Very Nice….

The three bronze sculpture “To Lift A Nation” sits in a warehouse on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Kearns, Utah. The sculpture, based on the photograph taken by Thomas E. Franklin of The Record Of Bergen County on Sept. 11, 2001 of three firemen raising the American flag after 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. The sculpture will begin a three day journey to its permanent home at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The statues weigh more than 5,000 pounds each.

 

Their flag-raising amid the rubble of the World Trade Center has loomed larger than life in American memory as a symbol of the most devastating terrorist attack ever to strike U.S. soil.Now, those three firefighters – caught on film hoisting the colors atop an ashen flag pole – stand as part of an equally colossal tribute to a moment that united the nation amid tragedy.

Utah sculptor Stan Watts unveiled a massive bronze monument Monday that depicts that historic flag-raising in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, with figures three times larger than life.

One firefighter gazes upward, a flashlight dangling from his belt. Two others clutch a rope and tug the flag skyward.

“The nation deserves to remember this moment,” said Watts, pausing briefly because of emotion.

Colorado Report: Part 2-”The Re-Ranking”

After very careful consideration I have decided not to rearrange all of the bands and I am only going to list the new number one.

Number 1 Baddest Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band:

WINNER IS………SEATTLE Firefighters Pipes and Drums

There it is kids if you don’t like it then prove me wrong!  I have been looking at article after article on-line, and a gaggle of video I mean for the love of God they have been on the very same stage as the Murphy’s!!!!  Look at the pictures, read the stories they are not only playing memorial events but charitable events as well which always get you points with Hooligan.  The gauntlet was thrown early at Quinn’s that they indeed were the better partiers than (I will not say who) and true to their word they were.  Tossed out into the street at 2am there was no sign of letting up as they were last seen heading down Tejon.  Nice Job Boys keep up the good work.

Colorado Report: Part 1

To say that I had an amazing time this year would be a severe understatement.  I had been in years past but somehow this year was different.   The pipes and drums were spot on every time no matter if it was on a table top, in the street, or in formation the Pipers and Drummers this year crushed it. 

Some of the nicest guys I met were the boys from Seattle.  Although they were a bit hurt that I didn’t mention their drinking and partying prowess in my initial ranking I assured them that on that fact alone they were moving up the rankings not to mention the fact that they can (and did) wale the paint off of the walls at Quinn’s.   Last call means nothing to them…..they just take it to the curb and keep going.  Thanks to Raul for letting me bang away on his bass drum, next time I am bringing mine even if it does say Detroit Shriner Highlanders on it.

Official Re-ranking will happen on Thursday I have a lot of work to catch up on and Mrs. Hooligan says I have to mow the lawn and stop talking about “Quinn’s” and “The Springs”.

Colorado Springs Report: Pipes and Drums

I will be posting tommorow my full report from the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial. 

In my post I will tell you about the re-ranking of Fire Pipe Bands and you may just never guess who is sliding up the ranking to take over Number 1……check back tommorow.

Imagine My Suprise….

It has been a while since I posted any thing of any substance and for many reasons.  Yesterday,  I open my e-mail and find a comment awaiting moderation I click the link to see the comment and its from one of my fire fighting brethren from a far off state.  He posted a comment about my post a while ago “Top 5 Baddest Fire Department Pipe Bands”. 

I was curious so I check the stats on my site and found nearly 500 visits to that post, some how the link has made it to several of the bands I listed and they have posted on their sites.  In return I am going to list their sites so you may further check out these great bands.  If you feel so inclined I recommend purchasing some of their shirts, hats, stickers or even their Cd’s.  The bands are made up of people who love the fire service and the tradition of the fire service and don’t get paid for what they do.  Most of the time, and I can speak from experience, you spend a lot of money just to be in the band but it pales to the honor you can be a part of when you are in the band.

Next Friday I am leaving for Colorado Springs for the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial with my best friend Tom.  This year is a particularly solemn year we are going to see Michael Reilly’sname added to the Memorial wall.  Michael served proudly in the USMC with my friend Tom in Iraq and was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving the Fire Department of New York.  Tom wanted to go and asked if I wanted to so I said abso-friggin-lutely. 

I will write a full report on my return.  If your at the memorial you can find Tom and I belly up to the bar at Jack Quinn’s on Tejon street.  This is where we spent most of our time in 2002 when we went.  We will be the ones wearing Union shirts and drinking an insane amount of Guinness. 

 If your going to be at the Memorial shoot me an e-mail HOOLIGANMIND@Comcast.net.

See you at Quinn’s,

Hooligan