tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42831458872182447832024-02-19T17:31:54.109-08:00Captain Kirk's EnterpriseThe purpose of this blog is to fulfill my dream to write a book. Since I can't do it all at once, I intend to piece meal it. When I have a bunch of blog entries, I will compile into a book. One of many regrets is that I won't be able to give a copy of my book to my beloved cousin, Lyn Frank Fechter Masnor. (She said she wouldn't pay for it and she wanted me to autograph it)Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-51632213387504115522020-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:002020-08-05T11:37:01.234-07:00SAFETY ON THE FLY – THE LESSONS OF ACCIDENTS<a href="https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/safety-fly-lessons-accidents">https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/safety-fly-lessons-accidents</a><div><br /></div><div><div class="container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; width: 970px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div class="col-sm-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 970px;">7/21/20, 10:37 AM</div></div></div><div class="container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; width: 970px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div class="content-primary col-md-8" id="primary" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin-top: 30px; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 646.662px;"><main role="main" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><article style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">By Kirk Fechter, Garrison Safety Office</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Roboto, Droid-Sans, sans-serif !important; font-size: 1.75em; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Safety on the Fly – The Lessons of Accidents</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I have investigated accidents before I had safety training and after. I will share some insights.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The first thing I do is check on the condition of the person involved in an accident. Was someone hurt? Was there medical care? If there was any type of injury or potential injury, I recommend a visit to the Occupational Health Clinic at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center at Fort Meade.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I note that sometimes people feel too busy to go to the Clinic. I follow up many times and they will tell me that they were too busy. Some people need to man the office because there is no back-up for their particular skill set. I recommend that they at least make a phone call. The Clinic staff is friendly, skilled and helpful.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">An accident investigation should include all relevant academic disciplines. It is important to have a medical perspective. Physics is important. Chemistry as documented in Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is needed. Other disciplines can be essential to the investigation as well.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">A situation: One person on the job stepped in a hole and broke a bone. A lot of people step in holes. We always like to at least mark them with caution tape or with signs, or sticks with netting. This can be done very easily. Instant hazard abatement. Actually, fixing the holes in grass or sidewalks takes a little more time. There is technology to add some materials that can be put in the hole and fill it fast.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another situation: Years ago, my track team was running laps around the track. As I sped along, in front of me, one of my teammates ran into a young man who was not paying attention. This youth ran in front of my teammate.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>Someone blurted out that youngsters are indestructible. The young man, jumped up, dusted himself off, and continued his jogging. My teammate was a little more bruised and had a slight limp as he resumed running. This is illustrative of the medical consideration for the severity of an accident.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As a commander, I had an accident report in front of me. The form required that I recommend a preventive measure so that there would not be any more football injuries. I recall my young life spent playing sports. My elementary school had an asphalt playground. Much of my skin was gradually scraped off after collisions and falls. I played tackle football, full speed basketball, ran through rock strewn trails. I was often hurt, but not severely. Statistically, there are a lot of injuries from sports. Ironically, the worst accident that I ever had was playing volleyball. I landed on my foot and sprained it enough to require a cast.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I would not replace that time of learning the lessons of sport and the resulting fitness acquired.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">If I could go back in time, I would have recommended that everyone have the benefit of a topnotch injury prevention program. It is amazing how some injury prevention measures are simple.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Army War College discovered that new running shoes every year can prevent accidents. We know flexibility is important, but is it done correctly? I see many people bouncing up and down on their leg to stretch, the so-called ballistic stretch. The best is the dynamic stretch – stretch to the point of resistance without pain and hold for 20 seconds.