I’ve never done this in the six and half years as your state fire marshal. I want to talk about my parents. On September 15th my sweet Mother turned 89, and Wednesday, October 25th my Daddy turned 90. Together, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 24th. From their union, they brought five children, three boys and two girls. I want to share my mom and dad’s love story, hope you enjoy it.
Juanita and Joe had fallen in love a few months prior from this day (October 24) 70 years ago. Juanita had been living and working in Bakersfield, Missouri at the time. She attended Bakersfield First Assembly of God which was in an extended revival with Evg. Darrell Friend. Joe happened to give his heart to the Lord at the end of the revival. He had his eye on Juanita, but she would not respond to him because he was not a Christian (yet), after he surrendered his heart to the Lord, the love sparks started flying.
Joe was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) and would return home as much as he could. After their brief acquaintance, they decided to get married. Juanita had no reservations because the Lord had spoken to her that Joe was the “one”. They decided October 24, 1953, would be their wedding date. Just a reminder that these were pre-cellphone days! The day arrived and Juanita was busy about the day getting things ready for the wedding. Joe on the other hand was still waiting on clearance to get the weekend home. He finally got clearance. He started hitchhiking home (that’s another story in itself). The wedding was scheduled for 7 p.m. He arrived around 6 p.m., in uniform. Juanita was relieved upon his arrival.
They had a beautiful wedding that Friday evening. The church was packed. Joe had to return to FLW on Sunday, promising to be back to get his bride after he secured an apartment. They lived near the base for about a month until Joe got his orders for deployment to Germany to leave on January 1. He was in Germany from January 1954 until May 1956. Joe and Juanita remained faithful to each other and God all that time! Upon Joe’s arrival home, Memorial weekend 1956, Juanita had purchased and furnished a house as their first house together. Since then, God has blessed them with five children and spouses, twelve grandchildren and spouses, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and several grands and great-grands already waiting on the other side.
My Dad was a volunteer firefighter while I was growing up. I watched him over my young life respond at all times of the day and night. It was always awesome as a family when we were going somewhere, and a call would come in and we got to respond to the call. I observed all of the actions and how everyone pulled together to mitigate the emergency. I had the opportunity and privilege to serve for a time with Dad on West Plains Fire and Howell County Rural Fire Protection District. Dad retired after serving over 25 years in the Missouri Fire Service. He followed that up with getting elected onto the Howell County Rural Fire Board and still serves as board chair to this day.
Dad and Mom thank you for setting the bar high for us kids to love and care for each other and mankind! Setting a consistent example, but most importantly living a Godly Christian life, serving your country, our family, and the community! My wish, when I grow up, is to be just like you!
We are coming to the close of Fire Prevention Month. “Thank you” to every department that has participated. As a former mayor of mine would always say “A good day is when you never leave the station” This year’s theme draws attention to kitchen fire safety. We are moving into the holiday cooking season. Kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of residential fires. Help educate your community, use social media, local radio, and TV to help carry our message “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.™”
I want to express how appreciative and proud I am of our Missouri Memorial Foundation Board for putting together a professional 2023 annual Saturday Candlelight Service, and following it up with a well-attended Sunday Memorial Service recognizing our eight line-of-duty-deaths, along with our non-line-of-duty-deaths. We are fortunate to have an incredible site to honor those who served our Missouri Fire Service. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend a success.
Finally, I say farewell to a fire service legend, commandant, friend, and an all-around good man. Thank you Fire Chief Albert William “Bill” Westhoff, Jr. for your many years dedicated to learning, then taking that knowledge and sharing it all across our state, and nation. I want to thank your wife Elaine and your six children for sharing you with us over four decades. I will miss seeing you and reading your articles in this magazine. Who will fill your shoes?
We will be filling our fire mutual aid coordinator position soon, Matt Luetkemeyer is filling the role until we get a replacement. Please call or email (tim.bean@dfs.dps.mo.gov) if you have any issues (573-751-1742).
Happy holidays, thanks for serving our Missouri Fire Service! Stay safe!
FFAM
