FireStationLogos.com Blog

September 11th...

2011-09-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

I always get a hole in my heart around September 11th. I pause a little everyday the week before to remember all those souls who lost their lives that day, or nearly did so, on what started out as a normal, clear September day.

I remember that year I took on a part-time job just to make some extra cash. Steve and I were in school, and just starting our little family. We were working on our little screen-printing business, too.

The morning of September 11th I had to go to class for a bit but I remember hurrying home to relieve Steve of watching our one-year-old son. I knew Steve would be ready to get started on printing t-shirts and I was missing my baby boy. I entered the front door of our tiny apartment and saw Steve watching the news while holding our baby boy. A quick thought in my mind was, "Wow, the morning news is on late." When just about the same time Steve said, "A plane hit one of the Twin Towers!" I remember screaming, "What!?" It really was like we were watching a really horrific movie...but it was real life.

The information that was streaming into our brains through the news on the t.v. was too much to take in at one time - mentally and emotionally - that it was real but so confusing. I kept asking Steve a lot of questions. He tried to answer them as fast as I asked them, but we were still so confused. Why would airplanes hit sky scrapers? This had to be an accident! Until we watched the next plane hit. We couldn't believe it. This is really happening.

I felt like I was thinking like a little child...so confused and helpless. "Who is going to put the fire out in those buildings. There has to be a lot of people in those buildings." Then all of a sudden one of the twin towers just started dropping, straight down to the ground, in plumes of black and gray smoke. It was surreal. "Did anyone get out? There are still people in the other building. What is going on!!!"

As I look back on that morning and recall all the thoughts, emotions, feelings and confusion we had on what started out as a regular, sunny September morning - I can't imagine how, or what the people of New York, or the people at the Pentagon, or the people on United Airlines Flight 93 felt.

How did the person feel just running in from busy Manhattan traffic, when after not too long after just settling into their cubicle or office with a window - a plane slams into their work place - one plane, full of people, changes their life as they knew it. I was seeing all this happening from the comforts of home. But for many this experience was real, and raw, and the worst thing that they ever imagined happening to them was actually taking place there and then, that one September morning.

How did those firefighters feel when calls started rolling into their stations that one twin tower was hit, then another twin tower was hit. How do you logistically plan the rescue of thousands and thousands of people from sky scrapers while being in a state of shock? How do you run into a burning sky scraper while being in a state of shock? How did thousands and thousands of firefighters, paramedics, cops come together to give service while others are running out of from justifiable fear?

I guess that is the question I have a hard time answering, "How do you cross the line from being confused and scared and wanting to run, but you do not run. Yet you summon all the courage you can while in a state of shock and make your feet move through the door, and up the stairs, and up a smokey stairwell to...well...sometimes you aren't really sure to where and to what."

How first responders, warriors, people who serve, push through that wall of fear and keep going when they knew that going IN meant possibly giving up their lives as they knew them. That they might not get one more chance to run home to their babies.

How did so many of them say, "Yes...I will do it." That is the line that makes those kinds of selfless and courageous people and myself so different.

And actually my little firefighters and first responders and military friends have taught me the answers to my question. Working with all of you over the years I am learning about a system of honor, loyalty, and duty. When you fight fires, crime, wars together, you HAVE to believe that your brother, or sister, has your back and has you in their heart. No matter what happens - your will do all that you can to protect your brother and he will do all he can to protect you. The honor is that she has tried to protect her friend without selfishness, and so in return you do the same because you have a mutual agreement that you will protect, love, and serve each other - even if it means the ultimate sacrifice. And knowing this can give someone such a great sense of courage because you are serving those who respect and admire you and you feel the same.

I am sure most selfless, brave people wouldn't even admit they were. But this is what I feel about them.

So, I return to my question "At what point do you cross the line of duty and courage to face the fear and the unknown?"

To tell you the truth. I am sure they were scared out of their mind, but didn't take too much time to dwell on fear that day. They had been practicing honor, duty, and serving so much up to that point with their brothers and sisters they respected...it was just natural to want to go fight with them that 11th day of September, 2001. Anyone who served anywhere in the country that day where there was terror going on...had been practicing being a good friend all their lives. That's why it was in their nature to do it again...even one last time. That isn't in the mindset of a warrior to think to retreat, but to go in and fight - and even be THE FIRST at that. To be the first to help a brother or soul in need.

That's why ever year around September 11th I post my favorite picture, the one at the beginning of this post. It's my favorite because that firefighter is not going out, but contrary to what I would do he is going IN even with fear and death staring him in the face. I wonder if he made it out? God bless him.

