Greetings! What a busy time for all of us in the fire service. The spring weather has been beautiful, and we have been receiving rain. Maybe too much.
I want to take this time to say, “Thank you,” to everyone that attended my retirement celebration on March 16. To say the least, I was very humbled by the over 400 friends that came and celebrated with me.
My wife and daughter did an outstanding job coordinating every last detail. All of the dignitaries and organization representatives presented special gifts that were very appreciated. It took many people to pull this together and I thank each of you.
I still hold a position with Little Dixie but not as their chief. Mainly consulting.
As far as the weather goes, everyone at the FFAM Annual Convention in Sedalia, Missouri, told me it was one of the best that they can remember in many years. I want to thank Gail Hagans for all of the photographs. She did an outstanding job of recording the history of the 2019 FFAM Convention. I have yet to go through all of the photographs. History is so important, please never forget that.
The opening ceremony on Friday night went well and I appreciate everyone that attended. The contests were also well attended and a crowd of around 250 attended the Saturday night banquet. All of these things I mentioned did not just happen by chance but were because of a well planned and executed effort by the FFAM Board, headed by 1st Vice-President and Chief Larry Jennings.
Congratulations also to all the award winners and contest winners. I will let the Committee Chairs write about this in their articles. Senator Jeanie Riddle, speaker at the banquet did an excellent job.
It was a great convention and I thank everyone that had a part in its presentation. There is no way I could even begin to name everyone that helped. Again, awesome job.
Sandy Karsten, Director, Missouri Department of Public Safety will be our Sunday morning speaker at our annual Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial on May 19, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., in Kingdom City, Missouri. I am sure Chairman Keith Smith will write more about that event.
Our Candlelight Service will be May 18, 2019, at 9:00 p.m., and Dan Smith, retired firefighter will be the speaker. Dan will encourage each of us as we remember those that have gone before us. Dan ministers with the Farber Christian Church.
The Honor Guard Commander this year will be Lieutenant Tracy Gray with the Columbia Fire Department. We invite all Honor Guards and Pipes and Drums to come and participate on Sunday morning and you may contact Commander Gray.
As you are reading this, our Memorial Museum is under construction. We hope to be under roof by the time the Annual Memorial Services are held.
We also had an election of officers at convention and that brings me to congratulate everyone that was re-elected. I appreciate all of the officers, directors, and assistant directors. They invest many hours serving FFAM in many ways, attending meetings, promoting FFAM in their districts, serving on various committees, and having a can-do attitude when I ask for a special task to be accepted. As president, I could not ask for a better group of individuals to serve with.
Our next board meeting will be held on June 2, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., in Sedalia at the fire station.
As always, I want to hear from anyone that has a question or a concern. This is everyone’s association. You may contact me by phone at 573-581-6235 or by e-mail at chiefhoover@sbcglobal.net.
Until we gather again, I wish each of you the best and God Speed.
Kenneth Hoover
President
Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
FFAM
