William 'Billy' E Obenchain poem

If you want to be a clown
you'd better be lookin' for a circus.
If you're lookin' for a free ride,
here's a dollar call a cab.
If you want to be a showman
Vegas will welcome you with open arms.
If fullfillment of an ego is high on your priority list
Might I suggest Hollywood.
And if you want to be a millionaire
by all means this ain't for you.
But, if you don't mind hard work, sweating in freezing weather,
getting back less than half of what you give, and finding
your name at the bottom of your own priority list, then stick around!

I believe you could be a firefighter!!!


The above poem was written and delivered to every recruit over the last 25 years. This was delivered off the cuff and used to relieve the tensons of new guys. The author, Bat. Chief Obenchain has been battling Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma for a couple years. Recently, he has become hospitalized because of secondary effects of this disease process. I thought I would make this a post for all to enjoy and reflect. The simple nature of the poem reflects the light hearted and fun loving nature of Chief Obenchain.

Chief Obenchain is without doubt the most respected officer, the most respected fireman in Roanoke City Fire Department. His dedication and contribution to the fire service is so far above par, that acheiving the status as his peer is almost impossible. He has truely set the bar for those of us that attempt to follow in his footsteps. Chief Obenchain has taught classes throughout the state of Virginia and is known for his abilities and contributions to the fire service.

RoanokeFire.Com has this post on a fund raising effort for research on his particular disease. Please visit RoanokeFire's site and if possible place an order for a T-Shirt.

August 9th events in history

August 9, 1965 A fire at a Titan II missile base near Little Rock, Arkansas killed 53 construction workers. This is one of relatively few accidents with related deaths in our space program. The program as a whole has experienced several injuries and deaths but when compared to other occupations and the overwhelming number of people that have and currently work for the various agencies it is amazing they do not have more.

August 9, 1841 Erie boat in Buffalo New York catches fire; 242 die. I haven't found much information on this event.

On August 9th 1987 9 people were shot dead & 17 more injured as 19-year old Julian Knight opens fire at random in the 'Hoddle Street Massacre' in Clifton Hill

Recent Anniversaries of LODDs

Aug. 4, 1949: 13 firefighters were killed in a wildfire at Mann Gulch, Montana

Roseburg, Oregon - 18 Fire Fighters lost their lives on August 7, 1959 when a truck loaded with fertilizer exploded as they were attacking a fire at a truck shop.

I didn't want to let the dates get lost while I was on a recent vacation.

Often we focus on the bigger events of 9/11 and other headline grabbing events like that. The events that happen in wildfires and single incidents that claim the lives of firefighters are overlooked and that is the true tragedy.