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PREPARE TO POST.CAN YOU SEE? PRESENT BY THE DOGS EARLY LIGHT.
WE AS THE TWILIGHTS LAST GLEAMING WHOSE BUS STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PER FIGHT, OR THE RAMPART WE WATCHED WAS SO GODLY STREAMING AND THE ROCKETS RED GLADS BOMB BURSTING IN THERE, GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE.
OR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION CHAPLAIN PAULS.
GOD, WE COME TO YOU WITH APPRECIATION FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
AND TO BE POSITIONED TO SERVE.
IT IS BY YOUR GIVEN DESIGN THAT EACH OF THESE CADETS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE ARRIVED AT THIS POINT TO GRADUATE AND RECEIVE THE BADGE OF BEING THE BEST OF THE BEST.
I ASK FATHER THAT WHEN THEY ARE DEPLOYED TO DUTY YOUR GUIDING HAND AND PROTECTING PEACE BE UPON THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
LORD, WE ESPECIALLY GIVE THANKS TO THE AMAZING AND NECESSARY WORK THE TRAINING ACADEMY DOES IN PREPARING THESE BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS.
MAY THE STAFF KNOW HOW VALUABLE AND APPRECIATED THEY ARE.
GOD, MAY WE ALL STAY COMMITTED TO OUR FAITH, OUR FAMILY, AND FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS.
WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR HOLY NAME, AMEN.
BEFORE WE HAVE A SEAT, HOW ABOUT A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR, UH, CAPTAIN FOSTER, CAPTAIN ROBERT? OKAY, FOLKS, HAVE A SEAT.
UH, I WANNA WELCOME E EVERYBODY TO THIS, UH, JOYOUS OCCASION AS WE, UH, AS WE WELCOME SOME NEW MEMBERS TO THE FAMILY.
AND WE WELCOME BACK SOME OLD FRIENDS TO THE FAMILY.
I'M THE DISTRICT CHIEF IN CHARGE OF CADET TRAINING.
I'VE HAD THE REAL PLEASURE OF OVERSEEING, UH, THE, THE TRAINING OF THESE FOLKS.
IT'S BEEN A LONG, HARD JOURNEY.
I WANT TO THANK, UH, THE CADETS FOR WORKING AS HARD AS THEY DID FOR THE REHIRES, WORKING HARD AS THEY DID.
I WANT TO THANK THE COMMAND STAFF FOR SHOWING UP CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE GOT A, A, A FULL VOTE HERE.
THE MAYOR, UH, MARTY LANGTON WITH LOCAL 3 41 AND ALL THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY SHOWING UP AND SHOWING SUPPORT.
THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, THIS IS, UH, SUPPORT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
UH, I'M GONNA BE TALKING THROUGHOUT THIS, THIS PROGRAM, UH, AND YOU'RE GONNA GET SICK OF HEARING MY VOICE.
SO I, I, I FIND THAT THESE INTRODUCTIONS, UH, AND WELCOMES THE BETTER, THE SHORTER THEY ARE, THE BETTER THEY ARE.
SO WE'RE GONNA GET RIGHT INTO OUR FIRST SPEAKER.
WE STARTED SOMETHING A FEW YEARS AGO, UH, TO LET YOU FOLKS KNOW,
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UM, THAT, UH, WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE AT THE ACADEMY.WE LET A MEMBER OF THE, UH, GRADUATING CLASS COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS.
SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, JARED WILSON, COME ON UP.
GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, ESTEEMED GUESTS, FACULTY, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE CULMINATION OF MONTHS OF HARD WORK.
SACRIFICING DEDICATION TODAY SIGNIFIES NOT JUST THE COMPLETION OF AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAM, BUT THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING, SOMETHING MUCH GREATER.
THE START OF OUR JOURNEY AS FIREFIGHTERS TO PROTECTIVE PICKED UP PROTECTORS OF LIFE, PROPERTY, AND THE COMMUNITY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THIS IMPORTANT MILESTONE WITH US.
YOUR LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT HAVE BEEN OUR FOUNDATION THROUGHOUT THIS CHALLENGING JOURNEY.
YOU STOOD BY US THROUGH LONG HOURS OF TRAINING THE SACRIFICES AND THE UPS AND DOWNS.
YOUR PRESENCE TODAY MEANS THE WORLD TO US.
ON THE BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE GRADUATING CLASS, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MAYOR WHITMEYER, FIRE CHIEF MUNOZ, THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE ENTIRE COMMAND STAFF.
YOUR VISION AND DEDICATION TO THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING OUR TRAINING AND INSPIRING US TO UPHOLD THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FOR BEING A TRUE EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO DISTRICT CHIEF HILL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE TIME AT THE ACADEMY.
YOU SET THE STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONALISM, DEDICATION, AND INTEGRITY.
WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXAMPLE YOU'VE SET.