The sacrifice of so many on September 11th, 2001 was the ultimate lesson of love, duty, and honor to me. Everyone who served and sacrificed that day in September in America is a hero to me. And they served because of the love for what they do, their love for their country, their love for their families. This country was built upon a loyalty to ones beliefs, a strong sense of brotherhood/sisterhood, love, and the courage to act on feelings of the heart - that is what is unique about America. And that is why we will always love it, too.

A day that we will never forget our brave, courageous, loyal, selfless friends who will be in our hearts forever.

Love and gratitude to all who serve us everyday, everywhere.

Sincerely,

Ismari and Steve R.

Have a wonderful Chrismas and Happy New Year friends!

2010-12-19T14:50:00.001-08:00

Please click on card:

A lesson of love, duty, and honor on September 11th, 2001

2010-09-08T11:29:00.001-07:00

2010-04-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

Houston Fire Department Station 19 Help One of their Brothers

This is from HFD Station 19's website:

"One of our members, Randy Surratt, is in the fight for his life.

We are asking for your help to continue his treatment and help his kids.

Randy is 35 years old. He has been at HFD Station 19 since he was 'fresh off the tower' as a rookie 10 years ago.

Two years ago he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and has fought a valiant battle so far.

He is currently undergoing treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center, but the medical bills are piling up. The goal is to raise enough money to continue the fight.

All money raised will go toward medical bills and treatments, with any extra placed in a trust fund for his kids:Merranda, 9 and Caleb, 7."

HFD 19 is selling t-shirts designed by FireStationLogos.com, Steve Richardson, to raise money for Randy:
HFD 19 Help Randy

Houston Channel 2 News about Randy's Fight

We are praying and hoping for the best for Randy and his family. We are grateful he has such great friends.

Thank you all.

http://www.firehouse19.com/Help%20Randy%20Page.htm

2010-03-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

Firehouse World Convention 2010 in San Diego, California

We finally arrive from Houston to the San Diego Convention Center. We show up on Monday to set up our booth. This is our first major FIRE-EMS-RESCUE convention. We have been pretty low-key until now.

It is exciting and I am a little nervous. Steve is excited and wants to start setting up the booth to make sure it is going to work out o.k.

Our display is made up of PVP pipe, duck tape, Quick grip glue, Velcro tabs, and rulers that help hold up the PVC pipe. ha ha ha

It was kind of sagging in the middle a little bit but did it's job JUST FINE. People with really nice displays and booths told us that THAT is how THEY started...they all said to us, "You have to start somewhere." Which was very encouraging. Everyone from the other Exhibitors and ALL the firefighters, EMS, Rescue, Police officers we met there were awesome!

Here is a friend of ours Tom St. Martin. He is a firefighter and a friend of Steve's. He was really nice and we happened to see him at the Convention.

Tom took Steve and Steve's best buddy in high school, Joe Rhombs, surfing in southern California when they were 16. He was really cool and Steve never forgot about him and how nice he was to take Steve and Tom's cousin, Joe, surfing. Steve never forgot about that and we HAPPENED to run into him at the convention. It was really fun meeting him and having he and Steve catch up again! Steve is on the right, Tom is on the left:

Here is FireStationLogos.com on the Exhibitor's List

Thank you ALL for your support and friendship.

Ismari and Steve

FireStationLogos.com to attend Firehouse World Convention

2009-11-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

FireStationLogos.com will be attending the:

Firehouse World FIRE-RESCUE-EMS Convention in San Diego March 2-4, 2010.

Convention will be co-located with the California State Firefighters Association. For more than 87 years the California State Firefighters' Association has been the largest fire service organization in California. With 24,000 members, CSFA represents all elements of the fire service and is dedicated to giving their members a strong and united voice in the evolution of the fire service, through unity in leadership, political action, education, and quality member services.

Stop by and see us in BOOTH 1542 if you are attending!

Steve
FireStationLogos.com

A Day of Rememberance and Gratitude

2009-09-11T06:27:00.001-07:00

It is important to remember September 11th, 2001. So we can remember the people who sacrifice and serve us EVERY day...just so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we so openly get to enjoy.

We WILL continue to remember this day - the day our people showed bravery, duty, and love for their country - even as death stared them RIGHT in the face! It's a day about duty, honor, love, sacrifice, gratitude, and unselfishness.

Thank you for your sacrifice and service everyday! May God bless you and your families.

LA Fires Believed to Be an Act of Arson

2009-09-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you firefighters and families for your everyday sacrifice and service!

More on this story...

Brave souls...

