This month, rather than outline our challenge, I decided to offer some perspective with regard to the "challenge" we face as compared to the "sacrifice" of some of our fellow Americans.

In 1986 I first met a skinny, shy and bewildered 13 year old boy who happened to live in the house next door. After getting to know him fairly well, I watched him become a Life Scout, an accomplished wrestler and a remarkably bright young man. Christopher McGowan, a product of a middleclass Irish family, was undecided about college and confused about his future. He decided to apply and was eventually accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Chris McGowan, an average student in High School, graduated in the top 50 in the West Point Class of 1993. He married Shara Kistner, also a West Point graduate from Jefferson, South Dakota. The McGowan’s’ were first sent to Germany, where they were stationed for 3 years. Sometimes together and sometimes apart they were eventually reassigned back to New Jersey then West Point, NY, then Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then to Korea and back to Kansas City, Missouri. During this time Chris and Shara have managed to raise three children, Luke, 12, Erin 9, and Sean 4.

The children have already been in three different schools and are planning to relocate once again to the Washington, DC area. Chris has spent as long as 12 months away from his family while in Korea, and both Chris and Shara’s duties prevent them from being together for sometimes months at a time. Shara, by the way, is currently a Special Agent for the FBI and is assigned to a counter-terrorism task force in Kansas City, Mo.

Currently a Major, Christopher McGowan is completing training with his Combat Engineer Battalion and awaits orders to deploy to Iraq for a 15 month tour of duty beginning sometime this spring. Major McGowan is the Operations Officer of a Battalion and his Battalion will provide "route clearance", seeking and destroying Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s). As Chris heads to the Middle East his wife and children will move to Washington DC, where Shara will continue her work for the FBI.

A combined Eight years at West Point, 20 years and counting in the Army, 3 years with the FBI, 2 Bachelors Degrees, 3 Masters Degrees and countless good service recognitions, this family continues to perform and commit themselves to protect our freedom and way of life. At great personal sacrifice, Chris and Shara McGowan conduct the business of America. They work every day to keep us safe. Like thousands of other men and woman who place their own lives on hold so that we may continue to place our lives first, the McGowan’s’ personify sacrifice and the acceptance of a challenge.

In no way do I attempt to diminish the challenges and commitments we make on a daily basis in New Jersey’s Fire Service. I do, however, want to acknowledge the sinking feeling we have when we go away from our families on a trip for a few days, a week and perhaps two. Remember how good it feels to come home as well. Then imagine the months and years that our service men and women spend away from loved ones, the transitions from home to home and assignment to assignment. Imagine the agony of leaving family time and time again, and the adjustments of coming home knowing you’ll have to leave again very soon.

I wish to dedicate the efforts of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association and the keeping of our members safe and provided for, to the men and women very much like Chris and Shara McGowan who epitomize character, courage and perhaps most of all sacrifice of self toward the service of others. God Bless the McGowan family, may Chris serve safely in Iraq and return home soon, may Shara continue to work safe stateside for the FBI fighting terrorism, and may Luke, Erin and Sean adjust to their new school and grow up to be great Americans, just like Mom and Dad. The NJ FMBA will continue to work with every local and every member to advance our agenda, maintain our ranks and protect our pensions and benefits.

In the meantime be sure you continue to work safely and return home after each shift so that we may all enjoy long, healthy and productive retirements when that day arrives. Let us never forget to enjoy and fully understand the blessed life we live because of all of our men and women in uniform.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Happy Easter and Happy Passover.