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING US IN PUSHING US TO REACH OUR FULL POTENTIAL AND PREPARING US FOR THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
YOUR IMPACT ON OUR JOURNEY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO SENIOR CAPTAIN GOLDS STRAW FOR YOUR INVALUABLE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT THROUGH OUR TRAINING.
YOUR EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION HAVE INSPIRED US TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY.
OF ALL THE LESSONS YOU TAUGHT US, THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS, WAS ACCOUNTABILITY AND BROTHERHOOD.
WE ARE PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WISDOM.
YOU HAVE SHARED AN EXAMPLE YOU HAVE SET.
YOUR MENTORSHIP HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON ALL OF US, AND WE ARE PROUD TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS.
AT THIS MOMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR TWO CLASS OFFICERS, ENGINEER OPERATOR, FLORES, AND ENGINEER OPERATOR HODGES, THE DEVOTION AND EXPERTISE, TIRELESS COMMITMENT.
THE TWO OF YOU HAVE SHOWCASED, SHAPED US INTO THE FIREFIGHTERS WE ARE TODAY.
YOU'VE NOT ONLY TAUGHT US THE SKILLS WE NEED TO SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, WHICH YOU INSTILLED IN US THE VOWS OF HONOR, TEAMWORK, AND RESILIENCE.
YOU TREAT US WITH LOVE AND RESPECT.
YOU CONNECT WITH US ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.
ALWAYS PICK UP THE PHONE, ANSWER EVERY QUESTION, AND SHOWCASE YOUR LOVE FOR THIS DEPARTMENT.
YOU GENUINELY CARED FOR US, AND YOU WOULD RANDOMLY ASK US IF WE WERE OKAY AND SEE HOW WE WERE DOING.
IF YOU SENSE SOMETHING WAS WRONG, YOU WERE THE VOICE OF REASON, THE GOD AND LIKE, AND THE SAVING GRACE FOR OUR CLASS.
YOU PUSH US TO BE BETTER, NOT JUST AS FIREFIGHTERS, BUT AS MEN, FATHERS, SONS AND HUSBAND.
WE ARE, WE ARE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU AS SUCH PASSIONATE AND SUCH SKILLED INSTRUCTORS GUIDING US EVERY STEP OF AWAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PREPARING US TO FACE CHALLENGES AHEAD NOW TO MY FELLOW GRADUATES.
I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE CAMARADERIE AND THE SUPPORT AND BROTHERHOOD WE SHARE THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY.
WHEN WE FIRST WALKED THROUGH THESE DOORS AT THIS ACADEMY, WE WERE STRENGTH THROUGH EACH OTHER, BUT THROUGH RIGOROUS TRAINING, THE ACADEMIC LESSONS AND DRILLS AND THE COUNTLESS HOURS OF STUDYING IT, WE CAME TO LOVE EACH OTHER.
WE FACE CHALLENGES TOGETHER, PUSH US TO BE BETTER AND FORM BOMBS THAT LAST A LIFETIME.
WE'VE BEEN AT EACH OTHER'S HOUSES, BEEN AROUND EACH EACH OTHER'S SPOUSES MET EACH OTHER'S CHILDREN, EVEN SHARED RIDICULOUS NICKNAMES WITH EACH OTHER, LIKE BULLET OR BEANS OR SUGAR BEAR,
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WE ARE MORE THAN JUST CLASSMATES.AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THE CITY OF HOUSTON JUST GOT BETTER TODAY.
AND IT IS GONNA BE IN GOOD HANDS TODAY.
WE TOUCH THOSE STREETS AND I CANNOT BE PROUDER TO STAND ALONGSIDE, ALONGSIDE OF ALL OF YOU AS WE TAKE THIS NEXT STEP TOGETHER.
IT WILL NOT BE RIGHT IF TODAY WE DO NOT PAUSE AND REMEMBER SOMEBODY THAT ME AND MY CLASSMATES GAINED AS A BROTHER TODAY.
IF WE DON'T HONOR FIREFIGHTER MARCELO GARCIA III, WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN A LINE OF DUTY.
FIREFIGHTERS, GARCIA'S, COURAGE, ALLEGIANCE, AND SELFLESSNESS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
HE STOOD READY TO PROTECT OTHERS, NO MATTER THE PERSONAL CAUSE, AND GAVE HIS LIFE, SERVING HIS COMMUNITY.
AS WE GRADUATE TODAY, WE ALSO CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THE 23 BRAVO SHIFT AS WE VOW TO CARRY FORWARD HIS SPIRIT, BRAVERY AND COMMITMENT.
AND FINALLY, I WANT TO REMIND YOU GUYS OF SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S THE BADGE WE RECEIVE TODAY.
IT SYMBOLIZES HONOR, DUTY, AND TRADITION.
IT'S NOT JUST A SYMBOL OF YOUR SKILLS, BUT A REMINDER THAT YOUR JOB IS ONE OF THE MOST NOBLE AND ESSENTIAL IN OUR SOCIETY.
EVERY LIFE YOU SAVE, EVERY PERSON YOU HELP, AND EVERY COMMUNITY YOU SERVE WILL BE THE TRUE MEASURE OF YOUR SUCCESS.
