Chaplains of Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement, Military or any Christian Patriot

Chaplains of Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement, Military or any Christian Patriot

Public Employees Face Different Kind of Risk

Tina Brewer's letter to the editor on Feb. 16 states that public employees receive their pensions after 20 or 30 years without assuming any of the risks that she and her husband faced building their business and acquiring rental properties. When something goes wrong, who will she call — her real-estate agent, her lawyer?

No, it will be police officers or firefighters. When they arrive, they are expected to face down an armed thug or maybe a mental patient not taking his meds. None of the risks?

Before she begrudges our pensions, she should answer these questions: Would she or her husband run into a burning building to alert and bring out the people inside? Would they go into a dark warehouse at 3 a.m. when a silent alarm is tripped? Would they crawl through the blood and debris to pull someone out of a wrecked vehicle?

These are some of the things we routinely do for 20 or 30 years. Also, we aren't with our family and friends for holidays, and we work shifts around the clock. I'm sure Brewer never thought about these things. Police officers and firefighters are just there when needed.

Tom Ross Leesburg, Orlando Sentinel, February 24, 2010

 WINDERMERE NEVER FORGETS

9/11 Memorial Official World Trade Center Memorial Site Dedication - February 20, 2010

Jeff Cox

Jeff's parents behind him, Mayor Bruhn and his wife (left)

A 15 year old visionary, achiever and leader, Jeff Cox, member of Boy Scout Troop 6 had a dream which culminated today in Windermere, Florida in a magnificent memorial ceremony at the new site of the

Windermere Never Forgets 9/11 Monument.

Mayor introduces Byron Sutton,

CEO World Trade Center Orlando

Ed Ganster, Founder OS91

with father of Jeff Cox 

Ed Ganster with

Tico Perez BSA National Commissioner

9/11 Windermere Never Forgets Memorial

Jeff and Ed

 Brevard County Honor Guard

Mary Ganster with FDNY Responder

Ed Ganster with Patriot Guard Rider

Operation Safety 91 congratulates Jeff Cox, his parents, Mayor Bruhn and the City of Windermere and all involved

in the 9/11 Memorial for an outstanding achievement!

Scott Pruiksma, Founder and President of Interlocking Arms

Firefighter and member of FCFI

"The Psalm 91 Resourses have been a blessing and an avenue to further the Kingdom in a non -threatening way. I have been Blessed throughout the year to be able to attend many events throughout the New Jersey and at the Nation's Capitol. Some highlights were an all day Prayer event on the Whitehouse lawn called the Ellipse. A great day of fellowship and prayer for the Nation and its leaders. As a First Responder, I was able to pray Psalm 91 God's Shield of Protection for the Nation, for First Responders and for the Military. What an honor !!!! Afterwards I gave out all the Psalm 91 resources that I had brought with me. This years event will be on May 22 and I will be sure to bring more of the Psalm 91 Resources with me. Another event that I was honored to attend was at the United Nations at a Universal Peace Conference. I was acknowledged to speak and spoke on how we as Faith Leaders all need to work with each other and how everyone has something to contribute. As a firefighter I realize the importance of working together as a team, for the benefit of others. At this event there were many contacts made from all over the world and more of the Psalm 91 resources were distributed. Whenever I go into the City I make a point to stop at the local Firehouse. The Psalm 91 Military edition is a great gift for the First Responders to read and aneEncouragement to them. I would definitely say that these men and women who protect us are aware of the importance and power in Prayer. The most asked request is that you will remember them or a loved one in your prayers."

To contact Scott: InterlockingArms@aol.com

http://www.interlockingarms.net/

2nd Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders

American Heroes

Paulette Nelson of the USO, with William Castillo wounded warrior

Paulette Nelson, deployment coordinator for the USO in Savannah, Georgia, is pictured here holding the "Microsoft Above and Beyond Award" for her untiring efforts in the USO, serving our Military. "The USO here is one of the few in the world who is actually ON the tarmac when troops deploy and redeploy (come home). The USO (national) provides care bags for every soldier who is leaving." Operation Safety 91 was connected to Paulette through a wounded veteran of the Iraq War, William Castillo.  Paulette now includes in her care bags the Psalm 91 resources provided through OS91.