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As we age, we become a fragile work force. All the knowledge and years of experience should be protected. I am proud that we have installed handrails in some buildings to help navigate hallways.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">We need to pay attention to the workforce.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>During Christmas at a hospital, it was very festive, and someone wrapped the handrails with Christmas lights effectively removing the hand rails from use. It didn’t’ affect me, a worker, but a patient would be hindered.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">During an emergency, pay attention to those having trouble exiting the building.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>I always monitor these situations so that I can help.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;">So, join the team that investigates accidents and learns from other’s mistakes.</span></p></article></main></div></div></div></div>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-18249399954012721102020-08-05T11:32:00.004-07:002020-08-05T11:32:53.798-07:00What Makes a Good Meeting?What Makes a Good Meeting?<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/safety-fly">https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/safety-fly</a></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I have done some travelling and a lot of times while on the job here, it reminds me of my many travels.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I think of a Tour Bus. I was on the big island of Hawaii on my way to Mauna Kea. I had driven up there before and gotten to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>No one told me that it was not advisable to drive up to the summit (Of course, I had not checked!). I had a rental car and was told that if I got stuck, not only would it take possibly a few days to get the car towed, the rental car agencies would take no responsibility and I would be paying for extra rental despite lacking the use of the car for a few days.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">So, I signed up for the Tour Bus. There are a lot of travel guides, but the Tour Bus through the years knows what is important and interesting.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I note that they have a schedule and agenda. If I had missed the bus, then I would miss the whole thing. As we travelled, I learned a lot and the guide noted interesting things. We stopped several times. I wish that I had known more about the places and I noted things that I wanted to follow up on, but then the train boarded and off we went again.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As we traveled there were more and more places we would go that I would like to continue. The top of Mauna Kea has an incredible sky and the tour guide had brought a powerful telescope that we used to gaze at planets. I wanted to stay there longer even though I could feel the altitude (almost 14,000 feet above sea level)! One lesson learned here applies to meetings: maybe there are too many meetings. Do we have enough time to prepare, do we have enough time to give our full attention, do we have enough time to follow-up?</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Recent meetings have certainly changed. Now we are online. Attendance is up and meetings are longer.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Some things remain the same. We all gather together. We have invitees and we have those that find out about a meeting and attend.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>The invitees may be on the agenda. Some are expected to brief.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Paying attention to briefings is important, as well as minimizing distractions wherever the work area may be.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The good thing about having our Fort Meade Safety and Occupational Health Advisory Committee (SOHAC) which meets once a quarter is that everyone has something to contribute. We all see hazards. We all hear about hazards. But we don’t always communicate them. Meetings like the SOHAC meeting provide a good chance to pool information.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The most important thing is the follow up. We need to identify hazards and then ensure they are eliminated or abated. It is not enough to request a work order. It is essential to check on progress. If you can’t fix a hole in the ground, mark the hazard with marking tape.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri" style="box-sizing: border-box;">So after a trip to the safety meeting, don’t forget why we attend: to identify and eliminate hazards.</font></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Making a meeting good!