SO LET'S GO OUT THERE AND STEP INTO OUR ROLES AS, AS FIREFIGHTERS WITH COURAGE, COMMITMENT, AND COMPASSION, AND WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THIS NOBLE PATH.
THANK YOU AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
AS I SAID, WE GOT, UH, TWO SETS OF FOLKS HERE, UH, THAT WE'RE PROUDLY WELCOMING TO THE FAMILY.
UH, AND WE'D LIKE TO, UH, BRING UP ANOTHER SPEAKER, UH, FROM, FROM THE OTHER CLASS.
SO, UH, ASHLEY PALMER, COME ON UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS.
I GOTTA OPEN MY PHONE, MY SPEECH ON HERE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
THANK Y'ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY.
MY NAME'S ASHLEY PALMER, AND I AM REPRESENTING REHIRE CLASS 0 0 1.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY.
THERE IS A SAYING THAT GOES HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.
BUT TODAY I'D LIKE TO EXPAND ON THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES HOME IS MORE THAN A BUILDING OR A HOUSE.
IT'S A FEELING LIKE A WARM EMBRACE.
IT'S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT RETURNING TO THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT MEANS.
AND I HOPE THAT I CAN DO MY FELLOW CLASSMATES JUSTICE BY THE WORDS I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.
AS WE STARTED SEVEN WEEKS AGO, WE SHARED MANY STORIES, A LOT OF WHICH Y'ALL CONSUME, HAD TO DO WITH WHY WE LEFT.
SOME OF THE REASONS WERE FAMILY, MILITARY, AND OTHER VARIOUS REASONS.
BUT I CAN STAND HERE TODAY AND TELL YOU THAT NOT ONE OF US DIDN'T LEAVE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T LOVE THE JOB.
IF YOU EVER MEET A FIREFIGHTER AND HEAR THEM SAY, BEST JOB I EVER HAD TO DESCRIBE BEING A FIREFIGHTER, BELIEVE THEM BECAUSE IT'S THAT LOVE THAT BROUGHT US BACK.
RETURNING WAS AN EASY CHOICE WHEN PRESENTED WITH THIS UNIQUE AND HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO A PLACE THAT HOLDS SO MUCH MEANING AND FAMILIARITY.
IT'S WHERE WE FIND PURPOSE, WHERE WE GROW AS PEOPLE AND IN OUR CAREERS AND WHERE WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE THAN JUST COWORKERS.
WE ARE TRULY A BROTHER AND A SISTERHOOD.
WHEN YOU LEAVE A PLACE LIKE THIS, A PART OF YOU LINGERS BEHIND, ALWAYS WONDERING IF YOU WILL FIND THE SAME IN ANOTHER JOB.
IF YOU FIND THAT SAME FEELING IN ANOTHER JOB, AND WE CAN TELL YOU NO, YOU WON'T.
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WE ARE CONNECTED TO THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT, TO THE FACES, THE CALLS, THE HISTORIC OR THE HISTORY SHARED.ALL THE ELEMENTS COMBINED MAKE IT FEEL LIKE WE'RE RETURNING NOT TO JUST A JOB, BUT TO SOMETHING SUCH, SO MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL OUR HOME.
THERE'S AN UNEXPLAINABLE FEELING OF BEING A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER.
AND IF YOU ASK SOME OF US, WE CAN TELL YOU, EVEN GOING TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT WON'T FILL THAT VOID.
TO BE HONEST THOUGH, IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER, YOU JUST WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND.
AND I TRULY CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS WHAT IT MEANS.
I CAN TELL YOU IT'S A SENSE OF PRIDE, HONOR, COMMITMENT, AND REPUTATION.
IT'S A MENTALITY, AN ATTITUDE.
IT'S A SWAG YOU HAVE WHEN YOU JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING GREATER.
IN THIS WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION, IT IS HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS, BUT I KNOW WHEN I LOOK AT MY BROTHERS, WE JUST KNOW.
WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HOME.
AS WE STEP BACK INTO OUR ROLES, WE FEEL A RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE.
WE ARE REUNITED AND REIGNITED, AND IT FEELS OH, SO GOOD.
EXCITED FOR WORK AHEAD, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WE GET TO WORK ALONGSIDE.
IT'S NOT JUST THE CALLS WE RUN AND THE TRAINING THAT MAKE THIS PLACE SPECIAL.
IT'S THE RELATIONSHIPS, THE CAMARADERIE, AND THE SUPPORT WE GIVE EACH OTHER EVERY DAY.
IN CLOSING, AND ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHERS AND I, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FIRE CHIEF.
THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, FOR BELIEVING IN US, AND FOR STARTING SOMETHING NEVER DONE TO OUR COMMAND STAFF AND TO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR COMMAND STAFF.
THANK Y'ALL FOR HELPING TO EXPEDITE THIS PROCESS AND BEING SO DILIGENT AND SUPPORTIVE OF US.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ON THE STREET.
THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING US AGAIN WITH OPEN ARMS. WE LOVE YOU GUYS.
MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, CAPTAIN AC THANK YOU FOR YOUR MENTORSHIP, YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR GUIDANCE, AND YOUR SUPPORT.
WE ARE INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND WE COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER OFFICER.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING HERE TODAY BECAUSE ALL OF YOU ARE NOT ONLY A PART OF THEIR JOURNEY, BUT YOU'RE A PART OF OURS.
AND THIS IS EXACTLY THE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE STEPPING INTO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR STORY AS WE RETURN TO OUR HOME, THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OKAY, SO, UH, I, I'VE GOT A A I'VE GOT A PICTURE ON MY NIGHTSTAND AND IT'S A PICTURE OF MY SON AND HE'S REACHING UP, TRYING TO GIVE ME A BADGE.
IT WAS ONE OF MY PROMOTIONS AND I WAS BENDING OVER AND HE'S REACHING ON HIS TIPPY TOES TO PUT THIS BADGE ON MY SHIRT.
AND THAT PICTURE MEANS A LOT TO ME.
UH, IT EPITOMIZES WHO I AM, YOU KNOW, MY, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, MY FAMILY, MY CAREER, THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SACRIFICE IT TOOK TO, UH, STAY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE THE SACRIFICE THAT MY FAMILY HAD TO ENDURE.
AND AS MUCH AS THAT PICTURE MEANS TO ME, I KNOW IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO Y'ALL, BUT I'D LIKE TO GIVE IT SOME CONTEXT.
WHEN THAT PICTURE WAS TAKEN, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON IN MY PERSONAL LIFE.
MY SON WAS MIDWAY THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN
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MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.WE HAD JUST SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR OUR PAY AND UH, WORK ENVIRONMENT.
THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE DID IT.
SINCE THAT PICTURE WAS TAKEN, MY SON MADE IT THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MADE IT THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL, GRADUATED CLEAR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, AND IN MAY IT GRADUATED FROM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY WITH HONORS AND NOW WORKS FOR A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.
A LOT OF PERSONAL LIFE CHANGES HAPPENED SINCE THAT PICTURE.
NOT SO MUCH PROFESSIONAL UNTIL SOMETHING CHANGED.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY, UH, A COUPLE OF WORDS FOR US CHANGED EVERYTHING THIS PAST SUMMER AND WE SIGNED THE SECOND CONTRACT WITH MY CAREER.
HE'S BEEN THE BIGGEST PROPONENT OF THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE 28 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.
AND I WOULD LIKE FOR A WARM WELCOME TO MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER.
YOU KNOW WHAT? EVERYBODY IS TOO, TOO SERIOUS IN HERE FOR ME.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I WANT THE FAMILIES TO APPLAUD THE CADETS OR CADETS.
I DON'T WANT TO GET YOU IN TROUBLE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTORS, BUT I THINK YOU OWE YOUR FAMILIES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
WHY DON'T YOU STAND UP AND LOOK AT YOUR FAMILY AND THANK 'EM FOR BEING HERE AND RAISING YOU TO BE OUTSTANDING.
HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS, PERFECT PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, PARTNERS, SPOUSES, SIBLINGS, YOU'VE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
I'M UP HERE LOOKING AT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND IT'S IMPRESSIVE.
ACTUALLY HELPS ME FULFILL MY CAMPAIGN PLEDGE OF A YEAR AGO.
'CAUSE WE NEEDED HELP WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
PREVIOUS FOLKS HAD NOT RESPECTED OUR FIREMEN AND FIRE LADIES.
WE PUT A BENEFIT PACKAGE TOGETHER AND HERE'S A RESULT, CONDENSED.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME KEEP MY PROMISE TO KEEP THIS SAFE, THIS CITY SAFE.
BUT LIKE I SAID, FAMILIES, YOU'RE GRADUATING TODAY TOO.
WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO HEAR STORIES.
I WISH I COULD ACTUALLY HEAR EACH ONE OF THESE CADETS TELL ME HOW THEY GOT TO THIS PLACE IN LIFE.
AND THE GOOD THING IS, YOU MADE IT.
I'M GONNA TELL YOU A QUICK STORY.
LYNDON JOHNSON WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1963.
HE TOOK OVER AFTER THE TRAGEDY OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S SHOOTING.
SO LYNDON JOHNSON HAD BEEN A POWERFUL US SENATOR FOR YEARS, FOR YEARS.
AND HE WAS FROM TEXAS IN THE SOUTH.
IT WAS SEGREGATED WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD THAN WHAT WE EXPERIENCED IN OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY TODAY.
BUT HE MET WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THEY CAME UP WITH A DRAFT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT THAT WAS GOING TO IMPROVE OUR NATION, STRIVE FOR EQUALITY.
AND LYNDON JOHNSON'S ASSISTANCE, YOU GOTTA UNDERSTAND, HE'S A TEMPORARY PRESIDENT.
