lifes adventures to that point. And yet, here they all were asking eachother if any one had heard from me. Started a thread just to say hey, we're here for you. I looked back through them threads the other day. A lot different back then, and yet it was only three years ago. The unwavering support for a fellow enthusiast. It reminded me of the Army......a big extended family from all over the place. When we ultimately decide that the relay was too risky, there were no foul words, no flaming, or discouraging remarks, which is what I think kept me away the longest.....the fear that all the work we had done, together, upto this point was for nothing, and that the people involved would be upset by the decision to abandon the project. That didn't happen. I felt as though I really, truly had made a bunch of friends that were the kind that you could lean on, no matter what. So, to all of you here on FTE, that were there, and remember that situation, and were there to keep me encouraged to push forward no matter how thick it got, THANK YOU........ You truly are the best.....especially when I throw in the occasional thread that really gets things heated up in here..... I love you guys and gals, and there's always a pot of coffee brewing at Joes house.

 

I back Joe up 100 % about the surport from the FTE family in a time of need. A death of a loved one can turn your world upside down. To have people to reach out during this time is heart felt. The surport on the lost of my 19 year old son two months ago was truely heart felt. I can never think you too much for this. My son had been helping me on my truck. It makes getting back started on it hard.

 

Joe,
Sorry to hear about your mother. I was not on this forum three years ago. You seem to have your feet on the ground and a good perspective. As they say in the 'strine, good on ya mate....

Alan