Charlie Vance
TFA State Chaplain

THE CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE

By Charles M. Vance

 I usually wait for an e-mail from Wayne before I begin to write my message. The e-mail is a reminder that he has a deadline to have the TFA newspaper articles submitted in a timely manner. I don't know why I always wait until the last minute.

During the time period between issues of the newspaper I am always coming up with ideas to write for my article. Although I do not usually put pen to paper and many times those ideas get lost in my head.

I want to share with you the joy of being able to attend and be a part of the Annual TFA Conference held in Memphis. Our President, Battalion Chief Frank Cotton, worked very hard to roll out the red carpet to all of us who attended. If you didn't attend or have never attended the TFA Conference, you are truly missing out on a great amount of fire training information as well as networking and fellowship with firefighters and emergency service workers from across our State.

The Memorial that was conducted by the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains to honor our Line of Duty Deaths was very inspirational and all three families of our three fallen firefighters were able to be present as well as some from the fire departments they worked. This year we memorialized: Lieutenant Jeff Bowman of the Chattanooga Fire Department, Assistant Fire Chief Gary Tanner of the Pleasantville Fire Department and Mark Allen Stanley of the Tennessee Division of Forestry, a Forest Technician.

If you are waiting for an invitation to next year's Conference, well this is my invitation to you to do your very best and attend, bring your spouse and family. There are activities for everyone. The TFA is working each year to help sponsor legislation to better serve our fire and emergency services. You can help with this important task by attending the Conference. It is something I have been doing since 1973.

The TFA Needs You!

Our new President, Jim Whaley, from Alcoa has just been promoted to Deputy Chief and is not only taking on that responsibility but also is beginning to prepare for an all out effort to have the largest attended Conference the TFA has ever held. I look forward to seeing you in 2008 in Townsend. Again to Battalion Chief Frank Cotton - THANKS for a tremendous Conference in Memphis.

As a member of the Tennessee Fallen Firefighters Memorial Committee, I feel very awkward at times for not doing enough to better help in reaching our financial goal of $250,000.00. When the Committee was established , we all felt like with 20,000 plus firefighters and over 700 fire departments across our State it would be no problem in raising the money and providing the support needed to erect this beautiful memorial in a reasonable and timely manner. Tennessee is one of only a few states that does not have a memorial for its Fallen Firefighters. We have accomplished quite a bit with the cooperation of many in raising approximately $68,365. After expenses have been paid to incorporate with the State of Tennessee, acquire the 501(c)3 Federal status and fund raising expenses, there is a balance of $63,889. The 501(c)3 status makes your donation 100% tax deductible.

There is now a beautiful tract of land on the grounds of the Tennessee Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy and that tract of land is now furnished with an American and State flag as well as beautiful landscaping and lighting. Many of you and your fire departments have bought bricks for the Memorial walkway. Also many have competed in the TUFF Challenge as well as other events to raise funds. We have received some support from our corporate sponsors as well. I, as a member of the Committee, appreciate all the help that has been given to the erection of this Memorial. There is a lady on the Committee who works tirelessly each day and many weekends on her own time to help see this goal of the Memorial become a reality. Karen Alexander with the Tennessee Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy is a pillar of stone in helping to accomplish the Committee's objectives. Everyone should applaud Karen for her "going beyond the call of duty" efforts in her pursuit of this Memorial becoming a reality. I as a member of the Committee also applaud the staff at the TFACA.

There is still much to be done financially before this Memorial can be completed to the tune of approximately $187,000. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED - buy a brick if you have not done so yet. The price for the bricks are listed in this publication and also at the TFACA web site along with more information and the forms to be filled out. If anyone has a question that the Committee can help you with, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. I would hope each fire department and members of the fire service will step up and help support this project. This Memorial is YOUR MEMORIAL to our FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS in the State of Tennessee.

I would like to share with you some ways we can all be more kind and show brotherly love:

1. We must be genuine.
2. Be careful of each other's needs.
3. Never be lacking in zeal; be contagious with enthusiasm.
4. Be positive, patient, and prayerful.
5. Open your heart to others.
6. Never be disagreeable even though you disagree.
7. Be sympathetic to each other's feelings.
8. Avoid pride and partiality.
9. Be humble in the sight of GOD
10. Let the letter "I" be the least in your vocabulary. Use "we" more often.

As we all get older, we start losing some of our closest and dearest friends. This year I have been sadden by the loss of several of my close friends with the Nashville Fire Department. Some of these were hired along with myself in the early 1960's. These deaths have caused me to think on my own future and faith. I hope that as I continue my life, however long or short it may be, I will not burn any bridges. I hope and pray for you the same.

I leave you with this message:

Julius Caesar, the noblest Roman of them all, was once handed a list of his enemies. Without looking at it, he ordered it destroyed immediately. "I do not care to know who they are," said Caesar. "When they realize I am a better friend than enemy, they will be my friends." Let each of us strive to be a friend to all whether it be casual - business - or very personal. I am speaking to myself also. Being a friend to all and showing brotherly love causes our lives to be more abundant in the eyes of our Lord. And yes, Jesus does love us and proved His love by dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus wants us all to go to heaven.