Friday, October 3, 2008: Last year I called this weekend, the “Slingshot” weekend and find it’s not much different this year. My weekend started in East Hartford, CT to see one of my favorite local bands “Road Rage”. It was the last show with Mike as lead guitar. As Mike moves on, Zoltan moves from bass player to lead guitar and Jim joins the group as bass player. You can check out the band at www.roadragerocks.com/ or www.myspace.com/RoadRageRockse.com/RoadRageRocks I’ll tell you upfront, the folks at Gilo’s that night had a blast. The music was fantastic and lots of laughter shared. One of my friends, Kerrie, was a good sport when the band played “Pour A Little Sugar On Me” and joined the band on stage. Kerrie poured sugar on Zoltan who was lead singer for this song.
Kerrie and Zoltan - "Pour a Little Sugar On Me"
Um, moving along LOL – the band played three sets and the whole night was electrifying.
I was keeping my eye on the time pushing my luck to be there for all three sets knowing I had to get up early the next morning to drive to Warminster, PA for the second annual Operation First Response Day. The toughest part is saying goodbye to everyone I know and not wanting to miss anyone. At one point I was out the door and back in as I knew I forgot someone who I had to hug goodbye. Finally stepping out to head home and hesitated because there was a slight chance I may miss a um, performance worth watching and thought, I really needed to get some sleep. Arrived home at 3am, life of a groupie :) Last year I had this same dilemma as the band “ShovelHead” was playing.
Saturday, October 4, 2008: The alarm went off at 6am and I rolled out of bed shortly after that. I must have, based on my arrival time in PA. Showered, dressed and drove to Dunkin Donuts. To my surprise as I stood there half a sleep, the clerk asked me if I wanted the sausage, egg and cheese on a French roll…I said yes, toasted. Honestly, I don’t eat there that often LOL Two cups of coffee and I’m on my way. Took the usual route out of Connecticut, down I-684, Saw Mill River Parkway (the deer eating right along the shoulder) over the Tappan Zee Bridge (awesome view in the early morning – with no rush hour traffic). Now comes the tricky part, I’m going west on I-287 in New York and then take the exit for I-287 south which takes me into New Jersey. No wonder people need a GPS system. It must have been “State Police” Day in New Jersey because they were out everywhere. I hope they know better than to pull over someone driving a car with OFR license plates :)
Last year I took the boring New Jersey Turnpike to Warminster, PA. For some reason, Google maps sent me down I-287 connecting with US rte. 202, which takes me right into Pennsylvania and within 30 minutes I arrive at St. Andrews’ Church. I did take note of the closest Dunkin Donuts LOL It was a beautiful day in Warminster compared to the rain at last year’s event. I parked the car and strolled through to see everything set up. We had a silent auction, a bake sale, burgers/hot dogs/etc outside for purchase, two bands both with the name “Cross Roads” , an OFR table with quilts to be signed, a sign up to help make Christmas brighter for our wounded Heroes and their families. The local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 590 joined us again – and a section for kid activities, like a dunking booth.
For this year’s event, Heather (OFR Secretary) was joined by; Peggy Baker (OFR President) and her husband Steve, along with OFR Senior Advisors Nick Constantino and MSG Beverly O’Donnell (RET) as well as myself, Bob (OFR Director of Special Projects). We were honored to have special VIPs join us on Saturday: CPL Andrew Smith (who joined us last year), SSGT Jason Neilson, SGT Jace Badia and Gold Star Parents Joe and Mary Kane.
I set up a video camera on my tripod to record the speeches as well as taking digital pictures of the speakers. Heather took to the podium, like an expert I must add, and we all stood for the National Anthem. Then Heather introduced Peggy and the VIPs. Peggy spoke first. Peggy then presented Heather and I with a recognition award for our dedication and efforts to support our wounded Heroes and their families. I’ve been with OFR for four years and was helping Peggy supporting our wounded Heroes for several months prior to OFR starting. I believe it was only a few short months before Heather joined us. OFR has a small staff, but the difference our small staff makes in the lives of thousands of our wounded Heroes and their families is significant thanks to the wonderful people and companies who provide donations – and I plan to continue my support of our wounded Heroes and their families. Their sacrifices are priceless and it’s the least I can do and I would venture to say the wonderful folks I work with at OFR feel the same way.
