She knocked on the door and it opened to reveal...

[superchef]

That mysterious place known as a firehouse. Over the past year, I have laughed with you as you were attacked by stopsigns, went flying down mountains (NJ),shared your joys as you married, became fathers and fathers to be, cried with you as you mourned the loss of of a brother,learned from you, but more than anything I have realized what a genuinely incredible group of people you are. The challenges you face are so much more than what you do as Firefighters. As someone who has always admired and respected the Fire Service my respect and admiration for you has more than doubled.

I just wanted to thank you for accepting me into your world. I have made many friends here and you mean so much to me. To Capt Gonzo and the IACOJ, I am humbled and honored to be a part of the IACOJ.

To Kiwi, Mrs Kiwi, baby Kiwi, Stayback, NJ, Tanker, CJ, to Motown, Mrs Motown and baby Motown (is he going to pop out bald, tattooed and speaking Galetic?),HFD66, Ohio and the many many brothers and friends I have here..I wish you all a safe warm holiday. Perhaps Santa will at least give me an early wish and we can end the year with no more LODD's.

From the deepest part of my heart, thank you for letting me into this mysterious place known as a firehouse. And to the Webteam, thank you too. After all, this is your firehouse.

Stay safe everyone, may the coming year bring all of you your wishes and hopes and dreams.


ps. I only wish I could cook a real meal for all of you.

[MalahatTwo7]

Pfire and I both wish you good times and happiness for the upcoming holiday season.

As for your wish to "cook" for us all one day.... sometimes it is good to be wary of the things you wish for.... they sometimes have a habit of coming true - but let me be the first to say that we would be very willing to accept your offer to cook for us, and I mean all of us. I have copied several of your receipes and look forward to attempting them.

Some day we will all meet face to face... I just hope that whatever community it happens to be in will able to withstand that many firefighters/ems/police types who are not on duty all at once!!!

Stay safe, and be Merry, or Chuck or Jane as your heart desires for at the particular time!

[Duffman]

As a newbie to the IACOJ I appreciate the kind words. Thanks RSPCT.

[Weruj1]

Dearest Cheffie,

I dont know you.............I have never pretended that. All I know is for the last 15 years is I have been and wanted to be a better firefighter. I have had much training and educatioon..........4 years ago I was asked to be Assistant Fire Chief...........it was quite an honor. I am glad you are a member of these forums as you can hopefully relate to what a FF does either full-time or volly to their community. No matter what, it takes alot of diligence and training to keep our members safe and NO MATTER WHAT !!We are grateful to send them home after every call.I am glad to have you all here in the event of a bad occurance for your advice. Cheffie from every FF here thank you for believeing in us ............and wishing us home safe.Gonzo ...............IACOJ does mean something to us with years in service. I can only hope to achieve this with your support..............be safe all ...........and have a GREAT holiday !

[jaybird210]

Cheffie, you do more than you know. You have cooked for all of us. By sharing these delicious recipes, you cook for us at a distance, every time we follow them.

[FlyingKiwi]

Cheffie.

Thanks from all of us down here, you help us to laugh when we need to.

An excellent meal recipe.

Ingredients as required.
1 x Cheffie to cook it.

We look forward to the day of our visit knowing it will happen someday.

Kia Kaha

[dfdNo9]

Cheffie,

The fire and emergency sevices have never had a better
friend. It is an honor to have such a friend, and sould
count ourselves lucky.

Thank You for your support and heart felt thoughts.

I wish you and all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday
and a Wounderful New Year!

Your Friend always
Joe

P.S. Sorry I missed you in NYC

[superchef]

Where is that blushing smiley Spiper sent me? I am touched to tears by your words. Thank you so much.

Spiper, come back soon. I miss you! Wishing you and Kelly a warm safe happy holiday.

[mdffemt]

Yes Cheffie I have enjoyed sharing all good and bad moments on these forums. Although I havent been on these forums all year I certainly have found another family and feel as if I know some of you as if I had met you in person. I hope to met some of you in person one day. Cheffie thanks for your support, I have enjoyed talking to you on fh and msn, thanks.

[NJFFSA16]

Cheffie...let me add my sentiments. You have been a wonderful contributor to these forums. Your wit and charm add so much to our threads. It was a great pleasure to meet you! Next time....jump on the engine...as it passes by...okay?

E ku`u hoaaloha...E pili mau nâ pômaika`i me `oe!

Me ka hali`a aloha... A hui hou,

Mele Kalikimaka! Hau’oli makahiki hou!


Translation

To my friend...best wishes!

Thinking (of you) with affection, until we meet again!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

[EastKyFF]

Well, Cheffie, we're just glad to have a buddy. Aren't we, everyone?

When I win the lottery, I'll mail plane tickets to everybody and have an IACOJ party here in Kentucky.

Until then, Cheffie, just post some pictures of your food. We got recipes out the wazoo, but no cookbook is complete without some "serving suggestions", as the cereal boxes say.

[CJMinick390]

Cheffie, thanks for the kind words. Hope we always live up to the image you have of us! My wish for you is that Santa fills your Christmas stocking with all of your heart's desires!

[Lewiston2FF]

Cheffie,
You have been there for so many of us either as a shoulder to lean on, or to laugh with us throught the good times. I too hope that we never do anything to sully the image you have of us. May Santa be as kind to you as you have been to us here! I hope you have a safe and Merry Christmas.

[superchef]

CJ and Lewis-There is nothing in this universe any of you could ever do that would tarnish what I know to be true about all of you in the Fire Services, whether you are in NZ or Australia or the US or the UK and let us not forget that awesome firehouse in heaven. May those who gave all rest in eternal peace.

Whatever would we do wihout you. You are God's gift to us.

EastKy, I'll have to get a digital camera for my computer. Hopefully sometime soon so I can post some pictures. (of the food that is)!

ps CJ do you think Santa would put a tiller in my stocking? Complete with all the attachments ( I believe it comes with 5 FF's!)

Hey I just made 700 posts. 300 more dinners and I'll crack 1000!

[CJMinick390]

Cheffie, it would take a pretty large stocking to put a tiller in, but seeing as how you've been such a good girl this year, I'll put in a good word with Santa. The big guy in red can do just about anything, you know. Remember "Miracle on 34th Street." In a pinch, will four guys from an engine do?

[superchef]

CJ

In a pinch, will four guys from an engine do?

Absolutely!!!!

[CJMinick390]

Thought maybe it would.

[IACOJRev]

God bless us, every one.

Warmest holiday wishes from me and Mrs. Rev

[Ohiovolffemtp]

Cheffie,
It was a blessing and a gift to meet you. If I get a chance to come back to SF, I'll stop by again.

I found this site looking for coverage of the 9-11 horror, then found the forums and over time lots of people I respect and ones who have honored me with their friendship. For all of you, FF, EMS, and friends:

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He lift up His face to you and let His light shine upon you,
May He lift up His countenance to you and give you peace.

and my own prayer:

That each of us serves well, whatever our calling, and comes home safe to the ones we love and who love us.

Merry Christmas, my sisters and brothers.

[StayBack500FT]

Whether I've disagreed with you, laughed with you...er...laughed at you....laughed at you laughing at me...or all of the above, I'm thankful to have all of you as friends.



Cheffie...again I say, you are one class act. Merry Christmas.