Happy Holidays, Mike.
Here's Hoping for a Happy, Healthy & Safe Holiday Season!
Take Care...
Joel

The Fellowship of Fire Fighters

A few months ago, a retired Jewish Fire Fighter from San Jose, California, Named Mike Simms, contacted the Municipal International Department to express his sympathy after one of the suicide bombings.

The initial contact was by E-mail and the dialogue continued.

At the beginning of May, Mike Simms arrived at Ben Gurion Airport. He came to volunteer to work with the fire fighters of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Fire Department, so making his special contribution to the war against terror.

Tel Aviv's firefighters welcomed Mike with open arms and they are making sure that his stay is both useful and enjoyable.

This is Mike's own story:

"My attachment to Israel came early. At 18, I spent six months on an Ulpan - that was 40 years ago.

I came again in 1970, for another 6 months stay.

I took the path that led to a life in the U.S.

A 25 year career in the Fire Service, raising two children and a comfortable retirement.

I always felt part of me stayed in Israel. I celebrated her victories and was troubled by her problems - like most Jews in America, I had high hopes for Peace 18 months ago. When these were destroyed by the unwillingness of the other side to compromise, I hoped for the best.

When the murder bombings started, I knew as a Jew and as a fire fighter, I needed to do more than go to rallies in support of Israel.

Fire fighters are brothers. I knew what the fire fighters of Israel were dealing with. In my 25 years of service, I saw many horrible things. Each one is carried in my mind as a color picture, which comes back to me, triggered by events I cannot control.

I knew I must come personally to show my brothers, that fire fighters of America share their pain.

What can you say of a man, who responds to a bombing at a disco, knowing that his daughter went out that night and may be among the victims. He is a commander and must take charge of the horror, before knowing if the tragedy will be his personally. This man is more than a hero.

All we can say of him is, he is a fire fighter.

Long live Israel and long live her fire fighters."

Hey Mike, thanks for the add. I'm looking forward to more tales from the tailboard!