OS91 brings Challenger to Orlando

This afternoon at about 3:30, OS91 welcomed the living symbol of America, the bald Eagle Challenger, to Orlando  with a Police Motorcycle Escort provided by Orange County Sheriff's Office amidst the excitement of  the students of New Hope Christian Academy of Minneola, FL and Tri-L Christian Academy of Orlando, waving flags and cheering. 

Challenger and his handler, Al Cecere, Founder of the American Eagle Foundation

Challenger is here for OS91's 3rd Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders, which will be held at the Rosen Centre Wednesday, September 29th. Challenger will fly for all disabled and homebound Veterans, who can no longer fly themselves. Al was so touched by Orlando's welcome to Challenger saying, "The last time Challenger received a Police Escort was right after 9/11!" A heartfelt thanks to MEARS, for giving Challenger, Al and staff from the American Eagle Foundation a ride in style from OIA to the Hotel.

Challenger, Operation Safety 91 welcomes you!

Operation Safety 91 on TV 45 The Good Life

Operation Safety 91 on TV 45 The Good Life
The Good Life - Operation Safety 91 - GLB909 from The Good Life on Vimeo.

Watch OS91's Ed and Mary Ganster and SSG William Castillo, Purple Heart recipient on WTGL Tue. 9/14 and Fri. 9/17 @ 7:30 am, 12 N, 3pm, 8pm and Sun. 9/19@6 am.  Brighthouse Channel 19

OS91 on WTGL

Left to right: Carolyn Pankella, Ken Mikesell, Mary Ganster, Ed Ganster 

and SSG William Castillo

Watch OS91's Ed and Mary Ganster and SSG William Castillo, Purple Heart recipient on WTGL Tue. 9/14 and Fri. 9/17 @ 7:30 am, 12 N, 3pm, 8pm and Sun. 9/19@6 am.  Brighthouse Channel 19

Welcome Home SSG William Castillo, wife Katherine and family

 

SSG William Castillo receives home from Building Homes for Heroes   

Purple Heart recipient, SSG William Castillo and his family were presented with the gift of a home from Building Homes For Heroes this morning in Orlando. It was with great joy that family members, fellow Responders, Building Homes For Heroes partners, contractors, participating building volunteers, TV crews, newspaper photographers, students, friends and neighbors crowded the streets to share in the excitement of honoring a true American hero.

OS91 Founder, Ed Ganster congratulating William

The Castillo family was brought to the Event in a Fire truck and Emergency Vehicle and welcomed amidst enthusiastic cheers and claps. And just like on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition the crowd yelled, "Move that Firetruck!" for the great reveal: a beautiful retrofitted home with many features to make life easier for William, who lost his leg trying to save his buddies after their vehicle was blown up by an IED in Iraq.

"Move that Firetruck!!!"

William spoke and touched the hearts of all as he assured all present that he did not do what he did for thanks, but to defend our country.  He also honored the memory of the two brave young men who paid the ultimate price when they were attacked, introducing the mother and sisters of one of those men: David Kirkpatrick. Eleven year old daughter, Andrea, then took the microphone and thanked all who participated in the building/retrofitting process and then gave special thanks to Andy Pujol, founder of Building Homes for Heroes, represented by BHFH Board member, Chad. William emphasized that there are so many more soldiers who need homes and encouraged all of us to support Building Homes For Heroes.

View from balcony stairs

All were then invited to tour the home and enjoy seeing the results of the hours of labor so generously donated by a contractor, fellow responders and skilled laborers.

Testing the waters

Some students from New Hope Christian Academy, Minneola, FL

participated in Event

During the 2008-2009 School year, Operation Safety 91 brought William, along with local Responders, Law Enforcement and Firefighters to speak to the students of New Hope Christian Academy (NHCA), an ACE Scool  located  in Minneola, FL. http://operationsafety91.blogspot.com/2010/04/os91-brings-us-hero-william-castillo-to.html

Some of these students were able to attend this homecoming Event today, allowing them to experience first hand a true American hero and the fulfillment of the American dream for this courageous Army Ranger.

                                       

(Left to right) Chad of BHFH, William Castillo, cutie pie, Mary Ganster,

 Katherine Castillo and Ed Ganster, OS91 Founder

Operation Safety 91 congratulates William Castillo on this true blessing of a beautiful home just for him!

PS 91 Outreach to PR Police Dept by Al Castro, NY Regional Police

N. Y .C. TO PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPT; THIS WAS A GREAT OUTREACH !!!

PSALM 91 BOOKS AND POLICE OFFICER PRAYER CARDS HAND OUT TO THE HATILLO POLICE DEPT... POLICE OFFICER A.SANCHEZ IS A SISTER IN CHRIST. "WHAT A BLESSING TO GO INTO THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT." I SAID:  "LORD, PLEASE GRANT ME WISDOM. HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO THE WORLD IS A SAFER PLACE FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS, WHERE EVERYONE MAY FIND YOUR LOVE, YOUR GOODNESS AND YOUR GRACE."

TEARS ON MY FACE HERE AT HATILLO P.R.P.D.

WITH CHIEF L. LOPEZ, CO OF HQ.

GOD PLACED THE WORDS IN MY HEART !!!

Al Castro, President of N.Y.C. REGIONAL POLICE

PSALM 91 MINISTRY

NYPD Police Officers For Christ Communion Breakfast 5/1/10

GREETINGS,  AL CASTRO, PRESIDENT OF NYC REGIONAL POLICE
STATE TRUSTEE WITH NYS FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE H.Q.
A MEMBER OF THE NYPD POLICE OFFICERS FOR CHRIST ,
2010 ANNUAL COMMUNION BREAKFAST - SATURDAY MAY 1, AT 8:45 AM TO 12:00 PM ...