HE IS GOT RUN FOR REELECTION IN 1964.
IN 63, WHEN HE WAS LOOKING AT THE DRAFT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, WHICH WAS GONNA CHANGE OUR NATION FOREVER.
HE HAD STAFFORD SAID, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU SIGN THAT LEGISLATION AND YOU'LL NEVER GET REELECTED.
IT'S TOO BOLD, IT'S TOO PROGRESSIVE.
SO IF YOU SIGN IT, YOU WON'T GET REELECTED.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON LOOKED AT HIS STAFF AND SAID, WHY BE PRESIDENT IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO SOMETHING WITH THE OFFICE? AND I WANT EVERYBODY HERE TO REMEMBER THAT LESSON IN LIFE.
ALL OF US ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
I CAN LOOK AT FAMILY MEMBERS HERE, YOUR JOBS, YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR MINISTERS.
YOU GO THROUGH THE LINE, THESE FUTURE FIREFIGHTERS, THE MESSAGE TODAY AND WHY WE'RE CELEBRATING THIS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE IS CONDENSED.
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YOU'RE HERE, YOU MADE IT.SO LET ME SEE YOU DO SOMETHING WITH IT.
YOU'RE GONNA PROTECT HOUSTONIANS.
IT'S THE REASON I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.
BUT I ALSO WANT YOU TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
I'VE BEEN WITH FIREFIGHTERS IN THE GOOD AND THE BAD TIMES.
LOOK OUT FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF.
LET ME JUST TELL YOU, I WORK ON PROBLEMS EVERY DAY.
WATER PIPES, BROKEN PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HAVE A NONSTOP JOB, MOSTLY WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS TODAY THOUGH.
I GET TO COME SEE SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING AND THAT'S PART OF MY CELEBRATION.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT'S WORKING, OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE WORKING.
I GOT CITY COUNCILMAN WILLIE DAVIS CITY, COUNCILMAN CASTILLO HERE.
WE HAVE A GREAT CITY AND GREAT PEOPLE.
NOW WE HAVE A GREAT FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LET'S GO TO WORK WHEN WE LEAVE HERE.
AND BE PROUD OF OUR CITY, OUR CITIZENS, AND THE CADETS THAT ARE MAKING US SO PROUD TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
COULD HAVE BEEN A CHEERLEADER TOO.
OKAY, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS YOUR NEW BOSS.
UH, BEEN A FRIEND AND A MENTOR FOR A LONG TIME.
FIRE CHIEF THOMAS MUNOZ AND HOW DO YOU BEAT THAT, RIGHT? UM, THANK YOU MAYOR FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU'VE GIVEN US.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, TO EVERYONE OUT IN THE CROWD AND HERE TODAY, WELCOME.
SAW THE MAYOR, GIVE THE FAMILIES AND ALL THE, THE LOVED ONES A GREAT SHOUT OUT.
THAT IS BECAUSE ZERO THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT ALLOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY.
ALSO WANT TO TAKE THE TIME, AS I SAID BEFORE, TO THANK MAYOR WHITMEYER FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT.
AS HE'S MENTIONED BEFORE, WE HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE STILL DO.
BUT IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A BOSTON CITY LEADERSHIP THAT SUPPORTS YOU.
ALSO, I WANNA RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO DAVIS AND COUNCIL MEMBER PECK FOR ALL THE GREAT SUPPORT YOU'VE GIVEN THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, COUNCILMAN DAVIS.
UH, THERE'S STILL A SPOT FOR YOU IN THE ACADEMY, SIR.
SO I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.
WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK UNTIL I'VE DONE, WHEN THE MAYOR TOLD US, GET IT DONE, HE NEVER SAID HOW.
AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE DEDICATED WORK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU DOES, AS WELL AS THE INSTRUCTORS.
CHIEF BROWN, CHIEF WEST, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
SO MANY THANK YOUS FOR TODAY, BUT NOW IT'S FOR IMPORTANTLY TO YOU.
IN A COUPLE OF MOMENTS, YOU'LL BE GETTING YOUR BADGE AND I REALLY WANT YOU TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THAT BADGE.
IT'S NOT AN IRONY THAT IT'S OVER YOUR HEART.
YOU KNOW, ONE PERSON THAT'S MADE A LOT OF THIS POSSIBLE TOO IS MARTY LANGTON AND I, WE HAVE THE AGREEMENTS AND THE DISCUSSIONS OF PROFESSIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND DISCUSSIONS TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE HERE.
TO ALSO PUT THE BADGE AND TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IT MEANS.
I REALLY NEED YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
WHEN YOU PIN IT ON THAT BADGE NOW REPRESENTS PRIDE, RESPECT, HONOR, TRADITION.
YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE THIRD LARGEST APARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
THIRD LARGEST, YOU'RE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, YOU KNOW, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT AS I WAS WALKING DOWN THE, THE AUDITORIUM, WELL, I SAW SOME GREAT, GREAT FIREFIGHTERS HERE.