The "In God We Trust" Foundation

OS91 License Plate
Please honk and wave if you see us on the road!

The "In God We Trust" Foundation supports Florida's 1st Responders and the funds received from the sale of the license plate are dedicated to meeting the needs of FL Residents that are activly enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces, or in active duty as Police, Sheriff, Firefighter or EMT, as well as providing scholarships for children of our fallen heroes. For more information: www.ingodwetrustflorida.us. OS91 thanks The "In God We Trust" Foundation for helping to sponsor the 2nd Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy for Fire Fighter Paramedic Chad Lowery and the other four individuals who were injured yesterday in Oakland. My prayers go out to Lowery and the others sending God’s love, mercy, grace, and peace to them and their families. All Fire fighters, EMS, and Law Enforcement Officers are constantly in our prayers, in our thoughts, and on our minds. I thank the members of the board of Operation Safety 91 for their constant and unceasing effort to strengthen and comfort all of our first responders. When one of our very own is in pain, we all cry. As a part of my tears for this tragic incident I am dedicating this week’s Quote of the Week to begin the healing process. Let’s take a moment today to recognize and pray love and protection around all of those who place the safety and care of others above their own.

Chaplain Fred - Health Central, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Why Are We In Such A Hurry?

Google says that nearly 21 million have asked the very question that I am asking myself this morning. Of the few results that I sampled, most talked about speeding and reckless driving, that leads to a halt in rush hour traffic. Why are we risking our lives to be first to a traffic jam? An even better question is: Why are we putting everyone else’s lives in danger to be that first car in creeping traffic? Of greater concern is that this behavior is only a symptom of the more serious problem. We are living our lives at high speed. Life’s collisions and traffic jams have just as serious consequences as when we are in vehicular traffic… often worse.

Yesterday, an Orange County Fire Fighter Paramedic and four others were critically injured when an impatient driver decided not to slow down and use caution, drove around a parked fire truck, and into these five pedestrians who were in the process of rendering aid at an incident scene.

Today I would like everyone to stop, take a deep breath, and evaluate your lives. Are you moving so fast through life that others aren’t noticing you and you are not noticing them? Are you moving so fast that you can’t see the damage in your wake? What are your stress level, your blood pressure, and your emotional status? Most importantly what is your “full steam ahead” lifestyle doing to your relationships?

Beginning now is a good time to change. Besides its beauty, a rose has a delightful fragrance. But, you have to be stationary long enough to take in that aroma. People and relationships hold a fragrance, at least metaphorically, that you may enjoy. So bring life’s blur into focus and enjoy both the beauty and fragrance of life.

“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast "

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Act II, Scene III)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Chaplain Fred D. Wilcoxson PhD, PC, BCCC
Supervisor of Pastoral Care
Health Central
10,000 West Colonial Dr.
Ocoee, Florida 34761
407-296-1815
http://www.wccpe.org/
fred.wilcoxson@healthcentral.org
Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and Clinical Chaplain by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy
American Association of Christian Counselors certified Stress & Trauma Care (with Military application)

Army Chaplains Walter Frye and Darren Ayers

with OS91 Founders at Deploment Ceremony

Ed and Mary Ganster of Operation Safety 91 attended the deployment ceremony of a National Guard Unit on January 8, 2010 in Lakeland, Florida. It was a very touching ceremony with thousands of patriotic Americans, Veterans, and the heroic families who sacrifice their loved ones being at home for the good of our country. Subsequently, hundreds of free Psalm 91 resources were sent to the local Brigade headquarters for the protection of the soldiers.

Peggy Joyce Ruth with OS91 Cofounder

International author, speaker and Bible teacher, Peggy Joyce Ruth of  Brownwood, TX, recently met with Mary Ganster, co-founder of Operation Safety 91 in Orlando. Peggy Joyce is the author of five books on Psalm 91:

Psalm 91: God's Covenant of Protection
Psalm 91: God's Shield of Protection for Military
Psalm 91 Workbook
Psalm 91 for Youth
My Very Own Psalm 91 for Toddlers

Peggy Joyce has traveled to U.S. Military bases all over the U.S. and the world teaching our troops about the supernatural protection of Psalm 91.
http://www.peggyjoyceruth.org/

Highlights of 1st Annual Tribute to Honor Responders