Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

By Steven P. Velasquez Sept. 30, 2011 Raul Montes DeOca of "Wood & Strings" I visited my barber shop in Perth Amboy, NJ yesterday for some molding and shaping of my traditional “high & tight” hair.  I walked in and was quickly greeted by screaming, explosions, heavy gun and artillery fire interwoven between the horn and conga sections of a salsa band overhead.  Handshakes and hugs were exchanged as I was invited to sit in one of their chairs.  The rat ta tat tat of machine gun fire was deafening and surprisingly no one was ducking, diving or otherwise taking cover.  The staff was heavily engaged in a video game on an obnoxiously large screen and matching surround sound system.  As they wrapped my neck and cloaked my chest I tried to tune out the noise when the chair spun me toward a mirror with a sign that read “No cell Phones Please.”  They apparently didn’t want distracted customers talking or texting while they were approa...

by Steven Velasquez September 16, 2011 With a deep sigh and a glance at the changing weather, it quite unfortunately is time to say buh-bye butterfly fries.  Peace out pretzels.  Ciao Kohr's custard.  Ta ta taffy and farewell to funnel cake.  We'll be back again next summer (God willing).  These thoughts rattled about my mind as I passed the closed shops and stands, during a cathartic stroll along the boardwalk at Point Pleasant this week. Point Pleasant, NJ Brianna enjoys summer's end at the shore It was ten years and a day after hate-filled terrorists scarred the beautiful mental landscape of serene summer's past.  Now, and I anticipate for at least the rest of my summers, the seasons' end will always lead up to a tear-filled week in September filled with hugs, fond memories, prayer and reflection.  Those were the reasons I finally took a night to myself and partnered with my youngest, my angel, for some salt-water therapy and the to...

By Ron Jacobs, MICP (Reprinted with permission) Remember when 10 years ago On a bright September morn; When planes did crash and fire raged And our patriotism was reborn Interfaith memorial - So. Amboy, NJ 2001 Terrorists had attacked us But could not keep us down; As Fire, Police, and EMS Rushed to New York town So many of us were working On that 9/11 day; And all had but a singular thought That help was on the way. With little thought of personal care Through the rubble they made their way Looking to help wherever they could And maybe save the day. Alas there was no saving The damage had been done But no retreat was sounded Into the battle we all would run So many lives were tragically lost We all know more than a few; And none of us will ever forget The sites, the sounds, the view. So take a moment on this Sunday To reflect and remember the past To all who didn’t make it Your memories will always last. ...

by Nicolette A. Velasquez September, 2011 The following is a poem my daughter Nikki has composed for an English class.  She shared it with me on Facebook and well, you can imagine a father's response.  I'm sharing it with you and would love to hear your replies. Thank you in advance. I am from Steve and Dawn, But also Mark and Michele The girls and Michele We are Inkybink, Breezy, and Samonkey Sissy's I am from fire trucks, and ambulances And "I’ll be right back." With Daddy South Amboy Engine 7 I was from "Stop fighting!" Which became "Why is daddy packing?" I am from "What happened to Daddy’s office?" I am from the Twin Towers Nikki at Ground Zero Oct. 2001 I am from that little street next to the VFW, But also that townhouse down in Morganville Painting Brianna's bedroom Summer 2006 I am from "Time for church!" From platano's at Abuela’s and r...

By Steven P. Velasquez, NREMTP, MICP 09-07-11 During paramedic school, I went through a level of economic hardship I've never known till or since then.  I was 830 miles from home, totally unprepared to live on my own, never learned how to balance a check book, manage a budget or pay anything larger than a car payment and my beeper bill (it was the 90s no cell phones yet).  Now, trying to juggle tuition, books, rent, utilities, the truck payment, insurance etc… etc…  I was overwhelmed.  I had been evicted from several apartments, had checks bouncing all over the place, couldn’t pay a traffic summons, then got caught driving on a suspended license which, of course cost my employment too.  My parents did not have the resources to pay my way and I squandered all nine of my years of high school partying instead of learning and perhaps qualifying for a scholarship. During that period, overwhelmed, depressed and nearly beaten, I had, at the invitation of a...

By Steven P. Velasquez, NREMTP September 1, 2011 This post was originally written in a Facebook group honoring the memory of a dear friend and leader in the emergency services field.  David, like so many others, exchanged his life on 11th September, 2001 so that others may live.  His legacy lives on in the collective memories of those of us who knew and loved him.  We keep David, and others, alive by telling and retelling his stories, by displaying his image and by granting access to his family. This year, on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Union City, NJ will honor David's memory by renaming the street where th e David P. Lemagne EMS building is located.  16th St. between New York Ave. and Palisade Ave. will now be known as "David Lemagne Way."  Additionally, the Union City Museum will be unveiling a section focusing on the 9/11 attacks and will now have personal memorabilia of David's proudly on display there.  All are invited by the Lemagn...