</span></p></div>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-48381192988000367372020-08-05T11:29:00.006-07:002020-08-05T11:33:12.924-07:00REVERSING BAD DECISIONS: TWO EXAMPLES OF INCREDIBLE SURVIVAL<div><h1 class="page-title" style="background-color: white; border-left: 6px solid rgb(40, 40, 46); box-sizing: border-box; color: #28282e; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.8em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 30px 0px 50px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-transform: uppercase;">REVERSING BAD DECISIONS: TWO EXAMPLES OF INCREDIBLE SURVIVAL</h1></div><div><a href="https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/reversing-bad-decisions-two-examples-incredible-survival">https://home.army.mil/meade/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/digital-meade/reversing-bad-decisions-two-examples-incredible-survival</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; width: 970px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div class="col-sm-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 970px;">6/25/20, 5:06 PM</div></div></div><div class="container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595857; font-family: Overpass, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; width: 970px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div class="content-primary col-md-8" id="primary" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin-top: 30px; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 646.662px;"><main role="main" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><article style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">Kirk M. Fechter</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="byline_credit" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Director, Garrison Safety Office</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">Safety on the Fly</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Roboto, Droid-Sans, sans-serif !important; font-size: 1.75em; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></h2><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="drop_initial-c" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">W</span>hy do some survive a series of mistakes and bad judgment?</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We have analyzed that a series of bad decisions can bring on an accident or put us in a perilous situation.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How does one survive? One key thing is, no matter how many bad decisions you make, you need to finally make a good decision. Physical fitness and powerful willpower also might be needed to survive.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I remember Jim Stolpa, a Soldier from California, who headed to Idaho for a funeral with his wife, Jennifer, and baby in 1993.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-07-mn-949-story.html" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #e64946; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-07-mn-949-story.html</a></p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The first decision to make was route selection. Mistake 1: The choice made was to travel east on the I-80 freeway toward Nevada. A lot of progress could have been made traveling north on Interstate 5 that gets a lot less snow than the mountains.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(I think of the Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada that trapped settlers traveling west a century ago.)</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite all the traffic beating down the snow on the interstate, the salt and the earth-moving equipment, the road was closed for snow.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mistake 2: The next bad decision. They chose to bypass the interstate and go another route. At some point, they got stuck in the snow.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mistake 3: The next bad decision. They left the car that offered shelter from the wind and cold and also offered heat as long as fuel was available. They walked looking for help.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The better choice was to leave the wife and baby in the car, especially since there was plenty of water in the form of snow that could be melted.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Good Decision 1: At some point, a decision was made to leave the wife and baby in the shelter of a cave.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Good Decision 2: He found the car and used it for shelter (Bad Decision 3 resulted in the car not starting because of the cold.)</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Good Decision 3: He began running for miles on the route he had traveled, looking for help.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heroic Decision 1: Suffering from hypothermia, he would not accept medical help until he showed the rescuers where his wife and daughter were in the cave.</p><div class="subhead" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lucky Event</strong></p></div><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I also remember Walter Marino and his son Chris, who both survived for half a day treading water in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida in 2008.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When it comes to heroic will to survive, this man — who was wading in a harbor with his son — is a great example. This was Mistake 1, because the harbor was subject to swift flows out to sea. His son, who had autism, was being swept into the ocean.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heroic Decision 1: The man jumped in the water to save his 12-year-old son. They were swept quickly to sea and disappeared from view from shore.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heroic Decision 2: The man continued to stay with his son and talked with him.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bad Occurrence 1: They became separated in the night.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual Soundness: Under the stars and in the dark Atlantic, he turned to his spirituality, realizing his life was in God’s hands. A religious medal rested on his chest.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lucky Event No. 1: The man’s medal flashed in the morning sun and was seen by fishermen who had gotten a late start that day. They turned and rescued the man.