APFF Trustee John Neal's father, Robert,  passed away. We wish to express our condolences to John and his family. Below is his father's obituary:

Robert Jack Neal, Age 89, Resident of Air Force Village I, San Antonio, TX, Died Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Air Force Village I of natural causes.
Born October 22, 1920 in Drakes Creek, AR to Zephro William and Grace Sharp Neal.
He was married May 6, 1942 to Helen Pauline Grim, of Green Forest, AR in Alexandria, Virginia, she preceded him in death on August 22, 2004. He is also preceded in death by: two brothers, Olen Neal and Clarence Neal, and one grandson, David Matthew Neal.
Robert Jack Neal was born in Drakes Creek, Arkansas and raised in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. After high school he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville studying Engineering. He enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers in July, 1940. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in July of 1941. He was accepted into Officers Candidate’s School graduating in 1942. After graduation he was eligible for flight training which fulfilled a lifelong dream to fly airplanes. He completed flight training in 1943 graduating at the top of his class. He served as an instructor and a pilot during WWII. He separated from the Army Air Corps in 1945 resuming his studies in Engineering at the University of Arkansas. He was accepted into the newly formed United States Air Force in November of 1947. He was Air Supply Squadron Commander on Guam where he managed over 400 men and maintained over 100 aircraft. Subsequent to his tour in Guam he was the Wing Commander of Supply in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in California. He was loaned to the US Corps of Engineers in France from 1952 to 1956 to assist in the rebuilding of the military infrastructure destroyed by WWII. He completed this assignment and returned to the USAF in 1956 stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. He was assigned to flight crew duty as the aircraft commander for SAC and was Wing Commander of the 100th Bomb wing until his retirement in 1962.
After retirement from the USAF he built his dream home in Springdale, Arkansas. During this time he was plant manager for Kearney Electric in Fayetteville. He left Kearney to direct the newly formed White River Rural Water Association. In 1973 he became the head of the Springdale Water and Waste Water Department. During his 10 years there its facilities expanded to match the city’s growth while at the same time the number of people it employed decreased. Major expansions during his tenure include installation of miles of 24 inch and 36 inch water mains and a five million gallon tank was erected and booster to support it. The city’s wastewater treatment plant was expanded from a facility capable of treating 8 million gallons of sewage per day to one handling 16 million gallons per day. He upgraded the department by installing a comprehensive computer system to handle all billings, records, accounting, inventory control, job and work orders, maintenance orders, meter repair schedules, payrolls and vehicle reports. He also installed computer monitoring of the water distribution system throughout the city. He retired from the Water Department in April, 1983.
During his retirement he enjoyed restoring multiple antique automobiles. He also enjoyed time with family, fishing, and travel to various locations including Europe, Russia, Alaska and the Panama Canal.
He attended the First United Methodist Church in Springdale until 2004 when he became a member of the Silent Grove Baptist Church. He was a member of the Rotary International and on the board of the Salvation Army.
He is survived by: Wife Doris Russell Neal whom he married January 1, 2005.
2 children: John Robert Neal and his wife, Mary Lu, of Harrison AR and Theta Marie Shank and her husband, Terry, of Rome, GA
7 Grandchildren: Todd Henley, Eric Henley, Jessica Henley, Traci Neal, Annie Wolfe, Jason Shank and Maggie Bergen
5 Great grandchildren: Nena Reese, Cooper Neal, Millicent Neal, Isabella Wolfe, Reegan Wolfe, Ethan Thompson and Chloe Thompson.
Visitation for the general public is Tuesday, February 2, 5-7 pm at the Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, AR. Funeral services are also at the chapel Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 12:30 pm. Interment is immediately following at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The Reverend Steven Johnson, Senior Pastor of Silent Grove Baptist Church, will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made:
In support of child burn victims to Camp Sunshine, c/o the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202
In support of marriages in crisis to WinShape Retreat, P. O. Box 490007, Mt. Berry, GA 30149

Eddie Parsley, President of Local 14 in Pine Bluff, reports that Lieutenant David Curlin continues to improve. Brother Curlin was injured in a building collapse at a commercial structure fire January 2. According to President Parsley, Brother Curlin is awake and able to communicate a little with family and friends. "Earlier this week he had a set back and some planned procedures were canceled.  We are not sure when these procedures will be rescheduled.  It has been three weeks since the accident and the family is holding up well.  Thanks for the support, the generousity and kindness."

Pine Bluff Lieutenant David Curlin, a member of Local 14, was critically injured this morning (Jan. 2) when he was struck by a steel beam during a reported collapse during a commercial structure fire. Brother Curlin underwent surgery today at UAMS in Little Rock and is reported to be in stable condition at this time. He suffered multiple injuries during the collapse and additional surgeries will be required in the coming days.

