May 2,2004

1.A.F.F. Local 1951 President
City of Melbourne Firefighters
IAFF Local 1951

Dear Jim,

I would imagine that anyone who spends a majority of their lifetime employed in a
particular profession, and more specifically for a single employer, would feel an
overwhelming sense of emotion at the time that they bid farewell to their friends and
coworkers and retire. I say this because for the past few weeks, I have lived through this
experience myself, the culmination being the retirement party held at the FOP lodge in
Melbourne yesterday afternoon.

I find it somewhat difficult to express in words just how much it meant to me to be
honored by all of you, and to be in the company of the other individuals who were
honored that afternoon. The presentations that were given to me are gifts that I will
cherish for the rest of my life, and each time I see them I will look back with pride to the
time in my life when I was a Melbourne Firefighter. More important than gifts, however,
is the feeling I hold in my heart for the friends I have made throughout the years and the
experiences that we all went through and shared together. The special bond we share as
firelighters can be written about and talked about, but nobody but us will ever really
know what that bond is or feels like. I Just know that yesterday afternoon, I received a
double shot of it, and it was almost too much to take.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and everyone who took the time to plan, work, and
attend the retirement party for us, and I am quite sure that I speak for all the other retirees
when I say that we will miss all of you, we will look back fondly, and look forward to
seeing you again. Make the best of every shift, and cherish your moment in time.