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heroic Intervention: They called the Coast Guard. Using the man’s present location, they were able to set up a helicopter search and found the boy.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heroic Intervention No. 2: They were taken for medical care after more than 12 hours in the Atlantic Ocean, off the shore of Melbourne, Florida.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It was a lucky event because the water was warm enough not to cause hypothermia as fast as it would in the northern Atlantic Ocean.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In summary: Whenever one makes a bad decision or series of bad decisions, sometimes it is not too late to make good decisions.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If one has made bad decisions, they should gather their strength of will and spiritual strength and soundness, and never quit.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">These are two actual examples of survival.</p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="byline_name" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Kirk M. Fechter</span></p><p style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="byline_credit" style="border: 0px currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Director, Garrison Safety Office</span></p></article></main></div></div></div></div>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-2606745028877444032018-08-31T12:14:00.001-07:002018-08-31T12:14:17.589-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">An Army story. So the First Sergeant is speaking to the Drill Sergeants. "You need to be better counseling the soldiers. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I'm so darn close."</span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-40780087341167398282018-08-31T12:11:00.001-07:002018-08-31T12:11:26.128-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">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 c</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">onversation!. 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.</span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-20259448773830862262018-08-31T12:08:00.001-07:002018-08-31T12:08:22.676-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">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.</span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-35099502657274486062018-08-31T12:06:00.001-07:002018-08-31T12:06:23.455-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">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.</span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-86956931766918604742018-08-31T12:05:00.003-07:002018-08-31T12:05:27.618-07:00A short Bio<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">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</span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-21355474792449363012018-08-31T12:05:00.000-07:002018-08-31T12:05:10.119-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was asked early in my Army career, "when does a good soldier need a haircut?"Never was the answer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #eff1f3; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eff1f3; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="UFICommentBody" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I told this joke to one of my children.. when repeated to friends, the friends didn't think it was funny.</span></span></span></span></span>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-37493956662228223012018-08-31T12:03:00.001-07:002018-08-31T12:03:20.437-07:00<br />
Safety and Cyberspace<br />
<br />
http://ftmeadesoundoff.com/communitynews/guestcolumn/safety-and-cyberspace/<br />
<br />
The ABCs of Back to School Safety<br />
http://ftmeadesoundoff.com/education/educationnews/abcs-back-school-safety/Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-36628871741139142962018-03-02T17:11:00.003-08:002018-03-02T17:11:22.370-08:00The Dead Sea Scrolls<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I wrote in the Commander’s Column in the Soundoff! that I have been told that I sound like a “broken record” when it comes to safety. Each season, I talk about the same hazards. Two-thousand years ago, some of the same Bible texts we have today were hidden in caves in the Dead Sea. We had texts of the Bible, but people were all excited to read these old texts. I would like people to be excited about my recurring safety tips. I know they won’t, but I can dream!!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> I think I w</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ill place my lifetime safety book, My Goodbye to Safety, in a cave. When it is found in 2000 years, I think people will be interested in something that happened about 25 years ago. At Fort Meade, MD, we support military deployed world-wide in harm’s way. About 25 years ago, the 101st Air Assault Division deployed and fought in Iraq during Desert Storm. When they returned, in the next year, there were more fatalities than they had in Iraq. The cause –DUI. Today, we have the same hazard we had 25 years ago and we talk about it every year, every day. I wish we could stop talking about it. I do recommend if you feel the need to drive impaired, talk to a substance abuse counselor.