CAPTAINS, CAPTAIN MADDEN, CAPTAIN REED CCY.
AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? LEGACY.
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YOU'RE NOW A NEW LEGACY THAT IS STARTING ANOTHER TRADITION.SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WAKING UP IN THE MORNING AND ASKING YOURSELF, WHY AM I DOING THIS? AND YOU ALWAYS COME UP WITH THE ANSWER TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS.
I KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT TRAINING AND THE DIFFICULTIES THAT CAME WITH IT, BUT YOU KNOW, I SAW SOME PARENTS HERE AND JUST LIKE MYSELF, I AM A FATHER AND I NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR BABY.
AND THE REASON I, I, I GOT MY OWN SON GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN MAY, AND I HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN THE MILITARY.
AND IT HITS YOU THAT YOUR BABY IS NOW A PERSON WHO'S ABOUT TO GET A BADGE THAT REPRESENTS BRAVERY, BEING A HERO.
YOUR BABY WHO IS NOW GOING TO BE A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER, YOUR LOVED ONE HAS CHOSEN A CAREER WHERE HE OR SHE PUTS THEMSELVES BEFORE OTHERS.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND.
YOUR BABY, JUST LIKE MINE, GAVE ME HEADACHES, HEARTACHES, GRIEF, GRAY HAIR.
BUT GUESS WHAT? YOUR BABY IS ONE OF THE FEW, ONE OF THE PROUD WHO HAS CHOSEN TO PUT HIS OR HER LIFE BEFORE.
WHAT A GREAT HONOR AS A PARENT TO SAY.
MY SON, MY DAUGHTER'S A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER.
AND HERE'S THE BEST PART ABOUT IT.
ALL OF US HERE IN THIS COMMAND SAMPLE WILL TELL YOU THAT WE DON'T COME TO WORK A SINGLE DAY.
WE DO WORK, MAYOR, WE DO WORK, BUT WE LOVE WHAT WE DO.
WHAT A GREATER HONOR TO WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO.
SO AS THE FAMILIES, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT ALONG WITH THAT.
THE SACRIFICES HERE TO TELL YOU, AS YESTERDAY, MYSELF, CHIEF DAVIS AND CHIEF CAMPBELL WERE PROMOTING SOMEONE, AND I THANKED HIS WIFE FOR THE SACRIFICES, THE MISSED BIRTHDAYS AND MISSED HOLIDAYS, MISSED ANNIVERSARIES SO MUCH, RIGHT? BUT LOOK AT IT AS THEIR DUTY OF WHAT THEY'VE CHOSEN, BECAUSE NOW YOUR BABY IS WAKING UP NOW TO PUT HIS OR HER LIFE BEFORE OTHERS.
AS I SAID IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES, EVERYTHING YOU'VE WORKED SO HARD FOR ALL THE PAIN, THE SWEAT, THE TEARS HAS FINALLY PAID OFF.
IT WAS A HUGE MEANING FOR ME TODAY BECAUSE WHEN I WAS TALKING TO CHIEF CAMPBELL, AS WE DO EVERY MORNING, AND CHIEF DAVIS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMAND STAFF THAT I BOTHER AT FIVE IN THE MORNING, WE REALIZE THAT NOW YOU'RE THE FIRST PIECE TO TURN THE CURVE.
AS THE MAYOR SAID, A NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT, A NEW SUPPORT SYSTEM.
WE'RE LOOKING AT HISTORY BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, WORLD CLASS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT.
SO AS YOU SET THE NEW STANDARDS, REMEMBER THE INTEGRITY, THE PROFESSIONALISM, THAT ALL EYES ARE ON US NOW, THAT BADGE NOW AMPLIFIES YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL IN OUR CITY.
SO IN CLOSING, BE EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO JOIN THE BIGGEST FAMILY THAT YOU'LL EVER HAVE.
THE BIGGEST FRATERNITY, THE BIGGEST SORORITY THAT YOU'LL EVER HAVE FROM THIS POINT ON, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, THE WORLD.
AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, THEY WILL EMBRACE YOU AS THEIR OWN.
'CAUSE THAT IS THE PRIDE THAT THAT BADGE, THAT PATCH CARRIES.
[00:35:01]
DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOU.YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A COMMAND STAFF THAT WILL SUPPORT YOU DAY AND NIGHT.
YOU HAVE A LOCAL 3 41 UNION THAT WILL SUPPORT YOU DAY AND NIGHT.
SO CLASS OF 2024 A, THE FIRST REHIRED CLASS, 24 1.
AND AS THE MAYOR ALWAYS SAYS, LET'S GET TO WORK.
OKAY, THIS IS, UH, THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE CEREMONY.
UH, SHE'S BEEN A FRIEND OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.
AND I JUST LOVE, UH, WHEN SHE COMES UP HERE, SHE, SHE MAKES THE CEREMONY VERY SPECIAL.
AND I'D LIKE TO WELCOME TO GIVE THE OATH OF OFFICE AND TO SAY A FEW WORDS, JUDGE ELAINE MARSHALL.
