This afternoon as I gaze across the westward landscape from the thirteenth floor, it is hard for me to believe what I see! It does not seem right for the foliage to be displaying its beautiful colors. What happened to summer? Zoom it’s gone!
First, I would like to take time and thank the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri for its vision twenty years ago to establish a Missouri firefighter memorial in Kingdom City. I stood proudly at this year’s candlelight and Sunday’s memorial service with hundreds of other fire service personnel and family members from across the state. We honored the line-of-duty deaths along with the other firefighters who passed while serving the Missouri fire service at our outstanding memorial site! Thank you FFAM and the memorial foundation board for maintaining and preserving our state firefighter memorial! Having a top-shelf memorial site allows families and we as the fire service to participate in honoring their and our loved ones. Again, “Thank you FFAM!” for your continued support! If you or your department would like to be involved in helping maintain this hallowed memorial site, please visit this website: www.mofirememorial-museum.org
I am going to use a “point of personal privilege” a term used by a legislator during a debate on the floor (as an example) to introduce a special guest. Please forgive me as I exercise my “point of personal privilege.” As a Missouri State Fire Marshal, I believe it’s important to recognize our state’s dedicated fire service members. One way I do this is by presenting certificates of appreciation for significant milestones or recognizing excellent service.
Recently, on September 28th I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had the honor of presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to my father, Joe R. Bean for his 26 years of service as the board president of the Howell County Rural Fire Protection District #1. His dedication to the fire service was evident in his regular board meeting attendance and his commitment to ensuring the department provided quality service to the community.
Seeing him step down at the age of 90 from a role that had been such a big part of his life was bittersweet. However, I’m proud to have been able to honor him for over 50 years as a volunteer firefighter and fire board member. Through his example, I and my son Nathanael followed in his footsteps. Thank you, Dad, for setting the bar!
In closing, I hope you exercised your right to vote. We will have a new President, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and several new State Representatives and Senators coming into office to name a few. I have said this numerous times, please get to know your state elected officials, it matters on so many levels.
Happy Veterans Day, thank you to each one of you who have served. Happy Thanksgiving, and finally Merry Christmas!
If I can be of any help to you, please reach out to me, tim.bean@dfs.dps.mo.gov or 573-645-2069.
FFAM