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-91064386082415802017-12-26T10:15:00.004-08:002017-12-26T10:15:58.067-08:00Today I am thinking about my time in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. I was out running one evening and encountered 3 people around are fire. In my fractured Arabic, I determined that they were truck drivers. They offered me some coffee and in the spirit of hospitality, a tradition acquired through centuries from the Bedouin. As we chatted, I also determined that two of the truck drivers were Jordanians, and one was a Palestinian who asked me, "do you hate Jews?" I reacted with a laugh. "I love everyone." The two Jordanians nodded and said, Qwayas." - Good. We sipped our coffee and then I departed, Maa Salam. - with peace.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-36118934167832705602013-09-24T12:39:00.000-07:002013-09-24T12:39:39.075-07:00The Boat: Seattle to VictoriaI feel a bit bad for visitors to Seattle. There is not enough time to do everything. A great example is that boat that goes from Seattle to Victoria. <a href="http://www.clippervacations.com/seattle-victoria-ferry/">http://www.clippervacations.com/seattle-victoria-ferry/</a> When you live in Seattle, you can plan and use one of the 365 days to get on the boat and travel in style. My church group decided to take the trip to visit another church in Victoria. We soon gathered in a section and I had my trusty guitar and began to play and we all sang together knowing that the trip would take about 4 hours. After awhile, it was time to take a break. I was walking around the boat and was trying to play the harmonika I had brought along. A girl who claimed to be from New York gave me some instruction and I have been able to play ever since. (I was at a Karaoke singing and pulled out my harmonika, some of the audience thought it was part of the background music!! Cool!!) Anyway, we arrived and we had an activity which was a bit of a hike from our sleeping quarters. We were walking along the street, when we were offerred a ride by the police who had their "paddy wagon." (One of the few stories where being picked up by the police has a happy ending!!) We had a nice time at the church service and then we were ready to boat back to Seattle. Of course, there was some more guitar playing. What were my favorite songs? Amazing Grace, He's every thing to me, Pass it on, Make a joyful noise, Make me a fisher a men, etc!!! Fortunately, when I visit Seattle now, I don't worry about the boat trip since I have done that and have the T-Shirt.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-6576918926662414832012-04-04T10:54:00.001-07:002012-04-04T11:04:55.998-07:00Kindness Goes a long way<a href="http://www.godvine.com/Kindness-Boomerang-This-is-What-Life-is-All-About-966.html">http://www.godvine.com/Kindness-Boomerang-This-is-What-Life-is-All-About-966.html</a>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-2809206373833989042012-04-04T10:49:00.000-07:002012-04-04T10:53:58.332-07:00JoeyMy son, Joseph, Joey. I remember his birth well since it was an emergency C-Section. I was concerned because he was 2 months early and the doctor had stated weeks earlier that he would die in the womb. <a href="http://www.cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2008/09/cherishlife.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2008/09/cherishlife.html</a> Joey has autism and doesn't talk, but every moment is precious. I miss him whenever I am not with him. He is so loving and active. He has such joy when we run over to the playground and he climbs and hangs on the equipment. We love to watch movies together.. he lets me know when he wants to watch Nemo!! I just wanted you to be able to share the joy of each day with Joey and I.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-27838009544497297392012-04-04T10:40:00.000-07:002012-04-04T10:49:46.948-07:00RachelMy daughter Rachel is 11 years old. It is easy to remember..the day before Valentine's day. Rachel is a bundle of energy. She can run like the wind, gracefully rock climb, and ride her bike up steep hills. She is also learning to express herself, maintains a desire to learn new things (she is very adept with learning verses from the Bible), and is very social. There are times when she is very sweet and loving with her brother, Joey, who has autism. I am grateful how she deals with her frustrations, because I hope to share with her what I think is most important, character. Happy birthday, Rachel.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-26475984471575303842012-04-04T10:39:00.002-07:002012-04-04T10:40:11.984-07:00Ranger Creed"Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some." Ranger Creed<br /><a href="http://www.army.mil/values/ranger.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.army.mil/values/ranger.html</a>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-49132738797631907882012-04-04T10:39:00.001-07:002012-04-04T10:39:41.140-07:00ASISTI hope to continue with Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) even after I retire. These days, a lot of people could use some first aid to prevent the hurts of life building up to something worse.<br /><a href="http://www.army.mil/article/38290/Soldiers_learning_to_ASIST_potential_suicides/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.army.mil/article/38290/Soldiers_learning_to_ASIST_potential_suicides/</a>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-53941797617660760732012-04-04T10:35:00.000-07:002012-04-04T10:36:21.890-07:00LynAbout four years ago my cousin Lyn Masnor passed away. The same day my grandchild, Grace, was born. That softened a devasting blow because when Lyn passed away, a bright light became dark. I can't get over her loss but thankfully, her memory lives on. So I continue to be interested in genealogy and the new friends and relatives I discover. Lyn was always so happy when I shared stories about my new friends. Lyn would have had at least 5000 friends on Facebook. I am honored to have the Facebook friends that I have, in a way each one of my friends reminds me of Lyn.