Friday, August 31, 2018
I like to look at the titles of books in my book cases. I have resigned myself to the fact that I can't read them all. However, there are a lot of nuggets of truth inside the books. I picked up the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, a book that had been in the book case of my grandparents. I read that Benjamin had enjoyed researching his ancestors and he felt it useful to write about himself for his family. I do the same and I don't mind if others enjoy listening in on the conversation!. I may not have met my grandmother Sadie (AKA Sigridur) but in the last few years I have been to her birth place in Iceland, her first stop in North America, Gimli, Manitoba, her second stop in Markerville, Alberta, her third stop Rock Castle, WA( I used to pass by years and years ago driving up and down the old 99 and I-5). I had been to Hoquiam,WA but it was meaningful to see where she lived and across the river where her adopted father worked with lumber. I have been to Gig Harbor, WA where she moved and years before that I had visited the house where she lived with my grandfather Will in Tacoma before she passed due to an infection as she donated blood to a child (they were connected) Sadly, I visited her grave in Gig Harbor surrounded by family and friends. I wish she had written an autobiography, but she still speaks in her quoted words and actions in the past.
The Hero of Haarlem is a short story about a boy who discovers a hole in a dike and plugs the hole with his thumb. He endures a cold night until help comes. What is the symbolism? Today, you might channel your energies to solve a little problem that could become a huge problem. So I appreciate your efforts. Sometimes you won't get the recognition you deserve, but enjoy looking yourself in the mirror and derive satisfaction and a clear conscience. To paraphrase a dear departed friend (Ace Cazallio) -- never allow the institution to determine your value.
Today is my son's birthday: Kirk "Gabe". Birthdays are interesting since it is a hugely important event that each individual experiences,BUT has no remembrance. We have to rely on the testimony of doctors-documented in birth records, mothers, fathers and friends. So I personally was present at the birth of my son. As time goes by, my son is a very busy and productive citizen. I am SO very happy to share some time with him. I am extremely PROUD of my son. Most importantly for what he is, in addition, he does a lot of important things for our country. Join me in celebration of my son's birthday which he shares with some of my Facebook friends, but remember, we celebrate the birth of our loved ones, friends, special people every day.
A short Bio
Mr Fechter serves as the Garrison Safety Manager and manages the Ft Meade Office of the Installation Safety Office. He manages 11 Installation Safety Programs and 18 Garrison Safety Programs for Army, Joint and Interagency tenants on the 2nd largest population in the military. In 2017, he was selected from world-wide applications and served as a technical coordinator to USAREUR staff elements on the planning and conduct of a major multinational training exercise (Saber Guardian 17) which included deployment to Romania. Mr Fechter earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. After graduate studies in Near Eastern Languages, he joined the Army and was commissioned after Officer Candidate School (OCS). He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management from American Technological University. He has also done graduate studies in Law, International Relations, Military Studies, and Education. Mr Fechter retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S Army Reserve. After the Infantry Basic Course, Mr. Fechter commanded an Initial Entry Training Company at Ft Dix, NJ. After Flight School, he held various positions in the 227 Aviation (Avn) Bn at Ft Hood, TX. After the attending the Infantry Advanced Course as the student S-1, he directed Avn School administration in the Secretary’s office, and served as the Director of Remedial Avn training, the Communicative Skills Branch Chief, and a Small Group instructor for the Avn AdvancedCourse teaching tactics and leadership. He then commanded E Company, 1-145 Avn Regiment. He was on the staff of the Avn Training Bde (AUG) during which he completed the Command and General Staff College. After duty as an Observer Controller for Team Spirit in Korea, he served as an Instructor for Avn Advance Course for the 4290 USAR School, Nashville, TN. After the Combat Safety Officer Course, he served as a Combat Safety Officer assigned to the 101st Air Assault Division, Ft Campbell, KY. He joined the 354 Civil Affairs Brigade HQ, completed the Civil Affairs Advance Course and performed duties as Public Safety Officer and Public Finance Officer. He deployed to Egypt for Bright Star in 2001, and Europe in 2005. The highlight of his Army career was a combat tour in Baghdad, Iraq 2003-2004 as a Public Facility Team Chief/Deputy. During his civilian service, Mr Fechter was selected for and graduated from the DoD Executive Leadership Development Program. His many safety courses include recognition as the Honor graduate of the Radiation Safety Course. Mr Fechter holds a CP-12 ANSI Safety and Occupational Health Professional Certificate and certification as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Consulting Trainer Mr Fechter has DoD Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) ratings in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Farsi and Arabic. Mr. Fechter has received numerous awards including The Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Commander's Award for Civilian Service, Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, He was awarded the Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab. Mr. Fechter is blessed with 4 children and 4 grandchildren
Mr Fechter serves as the Garrison Safety Manager and manages the Ft Meade Office of the Installation Safety Office. He manages 11 Installation Safety Programs and 18 Garrison Safety Programs for Army, Joint and Interagency tenants on the 2nd largest population in the military. In 2017, he was selected from world-wide applications and served as a technical coordinator to USAREUR staff elements on the planning and conduct of a major multinational training exercise (Saber Guardian 17) which included deployment to Romania. Mr Fechter earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. After graduate studies in Near Eastern Languages, he joined the Army and was commissioned after Officer Candidate School (OCS). He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management from American Technological University. He has also done graduate studies in Law, International Relations, Military Studies, and Education. Mr Fechter retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S Army Reserve. After the Infantry Basic Course, Mr. Fechter commanded an Initial Entry Training Company at Ft Dix, NJ. After Flight School, he held various positions in the 227 Aviation (Avn) Bn at Ft Hood, TX. After the attending the Infantry Advanced Course as the student S-1, he directed Avn School administration in the Secretary’s office, and served as the Director of Remedial Avn training, the Communicative Skills Branch Chief, and a Small Group instructor for the Avn AdvancedCourse teaching tactics and leadership. He then commanded E Company, 1-145 Avn Regiment. He was on the staff of the Avn Training Bde (AUG) during which he completed the Command and General Staff College. After duty as an Observer Controller for Team Spirit in Korea, he served as an Instructor for Avn Advance Course for the 4290 USAR School, Nashville, TN. After the Combat Safety Officer Course, he served as a Combat Safety Officer assigned to the 101st Air Assault Division, Ft Campbell, KY. He joined the 354 Civil Affairs Brigade HQ, completed the Civil Affairs Advance Course and performed duties as Public Safety Officer and Public Finance Officer. He deployed to Egypt for Bright Star in 2001, and Europe in 2005. The highlight of his Army career was a combat tour in Baghdad, Iraq 2003-2004 as a Public Facility Team Chief/Deputy. During his civilian service, Mr Fechter was selected for and graduated from the DoD Executive Leadership Development Program. His many safety courses include recognition as the Honor graduate of the Radiation Safety Course. Mr Fechter holds a CP-12 ANSI Safety and Occupational Health Professional Certificate and certification as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Consulting Trainer Mr Fechter has DoD Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) ratings in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Farsi and Arabic. Mr. Fechter has received numerous awards including The Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Commander's Award for Civilian Service, Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, He was awarded the Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab. Mr. Fechter is blessed with 4 children and 4 grandchildren
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