Attached is a photo of Clements Office Center on Main Street in Pine Bluff, the site of the fire.

Prayer Vigil: The Arkansas Firefighters Memorial has announced they will host a prayer vigil for Pine Bluff Lieutenant David Curlin Monday evening between 8:30p and 10p. The vigil will be held at the memorial statute currently on display at the Maumelle Fire Department at the intersection of Millwood Circle and Maumelle Boulevard. All are welcome to attend.

Relief Fund & Blood Drive: The Lieutenant David Curlin Relief Fund has been established at Simmons First National Bank. Donations can be made to the fund, which is account number 10925304. If making donations at a Simmons location outside of Pine Bluff, please tell them this is a Pine Bluff account. Also, a blood drive for Lt. Curlin will be held Wednesday, January 6 ad the Pine Bluff Central Fire Station from 10a until 3p.

Gentlemen, I hope this message finds you doing well and enjoying the new year. I have been asked by my local to send out this message in hopes that some assistance can be given to one of our brothers. Also, if possible to get it out to other state and district members. Any help in this matter would be much appreciated.

                                                                           Fraternally,

                                                                           Johnny Bradley Jr.  

                                                                           President

                                                                           Jacksonville Firefighters Local 2030

 

Jacksonville Fire Fighters Local 2030
 
President: Johnny Bradley, Jr.                                            Red Shift 501-351-1804
Vice President: Dewey Coy                                                Green Shift 501-454-6172
Sec/Treasurer: Robert Roland                                             Black Shift 870-378-0723
 
 
December 29, 2009
 
 
 
Dear union brothers and sisters,
 
 
     In August of this year, one of our long time members, Sam Ford, suffered medical problems that prevented him for working as an Engineer for our department. He has since exhausted all of his allocated FMLA time and is currently on sick leave. His sick leave will soon be exhausted also. He is hopeful that he will be able to return to work soon, but is still awaiting release from his physician. It is likely that he will be out of work for an additional extended amount of time. He is also unable to work on at his part-time off duty job. Sam has 3 school age kids to provide for during these difficult times. Sam needs all of our help that we can provide.
 
     The members of our Local 2030 have helped Sam financially through these difficult times for him, but, as a small local union we are unable to do all that is needed. Local 2030 would humbly like to ask your local to assist Sam in his time of need. We know that these are financially hard times for all, but any assistance that your members can provide would be greatly appreciated. Sam has been a union member throughout his entire career with our department and was always in favor of our assistance efforts to our locals and their requests.
 
     Any donations will be greatly appreciated and can be made to:
 
                        Local 2030
                        P.O. Box 6245
                        Jacksonville, AR. 72076
 
 
Sincerely,
 Local 2030 Membership

One of Little Rock's bravest was laid to rest Saturday, Oct. 24th.  Firefighter Dustin Werner was a Little Rock Firefighter and member of IAFF Local #34.  He passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21st after suddenly collapsing while jogging off duty.  Not only did Brother Werner serve the citizens of Little Rock, he also served the nation. Dustin was a Chief Warrant Officer in the Arkansas Army National Guard.  In 2006 he served a tour of duty in Iraq and flew Black Hawk helicopters.  Most recently he became a C-26 fixed wing pilot for the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Arkansas National Guard.  He was one of just a few pilots qualified in Arkansas to fly the "flying cigar", which the C-26 is sometimes called.

Dustin was assigned to Engine 15 "B" shift of the Little Rock Fire Department.  Engine 15 is one of the busiest engine companies in the state of Arkansas.

Brother Werner was born May 8, 1976, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He studied criminal justice at Pensacola Christian College.  Dustin wrestled for four years in college and was a three-time national champion.  Dustin graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1999, he then moved to Ward, Arkansas.

Dustin and his wife have a young daughter, a son and they are expecting another child in March.  Please continue to keep Dustin's family and the crews at Station 15 in your thoughts and prayers.   Anyone who would like to send letters of condolences or would like to donate to Werner's family love offering fund, please send to Local #34, 8619 Chicot Road, Little Rock, AR 72209.  Please make checks out to the Dustin Werner Fund.

IAFF Local 34 thanks you all for your thoughts and prayers.

The next quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters will be December 3rd at 12:30 pm with lunch being served at 12 noon. The meeting will be held at Little Rock Local 34’s offices, located at 8619 Chicot Rd. in Little Rock.        

LOPFI will also be holding their quarterly meeting on the morning of December 3rd starting at 9 am. You are encouraged to attend this meeting to stay informed on your pension system. It is hoped that each local can send at least one representative to the quarterly meeting.

Please notify Secretary-Treasurer Keith Fulmore via e-mail at apffsec@sbcglobal.net to RSVP for the quarterly meeting with the number of members from your local attending. This will allow the APFFA to order sufficient food for lunch.