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-22006068710587940072012-04-04T10:33:00.000-07:002012-04-04T10:35:01.462-07:00Judicial ActivismQ: "How do you define the term "judicial activism," and is it ever proper for a federal appellate judge to consider his or her personal preference as to the outcome of a case (other than the preference to decide the case correctly in accordance with the law) in deciding how to rule?"<br /><br />A: "Judicial activism could mean many things, but primarily it is the substitution of the court's view for the policymaker's view, in cases where the decision properly should rest with the policymaker, or substituting the court's view for what the Constitution says, where a constitutional provision is at stake. A judge should not consider his or her personal preference as to outcome, any more than an umpire should call balls and strikes based on which team is his or her favorite."<br /><br />attributed to Judge Jerry Smith by Texoma from a 2003 interview<br /><a href="http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=54&threadid=6581101&start=31&CurrentPage=2" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=54&threadid=6581101&start=31&CurrentPage=2</a>Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-10536928933665800132011-12-15T14:21:00.002-08:002011-12-15T14:33:43.312-08:00Christmas, 2011This is a third in a series of Christmas blogs, 2003, 2009.<br /><br /><a href="http://cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2003.html">http://cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2003.html</a><br /><a href="http://cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2009.html">http://cptkirkenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2009.html</a><br /><br />So now here is Christmas 2011!!<br /><br />First, I have some proof that some things can't be improved..I continue to recognize that the Miracle on 34th Street that I grew up with is superior to any remake. The remakes only can compete for second place. However, I still look back over all the years and wish that I had all the technological goodies that we have now. The cell phone with GPS causes me to miss the fun of pulling off the interstate where I am making great time to find the pay phone that either doesn't work or has the page that I need to find the store I am looking for ripped out while I am standing there freezing in the Christmas cold. I remember a call to my son from the pay phone in the snow in Colorado.. It was cold. When writing a paper for college, I would end up with a bunch of pieces of paper that had to be organized into a collage for the final attempt to type it. I pitied the poor typist who was given my work with all the arrows and scribbles.<br /><br />So what is my point. I notice that the values of belief and love and hope can be expressed sometimes in a timeless manner. The message of Miracle on 34th Street transcends all the new situations and technology. Tim Tebow demonstated that when we believe in someone, we can make them better on the football field. How much better then to make some better in their life. I was thinking that Tebow time starts when a receiver drops a sure pass for a touchdown and Tebow assures that receiver that they will catch the game winning touchdown. So at this time of year, when can remember those strong service members who have been wounded, injured, or broken in spirit from conflict. Wc can be strong for them and encourage them to try to get well and "get better" each day.<br /><br />God bless us all!!Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-47736839549984546772011-11-02T18:52:00.001-07:002013-10-11T11:09:47.211-07:00Wish I had the videoEvery year, the University of Washington Huskies, my alma mater, and where I attended graduate school, play the University of Oregon Ducks...the place I matriculated my Freshman year of college. The reason I went to the U of O was because I was a runner and I wanted to be a better runner. Obviously I won't forget the day that I made a trip to Eugene, OR and there on the track was Steve Prefontaine. He was doing cut downs.. He was running 110s on the track trying to increase the speed of each on the four after running about 10 miles. Don, one of the coaches, asked me if I wanted to meet Steve and he came over. "We could always use some more runners, " he said. Steve is a legend but that was not exactly a true statment. They were loaded. Only months from that meeting, Steve would win the National Cross Meet and the team including my room-mate Randy James, 19th place, an All-American, would win the nationals. It was indeed an experience. But the real point of this is to explain how such a UW football fan would end up at Oregon. I would say I was conflicted. I loved the Oregon runners but I still loved my dawgs. So it came to pass that I attended the home game my freshman year at Oregon when they played the dawgs. It was a hard fought game as befits the rivalry. Oregon was ahead, but the Huskies were driving. Now the whole game amidst the Oregon student section there was one very loud Husky fan. As the game progressed he got louder and bolder and drunker. So on the last drive, he was slurring, "Go Huskies!" and the crowd just looked at him in silence as the Huskies drove down the field. The Husky fan was in his glory as the dawgs lined up for the game winning field goal. Louder and louder, "Go Huskies!" The kick went up... No good. The poor fellow utterly deflated and the crowd didn't say anything but I think he was overcome by vibes as he slunk off in silence.