I was keeping my eye on the time pushing my luck to be there for all three sets knowing I had to get up early the next morning to drive to Warminster, PA for the second annual Operation First Response Day. The toughest part is saying goodbye to everyone I know and not wanting to miss anyone. At one point I was out the door and back in as I knew I forgot someone who I had to hug goodbye. Finally stepping out to head home and hesitated because there was a slight chance I may miss a um, performance worth watching and thought, I really needed to get some sleep. Arrived home at 3am, life of a groupie :) Last year I had this same dilemma as the band “ShovelHead” was playing.
Saturday, October 4, 2008: The alarm went off at 6am and I rolled out of bed shortly after that. I must have, based on my arrival time in PA. Showered, dressed and drove to Dunkin Donuts. To my surprise as I stood there half a sleep, the clerk asked me if I wanted the sausage, egg and cheese on a French roll…I said yes, toasted. Honestly, I don’t eat there that often LOL Two cups of coffee and I’m on my way. Took the usual route out of Connecticut, down I-684, Saw Mill River Parkway (the deer eating right along the shoulder) over the Tappan Zee Bridge (awesome view in the early morning – with no rush hour traffic). Now comes the tricky part, I’m going west on I-287 in New York and then take the exit for I-287 south which takes me into New Jersey. No wonder people need a GPS system. It must have been “State Police” Day in New Jersey because they were out everywhere. I hope they know better than to pull over someone driving a car with OFR license plates :)
Last year I took the boring New Jersey Turnpike to Warminster, PA. For some reason, Google maps sent me down I-287 connecting with US rte. 202, which takes me right into Pennsylvania and within 30 minutes I arrive at St. Andrews’ Church. I did take note of the closest Dunkin Donuts LOL It was a beautiful day in Warminster compared to the rain at last year’s event. I parked the car and strolled through to see everything set up. We had a silent auction, a bake sale, burgers/hot dogs/etc outside for purchase, two bands both with the name “Cross Roads” , an OFR table with quilts to be signed, a sign up to help make Christmas brighter for our wounded Heroes and their families. The local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 590 joined us again – and a section for kid activities, like a dunking booth.
For this year’s event, Heather (OFR Secretary) was joined by; Peggy Baker (OFR President) and her husband Steve, along with OFR Senior Advisors Nick Constantino and MSG Beverly O’Donnell (RET) as well as myself, Bob (OFR Director of Special Projects). We were honored to have special VIPs join us on Saturday: CPL Andrew Smith (who joined us last year), SSGT Jason Neilson, SGT Jace Badia and Gold Star Parents Joe and Mary Kane.
I set up a video camera on my tripod to record the speeches as well as taking digital pictures of the speakers. Heather took to the podium, like an expert I must add, and we all stood for the National Anthem. Then Heather introduced Peggy and the VIPs. Peggy spoke first. Peggy then presented Heather and I with a recognition award for our dedication and efforts to support our wounded Heroes and their families. I’ve been with OFR for four years and was helping Peggy supporting our wounded Heroes for several months prior to OFR starting. I believe it was only a few short months before Heather joined us. OFR has a small staff, but the difference our small staff makes in the lives of thousands of our wounded Heroes and their families is significant thanks to the wonderful people and companies who provide donations – and I plan to continue my support of our wounded Heroes and their families. Their sacrifices are priceless and it’s the least I can do and I would venture to say the wonderful folks I work with at OFR feel the same way.
Gold Star Parents: Joe and Mary Kane
After Peggy’s speech, Joe and Mary Kane Gold Star parents of “Joey” stepped up to the podium and spoke to the crowd. (see video link part I)
CPL Andrew Smith
After the Kane’s, CPL Andrew Smith spoke about his experience with Operation First Response.
Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOfKRlaFVSs&feature=related
A Patriot Guard Rider, Tito Rivera, and his wife were in attendance. As Tito
spoke with Heather and Andrew, it was learned that Tito’s son served in Andrew’s unit. Tito called his son from his cell phone so Andrew could speak to him…what a small world indeed. Tito Rivera and CPL Andrew Smith
The festivities carried on and the event ended around 4pm. I should have hit the road for the 3.5 hour drive home, but decided to hang around and have dinner with Peggy, Steve, Heather, her husband Ed, SGT Jace and his wife Susan. I will say four cups of coffee was NOT enough. I should have asked if they carried espresso LOL Dinner and the company were excellent. Stories were shared and in my case, some things were learned :) See you can teach an old dog, new tricks. Dinner was over and we parted ways. I didn’t need the Dunkin Donuts that I made note of upon my arrival. I drove back to New Jersey and stopped for gas at a Hess station, which had a Dunkin Donuts, what timing. Speaking of timing, as the attendant (yes that’s right, in New Jersey it is illegal to pump your own gas – how I miss those days living in NJ and then I think about the traffic and taxes heh heh) is pumping the gas, two New Jersey State Troopers pull in and one is headed towards me. Naturally I’m thinking “what did I do wrong?” and a young couple come out of the Dunkin Donuts with a little baby in their arms. I was amazed the conversation took place right beside my car and how NOBODY moved an inch as I got in the car and started it. So I had to slowly drive around them and into a spot because I wanted a back up cup of coffee before starting the long drive through New Jersey.
I used the “call a friend” option to help me with the drive through New Jersey. I wanted to hear about her Vegas vacation and I was telling her about Friday night. You, the reader, get the “G” rated version of Friday night…but if you are over 21 looking for some great bands to see in Connecticut, I can be of some assistance :) Check out the blog entry about the Operation First ROCK Response featuring five local CT bands that was held on Oct. 19th in Connecticut (will add a blog entry about the day soon).
Sunday, October 5, 2008: I arrived home at 1am and set the alarms for tomorrow. Yes, I wrote alarms as in plural. I actually was going to get more sleep and yet managed to get up an hour before the alarm. It’s raining outside, not sure why it required I look out the window to “prove” to myself it was raining and I got ready for my next weekend event. I’m part of the core team for Bikers For The Cure http://www.bikersforthecure.com/ and raise awareness and funds to eradicate breast cancer. Our big event is a motorcycle ride on the second Sunday of August, though we participate in other events to sell merchandise to raise funds. I arrived at Gary, the Co-Director's, house on time and we loaded up his truck with our booth gear and off to Hartford, CT. I drive through Hartford on I-84 or I-91 and may stop in Hartford for a concert otherwise there is plenty to do outside of the Capital City. This event was Capital City Bike Night, even though it was from 2pm – 6pm. The original date was rained out and while it was raining, it wasn’t pouring like last weekend.
Gary drinks Rockstar Energy drinks like other people drink water LOL so I decided to try the coffee version this morning since I didn’t have ANY coffee yet. It was a long, chilly day…and we were next to TNT Motorsports, very cool people, so it made the day go by easier. It was a long day and I couldn’t wait to get home to relax. At least the drive was way shorter home this time – the traveling this weekend was still lighter than had I driven to DC and back. When it’s important enough, you find a way to accomplish the tasks at hand.
Links:
“Road Rage” www.roadragerocks.com/ and www.myspace.com/RoadRageRocks
The Back Home Box Foundation: http://www.backhomebox.com/ (supporting the deployed Heroes)
“The Best of US” video by Ryano: musicnation.com/music/ryanorocks/the-best-of-us
Very Respectfully,
Bob O’Donoghue
Director of Special Projects, Operation First Response (OFR)
http://www.operationfirstresponse.org/
Gary drinks Rockstar Energy drinks like other people drink water LOL so I decided to try the coffee version this morning since I didn’t have ANY coffee yet. It was a long, chilly day…and we were next to TNT Motorsports, very cool people, so it made the day go by easier. It was a long day and I couldn’t wait to get home to relax. At least the drive was way shorter home this time – the traveling this weekend was still lighter than had I driven to DC and back. When it’s important enough, you find a way to accomplish the tasks at hand.
Links:
“Road Rage” www.roadragerocks.com/ and www.myspace.com/RoadRageRocks
The Back Home Box Foundation: http://www.backhomebox.com/ (supporting the deployed Heroes)
“The Best of US” video by Ryano: musicnation.com/music/ryanorocks/the-best-of-us
Very Respectfully,
Bob O’Donoghue
Director of Special Projects, Operation First Response (OFR)
http://www.operationfirstresponse.org/