Blessings AL Castro, P.P.S.
WWW.OPERATIONSAFETY91.BLOGSPOT.COM

TESTIMONIES FROM ORGANIZATIONS

http://www.newyorkregionalpolice.org/

Info@NewYorkRegionalPolice.Org

Stories of Faith and Courage From Firefighters and First Responders

Dear friends and family of FCFI:

We are excited that a soon-to-be newly released book: 

Stories of Faith and Courage From Firefighters and First Responders will be available the first of September.

We were blessed to take stories from first responders across the world and compile them into a 365 daily devotional that recounts calls and experiences from first responders and how they saw and felt God's hand.

    

With many stories from FCFI members who have “been there,” this book serves as a daily reminder that God is with us in even the most tragic calls. When armed with God’s protective shield and grounded in His Word and prayer, we are never alone, because God is with us. It is designed to inspire, encourage, challenge and provide daily food for thought and prayers directly from the hearts of first responders.  Though the stories come from those in fire departments, EMS, and dispatch units across the world, they are applicable to civil servants in the police and military service as well as the general public.

            

This is a great resource for personal as well as chapter devotionals. And what a great Christmas gift!

You can learn more about Stories of Faith and Courage From Firefighters and First Responders at http://firefightersfirstresponders.com/ 

If you order the books through FCFI, the ministry will benefit from your order. AMG Publishers have graciously offered to ship the books from their warehouse as soon as they arrive in early Sept.

If you want a copy signed by us, (the compilers / authors (I use that term liberally since the authors are those who sent in their stories) let us know and we will sign and send them to you from our home/office. That is no problem at all. (Maybe even an ego booster! HA!)

We are excited and thankful that we were able to be a part of this outreach tool.

Blessings,

Sue and Gay Reynolds,

Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International

Fire Captain spreads PS 91 message beyond his Responders

I wanted to take a moment and share something with you.  On July 19, my wife Shelly and I taught Vacation Bible School at our home church “Sonrise” in Santee California.  It was a kindergarten class and we had almost 75 kids in our class.  As I told you before I ordered the books, we would be handing out the “Toddler Psalm 91” books to our class on the last day. 

Enclosed is a photo of the children holding the books.  They really appreciate the books.  I read it to them on the last day and they loved it! 

I hope you are doing well.   Thanks again!    

Kendal E. Bortisser

Fire Captain

San Miguel Fire District

Spring Valley, CA  91978

Installation of new Officers for DAV and DAVA Chapter 16

Left to right: James Sursley (outgoing Commander), 
OS91 Founding Chaplain Lyle Schmeiser, 

and incoming Commander Brad Brouters

Central Florida Chapter and Unit 16 thanks past National Commander and immediate Past State Commander James Sursely and outgoing officers and welcomes incoming Commander Brad Bouters and incoming officers.

Swearing in of DAVA Chapter 16 Commander Jean Sursely and other officers

Thank you for your service! OS91 appreciates the Orlando DAV and DAVA Chapter 16 and we pray for you daily. Congratulations to all! Thank you, Chaplain Lyle for your invitation!

Christian Chamber hosts Col. Danny McKnight

Ret. Col. Danny McKnight with Ed Ganster

Retired US Army Colonel Danny McKnight was featured as guest speaker today at The Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Faith Hall at 1st Baptist Orlando. Colonel McKnight is a true American hero and has been awarded the Legion of Merit (2OLC), the Bronze Star Medal W/V Device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (5OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/Arrowhead and Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Ranger Tab, The Master Parachutist Badge w/Bronze Star and the Pathfinder Badge. It was an honor for Ed to meet Colonel McKnight at this luncheon and present him with the book, Psalm 91: God's Shield of Protection, Military Version, by Peggy Joyce Ruth. Thank you for your service, Colonel, and know that OS91 prays for you daily!
http://www.dannymcknight.com/index.htm
http://www.cfchristianchamber.com/

OS91 Partner Chaplains in Mobile, AL

Chaplain Kenny Davis 

and OS91 Founders, Ed and Mary Ganster

Rev. Kenneth Davis (far right) of Mobile County Metro Jail in Mobile, AL, has been a faithful partner of Operation Safety 91 for two years. Chaplain Kenny, once an inmate in the jail where he now is Chaplain, devotes himself to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the inmates at this location as well as two prisons in the same city. Ed and Mary were privileged to have two visits with this extraordinary Chaplain, one of which was a tour of the Chapel where he preaches and teaches the Word of God to those inmates who are ready to listen. 

A great joy to us was seeing the resources which Kenny distributes both inside and outside of the Prisons in Mobile and how few he had remaining from his palette delivery just a few days before! Chaplain Kenny has a real heart for those who he serves and truly devotes his life to his God given mission. Kenny also distributes Ps 91, God's Shield of Protection not only to the Correction Officers at all three facilities, but to the Law Enforcement Officers and Police men and women in Mobile. 

While visiting in the prison, Chaplain Kenny introduced us to another Chaplain, Rev. Bill Fortenberry, who jumped right in and joined OS91 as a Chaplain partner to get the message out concerning God's Covenant of Protection in Psalm 91. Mary came home with two large orders for these wonderful men to distribute.

It was more than a joy to be with you, Kenny and thank you for introducing us to Bill. Know that you are in our prayers daily! We pray we find many, many more just like you!

Rev. Bill Fortenberry with Ed and Mary