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-7584768550252095162011-07-02T19:22:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:44:55.606-07:00My Karaoke and singing with a band CareerI don't remember when I first did Karaoke. I started singing in front of crowds in Elementary School as part of our informal choir. And later, I used to lead songs at church and other venues ultimately leading to a few performances. I played in a band: John 3:16. I was the lead guitarist, did some back-up and lead vocals and played bass on some of our songs.<br /><br />In the early 70s in Victoria, British Columbia, I ran about 3o miles from Sooke and volunteered to sing songs with my guitar at a coffee house. ( I used to have a lot of energy).<br /><br />I lead some songs on my guitar for the troops at Ft Dix, New Jersey for some outdoor field church services and I sang a song for a group at a prayer breakfast at Fort Dix,New Jersey.<br /><br />In 1984, in Bainbridge, Ga after winning a 20 K run there, I sang Luckenbach Texas with the band(I miss Waylon)<br /><br />It was a Fort Rucker that I remember singing Karaoke at the Officer's club there in the 80s. The crowd always loved, "Born to Be Wild." My most memorable singing with the band was at a Christmas formal. I was persuaded to sing, "Take this job and shove it" Some friends applauded my bravery to sing such as song but the leadership thought I did a great job with singing.<br /><br />In 1994, I got up with a band in Hawthorn, Nevada at a Casino and sang a few.<br /><br />During a trip to Germany in 2006, I found myself in an Irish pub, and the guitar player and singer let me get up on stage.<br /><br />In the early Millenium, I did a lot of singing at Nick's in Alexandria. Great place to do country dancing, then take a break and sing.<br /><br />I had some good times in Baghdad 2003-2004. At the Hotel Rashid, I sang with the band, and played guitar and bass with the band. I sang a cappella at a pool party. I did some Karaoke at the Palace in the Green Zone-Born to be Wild. It is on video tape and I wonder if I will get a monetary offer to destroy the tape!!<br /><br />During a trip to Korea in 2010, I discovered that Korean Karaoke is a little different. A group rents a room and then they pick their own songs. It is different.<br /><br />This year, 2011 I sang Karaoke in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona, and also Albequerque, New Mexico.<br /><br />Recently I was in what is known as the best Karaoke place in Vegas, Ellis Island. The good thing is that there is a crowd, the bad thing is that it takes about an hour plus to sing after singing a song. But, I was so good that someone bought me a drink. (Great pay) I have been going there since the early 90s. I was in a contest once where I did, "Keep your hands to yourself" playing also my harmonika. I lost to the one who sounded like Frank Sinatra.<br /><br />Very recently I was in Brussels, Belgium. There were only about 10 people, but I was impressed with the talent. I heard song in French but also in English with virtually no accent with beautiful tones.<br /><br />I must note that I had the privilege to sing a duet a capella with my friend Vanessa at my graduation from a training program. We sang the National Anthem.<br /><br />As long as I have breath, I will make a joyful noise.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-6991605757232687152011-06-28T15:22:00.000-07:002011-06-28T15:35:45.192-07:00BirthdaysWell I have had a few birthdays. I can remember back to my 5th one. There I was in Seattle in the U District with some of my neighbor friends in the yard of my baby sitter. I won't go through all of them but it worked out that most of my friends celebrated birthdays during the school year but mine was a family affair in Edmonds with my mom, her mom and dad and my uncle, aunt, and cousin. I don't complain about the date, I have a grandson who is a Christmas baby. He will always get less because Christmas is the "big deal" and so the birthday is the afterthought. As I got older birthday celebrations weren't such a big deal..my wife even forgot but did a nice make-up celebration the next day. It is interesting the Orientals count birth as the year one since they count the womb without a view time. I would have liked to have the year when I was 15 so I could drive earlier, but I am trying to subtract years now. There are people that don't celebrate birthdays. That is their thing but me, I always like a party. I take my kids to a restaurant and they say, "dad, don't embarass me, don't tell anyone it is my birthday. Me, well just the opposite. I look around and expect the whole restaurant to sing. I mean, I call out anyone who is eating and not singing. I even make the cook take a break to sing. Anyway, I have already enjoyed my early birthday wishes on Facebook and I think this year I will get the most birthday wishes that I ever had. Cards are nice and appreciated, but seriously to any who reads this, I really appreciate the birthday greetings and I hope we share many many more birthdays together.Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283145887218244783.post-21325237264892684692011-01-19T21:48:00.000-08:002011-01-19T21:53:58.107-08:00PoetryDriving in the cold, snow, dark and silence Kafka images at the time for 18 years streamed as the river in the Country Doctor which now streams back 45 years but the future is as cold, snow, dark and silence unless God or metempsychosis intervenes but I awake uncomfortable and confused by the streaming river or am I asleep or am I in eternity?Kirk Fechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360893068592333591noreply@blogger.com1