I, UM, AS A JUDGE HAVE ONE ROLE, BUT FOR YOU ALL THAT ARE JOINING THE RANKS OF ONE OF THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
I HAVE THE CITIZEN PART OF IT.
AND, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND FOR THE FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.
YOUR LOVED ONES, YOUR SONS, YOUR DAUGHTERS, YOUR HUSBANDS, YOUR WIVES ARE GOING TO BE DOING, BECAUSE I HAD AN 87-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WHO JUST PASSED IN JANUARY, BUT IF I TELL YOU THAT THERE'S SOME KARMA GOING ON, BECAUSE EVERY TIME SHE KNEW I WAS COMING TO DO THIS, SHE'D SAY, TELL THOSE BABIES.
AND, AND A PICTURE OF HER JUST POPPED UP ON MY PHONE JUST WHEN I GOT HERE AND I WAS LIKE, WOW, YOU TRACKING ME LIKE AI OR WHAT?
YOU ALREADY KNOW YOUR, YOUR HEARTBREAK GOES DOWN.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO'VE HAD TO, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW THAT HELP IS ON THE WAY.
SO I WANNA THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND ALL THE CITIZENS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GO SERVE.
AND YOU'RE GOING TO GO SAVE THE FIRES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
BUT THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT MATTER.
AND TO ME, ON BEHALF OF HER AND ALL OF THE CITIZENS, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THIS, THIS GREAT DEPARTMENT FOR ALL OF THE STAFF AND ALL OF THE COMMAND STAFF.
THEY ARE THE BEST THAT I KNOW.
AND I JUST THANK YOU AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND I CAN'T JUST EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW YOU MATTER.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE, KNOW THAT YOU MATTER TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON.
SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR YOU ALL TO STAND.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HANDS WITH ME.
I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I'LL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE, THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.
A FIREFIGHTER FIREFIGHTER OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND WILL AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND.
LAWS OF THE CONSTITUTION, CONSTITUTION, AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND OF THIS STATE, OF THIS STATE.
I ALSO RECOGNIZE, I ALSO RECOGNIZE THE BADGE OF MY OFFICE, BADGE OF MY OFFICE AS A SYMBOL OF PUBLIC FAITH.
THAT'S A SYMBOL OF PUBLIC FAITH AND TRUST AND TRUST.
I WILL NEVER ALLOW, I'LL NEVER ALLOW MY PERSONAL FEELINGS, MY PERSONAL FEELINGS, NOR DANGER TO SELF, NOR DANGER TO SELF, TO DETER ME, TO DETERMINE FROM MY RESPONSIBILITIES, FROM MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER, AS A HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER.
CONGRATULATIONS AND MAKE GOD ALWAYS YOU.
[00:40:02]
ALL RIGHT.WE'VE, UH, COME TO A FUN PART.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE FIREFIGHTERS COME ON UP AND GET THEIR BADGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF.
UH, FIRST PAROLE, GO AHEAD AND HEAD ON OVER AND, UH, UH, CALL THE NAMES.
I'D LIKE TO BRING THE CLASS OFFICER, UH, BRANDON HODGES.
COME ON UP AND, AND CALL YOUR FIREFIGHTER AND GET HIS BADGE.
FIREFIGHTER BENJAMIN, UH,
FIREFIGHTER TERRY FONT FIREFIGHTER.
ISAIAH GARCIA, FIREFIGHTER PATRICK HA.
[00:45:06]
FIREFIGHTER AUSTIN JUAREZ.FIREFIGHTER JONATHAN MARCIA, FIREFIGHTER THOMAS PEREZ.
CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRAT SO MUCH.
FIREFIGHTER ALEX ROSALES, SIR.
[00:50:17]
THANK YOU.HONOR, FIREFIGHTER NICHOLAS VARGAS.
ROBERT FIREFIGHTER VINCENT BLAIR.
ON FIREFIGHTER BLAKE MERRIMAN.
[00:55:12]
FIREFIGHTER SEAN QUEENIE.THEY ASKED ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
UH, I DON'T READ OFF THE PAPER VERY WELL, SO I'M JUST GONNA COME THROUGH MY HEART.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THANKSGIVING NOW TONIGHT AND A LOT OF, A LOT OF GRATITUDE GIVEN.
AND THEY'RE ALL WELL DESERVED FROM THE MAYOR HELPING US OUT.
PROMISE OF MADE PROMISE KEPT TO CHIEF MUNOZ.
UH, WE KNOW YOU'RE FIGHTING EVERY DAY FOR US.
WE LOVE YOU TO, UH, MARTY, WE KNOW YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR US.
TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANKS FOR Y'ALL'S SUPPORT TO THE COMMAND STAFF.
THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING US IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM FOR AFTER MANY YEARS OF TRYING.
UM, TWO, THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND LOVED ONES OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.
