Bad day......life is just TOO dam short

[azsnowman]

I had to come here, where my friends are at, to share my day. I swear to God, WHY oh WHY does this have to HAPPEN? We finished the second Search and Recovery missions in just as many weeks. Late yesterday evening, a 13 year old boy swam into a local lake after his older brother who had got caught up in some weeds and grass in the lake and the younger brother drown. We took our dogs out to find the exact point of entry into the lake late yesterday evening, the WMAT Police called the Gila County Dive Team from Payson in to aide in the underwater search and they pulled the body out this morning.

I knew from the day when we became involved in Search and Rescue that we would have days like this but NOT 2 searches in a ROW that ended in death of both subjects. I cannot convey what I'm feeling right now, terribly sad, EXTREMELY mad and basicly down in the dumps. I'll be ok, just needed to vent a little......

When we receive a call out for a search, we ALWAYS pray and prepare ourselves for the worst case scenarios, it's always in the back of our mind but to have 2 back to back is unprecidented and tough to handle. It just goes to show you, you NEVER, EVER KNOW when your time is up!! To all of you younger folks out there, DO NOT take a SECOND, a MINUTE for granted, DO NOT take the BREATH that you are taking for granted!!

Dennis

[Aslkahuna]

Imagine how the Minutemen felt yesterday when they found a young woman's body in the desert on their patrol yesterday. As they said, it wouldn't have happened if the US Government properly secured the Borders and also set up a good guest worker program.

Steve

[azsnowman]

Yes indeed Steve, yes indeed.

Dennis

[Swimdude]

Ugh, that's awful. What's worse is... It was an act of bravery. You're certainly right, makes all of my troubles seem insignificant...

[azskyman]

Sorry about your weekend, Dennis. Indeed, they just happen like that sometimes.

Back when I was the director of emergency services for our county in Illinois, we were called out to a small fishing lake where fishermen had reported gasoline rising to the surface. They were concerned that a vehicle may have gone into the lake.

I arrived there the same time as the divers (I had a military humvee as my official vehicle!), and we pinpointed an area where the smell of gasoline plus the colorant sitting on top of th water seemed to be strongest....about 20 yards off one point on the lake.

Larry Pearson was the diver who went down first...tagteaming it with his brother Pete. Both were master divers. I manned the radios onshore and we called in a paramedic unit as backup.

Within less than ten minutes, Larry came up first...announcing there was a vehicle...and a body. Lo and behold, up came Pete with the body....a lifelong city resident and local barber who many had thought of as a real friend in the community.

As his fishing gear was in the car, it was always assumed that Mr. Dewitt accidentally rolled the car into the lake....but one never knows. Never.

I remember that day as one not all that different than years. You see his son and I had gone to school together...same class, grew up through the years. And all of the sudden HIS life was going to change.

Dennis, your calling can be one with happy endings, sad endings, and everything in between. But it goes with the territory. Thank God there are those like you who are willing to help. Even the most tragic endings need those like you involved.

Thanks for your service, my friend. Sad is an understatement, but how true it is. Appreciate every minute, hour, and day. You may not get another.

[Stephanie]

I'm so sorry about those two deaths Dennis. I'm sure that eacch search & rescue takes a toll on you, successful or not.

It's a great job that you and Michelle do! (((HUGS)))

[bevgo]

dennis--that must be really hard for you and your dog. Just try to remember that your search might find someone that would be lost forever if not for your assistance. There was nothing you could do for those poor boys and their family but those you find alive will return to their lives and families.

I believe when God is ready for you then you are going home. You are right--don't take even one minute for granted and allways make sure those you love know you love them. If you say and show love every day then you don't have to grieve over lost chances to say goodbye or be sorry about what you said or didn't say.

My prayers are with you.

[alicia-w]

Imagine how the Minutemen felt yesterday when they found a young woman's body in the desert on their patrol yesterday. As they said, it wouldn't have happened if the US Government properly secured the Borders and also set up a good guest worker program.Steve

I couldnt agree more!!

Sorry to hear about the loss of life there. It is sad.

[Pburgh]

Dennis, I'm so sorry you had to go thru that. ((Hugs)) to you and Michelle. You know how I feel about making every minute count and telling people that you care for them and love them. Try and think of how many you have helped and divert your sad thoughts a little. If you need to talk, I'm here.
Dink

[beachbum_al]

Dennis I am sorry that you had to go through that but it is people like you that help when your love one is missing. And if the news is that they didn't make it is people like you who help those who lost their love ones. I know when my son was killed four years ago it was the people that were out there working the scene at the farm that came up to comfort me and make sure I was okay. I have to admit if it had not been for the search and rescue crew I would probably had been another statistic that killed themselves because the death of their child. There is a reason why you do this type of work. Not everyone can do this. It has to be your desire to find people, help people, and comfort those in the long run when their love ones don't make it through.

So the next time that you do have to do a search and rescue and the outcome is not what people hope for remember that you do help those that are left behind. And for that you are a hero as far as I am concern.

[feederband]

To all of you younger folks out there, DO NOT take a SECOND, a MINUTE for granted, DO NOT take the BREATH that you are taking for granted!!

Dennis

I always treat everyday like its my last......Its great and stress free...

[therock1811]

It just goes to show you, you NEVER, EVER KNOW when your time is up!! To all of you younger folks out there, DO NOT take a SECOND, a MINUTE for granted, DO NOT take the BREATH that you are taking for granted!!

Agreed with that. If you'd told me in August 2000 that I would go into cardiac arrest from septic shock, I would have told you that you were nuts. But since then, I've not taken the next millisecond for granted. My time could be up today, even if I don't know it. But if it's up, it's up, and there is nothing I can do. Just live every second like it's your last. You never know when it will be.

I am sorry your day was so bad. But it's the line of work you're in...and I'm sure the family appreciates your efforts.