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Monday, June 17, 2013
FW: Carrie Gordon
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembering Lt. John F. Ginley
As most American citizens are, I have been reflecting back on that horrible day eight years ago when our world changed forever. I will never forget the feeling of total disbelief, shock and horror as I turned on the TV at work just a few minutes before the first tower fell. I will never forget the fear and sorrow that I felt for all those that were losing thier lives before my eyes, and for us as a nation. To this day I fear for our safety and for the safety of those fighting for us over seas.
One of five boys born within seven years, (four became firefighters) Lieutenant Ginley, 37, served as a mediator at times, but also perfected the stealth practical joke. "Some of the stuff he did I probably still to this day didn't know that he did it," said his brother Capt. Bob Ginley. They were one grade apart in school, but ran track together, served in the National Guard together, joined the Fire Department together, studied for their lieutenant and captain exams together, and vacationed together.
John Ginley's reserve was part of what drew his wife to him when they met. "He was not a person that was looking for recognition," she said. "He was always the quiet one in the background." (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/national/portraits/POG-09GINLEY.html)
One such man that gave his life to try to save those trapped inside the World Trade Center was Lt. John F. Ginley.
"April Ginley knew she had a rare husband. If she was at work, Lt. John F. Ginley, a firefighter, managed the household, taking the dog to the vet or the children to the doctor. "He was a very involved parent, as far as even putting the kids on the school bus and braiding my daughter's hair," she said. He helped out in the classroom when his daughter, Taylor, 10, and son, Connor, 8, were younger, and he dressed up as a goblin in the gym for Halloween.
One of five boys born within seven years, (four became firefighters) Lieutenant Ginley, 37, served as a mediator at times, but also perfected the stealth practical joke. "Some of the stuff he did I probably still to this day didn't know that he did it," said his brother Capt. Bob Ginley. They were one grade apart in school, but ran track together, served in the National Guard together, joined the Fire Department together, studied for their lieutenant and captain exams together, and vacationed together.
John Ginley's reserve was part of what drew his wife to him when they met. "He was not a person that was looking for recognition," she said. "He was always the quiet one in the background." (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/national/portraits/POG-09GINLEY.html)
His family has described John as a devoted husband and father who was involved in all his children’s many activities. John loved golf and skiing. His wife and children, his parents Joe and Betty, as well as his brothers Joe, Bob, Pat Tim and their families all live in Warwick.In his memory and to give something back to the community he loved so much, the Ginley Family has set up a scholarship in the amount of $500 a year for four years (totaling $2,000) to a Warwick Valley High School student attending college.
Thank you Lt. Ginley for giving your life trying to save others. May you be watching over us.
Labels: In Remembrance
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Graduation Time Again
Yep, summer is here and graduation time is upon us again. Granted, it has been ... 16 (OMG!) years since I graduated from high school, but nevertheless here it is again.
My youngest cousin just graduated and I was in attendance. I think it was the shortest graduation ceremony in history because of impending storms in the horizon. From start to finish is was 15 minutes long. The welcomed everyone, said the pledge of allegiance and off they went. And it was perfect timing too. When the last graduate left the field it poured. It was great getting to see that milestone in her life though. It has been a rough road for her, but she is done and off to college. Hard to believe she is 18 now.
Which brings me to something else. I just read this article about a boy not getting his diploma because he blew a kiss to his mother. Yes, you read that right. He blew a kiss to his mother and was told that he would not receive his diploma because he did not follow to rules. Now, at my high school graduation there was a lot of hub-bub about not showing our butts and getting rowdy and all that. There were several people that I knew that didn't get their diploma that day because they were given 30 minutes at the rehearsal to come up with the money to pay fees and they didn't have the money at the time. We were even threatened with not graduating because we couldn't get it right at the rehearsal. I graduated in 1993, amid the re-emergence of the prayer in school debate. To flex our power of free speech, those of us that wanted to participate said the Lord's Prayer right in the middle of our graduation lead by the Student Body President and nothing was done about it. The principal even cracked a little hidden smile. There were cheers and fist pumping's and the like, and NO ONE was told that they wouldn't receive what was rightfully theirs because they celebrated a little. It wasn't like he flashed the audience and flew the bird at administrators. I hope that my children have the forethought to want to thank me at the end of a long 18 years for supporting them in their educational journey. I hope that the school administrators are sued and called out in front of the nation for ruining this young man's happiness on a day that he would have (and no doubt will for the wrong reasons) remember for the rest of his life. Shame on you!
Any thoughts? What was your graduation like?
My youngest cousin just graduated and I was in attendance. I think it was the shortest graduation ceremony in history because of impending storms in the horizon. From start to finish is was 15 minutes long. The welcomed everyone, said the pledge of allegiance and off they went. And it was perfect timing too. When the last graduate left the field it poured. It was great getting to see that milestone in her life though. It has been a rough road for her, but she is done and off to college. Hard to believe she is 18 now.
Which brings me to something else. I just read this article about a boy not getting his diploma because he blew a kiss to his mother. Yes, you read that right. He blew a kiss to his mother and was told that he would not receive his diploma because he did not follow to rules. Now, at my high school graduation there was a lot of hub-bub about not showing our butts and getting rowdy and all that. There were several people that I knew that didn't get their diploma that day because they were given 30 minutes at the rehearsal to come up with the money to pay fees and they didn't have the money at the time. We were even threatened with not graduating because we couldn't get it right at the rehearsal. I graduated in 1993, amid the re-emergence of the prayer in school debate. To flex our power of free speech, those of us that wanted to participate said the Lord's Prayer right in the middle of our graduation lead by the Student Body President and nothing was done about it. The principal even cracked a little hidden smile. There were cheers and fist pumping's and the like, and NO ONE was told that they wouldn't receive what was rightfully theirs because they celebrated a little. It wasn't like he flashed the audience and flew the bird at administrators. I hope that my children have the forethought to want to thank me at the end of a long 18 years for supporting them in their educational journey. I hope that the school administrators are sued and called out in front of the nation for ruining this young man's happiness on a day that he would have (and no doubt will for the wrong reasons) remember for the rest of his life. Shame on you!
Any thoughts? What was your graduation like?
Labels: In The News, Vents