I KNOW Y'ALL BEEN THANKED, BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THAT WE THANK NUMBER ONE IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
AND THEN WE AFTER THAT, WE THANK Y'ALL BECAUSE IF WAS NOT, WAS NOT FOR Y'ALL'S SUPPORT, YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND LOVED ONES WOULDN'T BE IN FRONT OF Y'ALL TONIGHT.
UH, TO THE REHIRES, THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING BACK.
THANK Y'ALL FOR HELPING ME IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM AND GETTING THROUGH IT.
UM, TO THE CADETS, THANK Y'ALL FOR BUYING THE PROGRAM.
I'M GONNA LET Y'ALL KNOW, UH, IN A COUPLE WEEKS, IT'LL BE 22 YEARS AGO THAT I LEARNED WHEN I'VE JOINED THIS GREAT FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT YOU'RE GONNA BE GIVEN TASK AND ASSIGNMENTS.
AND, UM, WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE THESE TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS, YOU'RE GONNA COME INTO PROBLEMS. AND I LEARNED THEN A LONG TIME AGO, THERE'S NO, THERE'S ONE MAN IN THIS AUDITORIUM THAT DOESN'T DESERVE ANY THANKS.
IT'S BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A TASK AND ASSIGNMENT TO REHIRE AND RETRAINED THE REHIRES.
AND WITHOUT THEIR HELP, WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.
AND THEN ALONG THOSE TASK AND ASSIGNMENTS IN YOUR CAREER, YOU'RE GONNA COME ACROSS PROBLEMS AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO MITIGATE THOSE PROBLEMS. SO TONIGHT I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A TASK AND ASSIGNMENT.
I WANT YOU TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON EVERY DAY, EVERY SHIFT, EVERY TOUR, EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH, AND EVERY YEAR OF YOUR CAREER.
AND YOU'RE GONNA COME ACROSS PROBLEMS IN YOUR CAREER.
WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO COMPLETE THIS TASK AND ASSIGNMENT, YOU, IT'S YOUR JOB TO MITIGATE IT.
'CAUSE NOT ONLY ARE YOU GONNA COME ACROSS ON EMS SCENES, FIRE SCENES AROUND THE STATIONS AND YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, BUT IF YOU DO THAT, YOU WILL BECOME NOT ONLY BETTER HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER, YOU'LL BECOME A HOUSTON, YOU'RE, YOU'LL BECOME A BETTER PERSON IN LIFE.
'CAUSE TONIGHT YOU DON'T JOIN THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY.
YOU DON'T JOIN THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE.
YOU DON'T JOIN THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
YOU'RE JOINING THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD.
WE'RE A WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION.
UH, THE END OF OUR, UH, PROGRAM.
WE LIKE TO, UH, REWARD EXCELLENCE, UH, AT THE ACADEMY.
AND, UH, WE GIVE AN GENERALLY AN ACADEMIC AWARD AND A PHYSICAL, A FITNESS AWARD.
[01:00:01]
UH, AND I'M NOT GONNA GIVE AN ACADEMIC OR A PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD TO THE REHIRES.THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH CLASSES AND THEY DIDN'T WIN THOSE AWARDS THEN.
SO, UH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE THAT DO STUFF SPECIAL.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO, THE ACADEMIC AWARD GOES TO GARRETT DYER COMING UP HERE, UH, FOR THIS NEXT AWARD.
WE'VE GOT, UH, UH, A PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD AND SOMEBODY THAT, UH, TOOK ON THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS GROUP.
AND IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB.
UH, I ALWAYS SAY IT'S A LOT OF RESPONSIB, A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND NO AUTHORITY.
UH, AND HE TOOK IT ON AND HE KEPT THIS MOTLEY CREW TOGETHER.
UH, AND I, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
SO THE PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD AND THE LEADERSHIP AWARD GOES TO FIREFIGHTER MCCUNE.
I'M GONNA, UH, BRING THE CLASS OFFICER, UH, UP HERE TO DISMISS HIS CLASS, UH, FOR THE LAST TIME.
UH, AND, UH, GONNA GIVE SOME INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU, UH, FOLKS WHEN THE, UH, WHEN HE DISMISSES THE CLASS, THE, UH, PROGRAM IS OVER.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE AND CELEBRATING THIS TIME WITH US.
AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, JUAN, COME ON UP HERE.
IT WAS, UH, IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WITH YOU GUYS.
UH, ANYTHING THAT I'VE SAID TO YOU, I KNOW I'VE GIVE Y'ALL PLENTY OF SPEECHES THROUGHOUT THE TIME Y'ALL ARE HERE.
AND I HOPE YOU TAKE AT LEAST MOST OF 'EM, THE HEART.
SO, UH, AT THIS TIME I'M GONNA ASK, UH, FIREFIGHTER MCCUNE TO STAND UP PLEASE ON YOUR FEET.
MAKE SURE YOU, UH, I WANT YOU TO WHAT THERE WANT YOU TO RELEASE THE CLASS FOR THE LAST TIME.
UH, MAKE SURE YOU SHOW UP TO DUTY ON TIME.