2009-08-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

Remembering Captain Ted Hall and firefighter Arnie Quinones. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. Bless their families. Rest in peace. Thank you to our firefighters for their selfless acts of courage.

Who Drives The Fire SUV?

2009-08-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Cadets of the Summer Smoke Project

2009-08-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the cadets who earned the rite to have a Summer Smoke Project shirt!

A Fun One...

2009-07-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

HFD Station 6 B-shift Present Mattress Mac with a FireStationLogos printed t-shirt and Fire Pictures...

2009-07-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

HFD Station 6 B-shift present Houston furniture business owner Mattress Mack a framed Station 6 t-shirt to commemorate the day 31 HFD stations and more than 120 Houston Firefighters were called to help fight an enormous fire at Matress Mack's Gallery Furniture warehouse.

FireStationLogos was called upon by Station 6 B-shift to add to the current HFD Station 6 t-shirt design some important details from that day, as you can see in the picture below:

One Station 6 firefighter said about the BBQ event Mattress Mack threw today, July 3rd, 2009, for all firefighters to thank them for their service,

"Well Mac tried to keep the free beer and BBQ coming but he couldn’t keep up with HFD. If you were there you know that the first try was 40 case of beer then another 40 still not enough. When I left @ 6ish there was beer but only hotdogs…There was steak at one time and talking to the BBQ guys we “wiped him out”.
Oh well …We presented Mac with his display case @ 5pm and as I was told @ 7 it was hanging on the wall!!! Mrs. Mac (Linda) took us …and only us back to the unfinished showroom and warehouse to take a look.(thanks Cpt. Tolliver). We all had a good time..."

http://www.click2houston.com/news/19589921/detail.html:

More than 120 Houston firefighters fought the blaze at 6006 North Freeway at about 8:20 p.m. on May 21. "Employees tried to fight the fire, but it got away from them. They made a valiant effort to try and stop this fire from spreading. It could have been twice as bad had it spread to the showroom. You have to commend the Houston Fire Department for the tremendous job they did," Elder said. The fire gutted the warehouse, destroying it and the millions of dollars worth of furniture inside. The fire did not spread to the store's main showroom, but the sprinklers inside it went off and caused extensive damage.
KHOU.com staff report:
HOUSTON - Six weeks after an arsonist set the Gallery Furniture warehouse on fire a new warehouse has emerged. It’s located at the north Houston location.

On Friday, owner Jim McIngvale invited the firefighters back who stopped the flames from spreading to the showroom.

There was plenty of food and drink. There was also monument crafted from steel remnants of the burned out building.

“It too honors the firefighters who worked valiantly to save the showroom. I kept watching them come out of the fire exhausted from the heat, exhausted from the work they were doing and yet they never complained. They just worked, worked and worked,” said McIngvale.

The north Houston store reopens to the public on July 4.
------------------------------
Thank you firefighters for the brave service you perform. We appreciate all you do. Thank you for your support and please let us know how we can serve you.
Sincerely,
Steve and Ismari Richardson
FireStationLogos.com

Hot off the press...

2009-05-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new things we are working on this week...

2009-04-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting our new Blog.

2009-02-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

We would love to talk to you firefighters and get your thoughts and ideas of how to build camaraderie through wearing your favorite custom designed station uniforms/t-shirts/embroidered Polo's.

When thinking about custom designing station logos you can start with the following questions:

What makes your station unique?
What is the history of your station?
Is your station located anywhere near a landmark or place of significance?
What's special about the neighborhood, city, or even street your are located on?
What do you enjoy most about your station and fire house?

Featured District shirt:

What is unique about Houston Fire District 11?

Houston Fire District 11 is made up of 3 Houston Fire rescue teams:
Station 10, Station 11, and Station 42.

Station 11 is the Heavy Rescue team.
Station 10 and Station 42 are the Technical Rescue teams.

Station 10 is located in West Houston, off Beltway 8, in a heavily populated Asian community of Houston. They liked the idea of using a Dragon logo.

Station 11 is Centrally located near downtown Houston off T.C. Jester. They liked the idea of the wild looking Jester.

Station 42 is located in East Houston by the Houston Ship Channel, the 4th largest port in the world in tonnage. They liked the idea of Popeye the sailor man, since they have the water in common. They got the copyrights to use Popeye on their shirt and we digitized the artwork so we could be able to screen print it.

Nice ideas for a district shirt wouldn't you say?

What have been some of your favorite Fire Fighter designs you have seen lately?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!

A Few of Our Custom Designed Fire Station Logos:

2009-02-16T08:48:00.000-08:00