Because they live together 24 hours at a time, firefighters become very much family. And in each family there is a certain amount of tomfoolery that occurs. Imagine a household of four or five boys, and then multiply the mischief by lots of ten because these are no longer boys, but grown men.
Like family, most of the rowdiness occurred when the Chiefs weren't there. So Bob questioned the fact his Chief hung around one evening, and even sat down at the table with them for their evening meal, which happened to be pancakes.
Bob's first bite of pancake was uneventful. But when he tried to cut a second bite his question was answered. The chef for the evening had put a milk strainer in Bob's pancake. Of course, his attempt to cut the second bite was thwarted...but it took a bit of 'sawing' for him to realize what they'd done.
I don't know how many of you know what a milk strainer is. It's not unlike a coffee filter, though more fiber dense. That's how Bob felt--a bit dense. But it was good for a laugh--and still is.
For the past several years, the Newton Fire Department has hosted a special luncheon for the retired firefighters and ambulance personnel. It's a great time of reflection, of remembering members who have gone before them, exclaiming over how things have changed.
Most of all, it's a grand time of recounting stories like this over and over again, and laughing as though they were hearing them for the first time.
It's the brotherhood.
And it's what got them through the times they don't want to to remember.
Retiree luncheon, 2014. Bob is standing, 7th from the left
Retirees and their sons who are still active Newton firefighter/paramedics
Bob and Rob on the left
Bob and Rob on the left
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