City’s Citizen Fire Academy offers ‘incredible opportunity’
I recently had the privilege of participating in the Naperville Citizen Fire Academy, an eye-opening experience that highlighted the remarkable dedication and professionalism of our local firefighters.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Chief Mark Puknaitis and everyone at the Naperville Fire Department. Their commitment to organizing and executing the Citizen Fire Academy has provided citizens like myself with an incredible opportunity to learn about the department’s operations and witness firsthand the exceptional care they provide to our community.
Throughout the course, I was continually impressed by the extraordinary efforts undertaken by the fire department. From their recognition as a Heart Safe Community to their exceptional emergency response times and remarkable water rescue capabilities, it became evident to me that Naperville is a much safer place due to the innovative practices and unwavering dedication of our fire department.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the city of Naperville and the Naperville Police Department for their continued support of programs like the Citizen Fire Academy and the Citizen Police Academy. As a participant in both courses, I have gained a profound understanding of how Naperville prioritizes public safety and actively engages its citizens in the essential processes that make our city thrive.
It is my sincere hope that more people in Naperville participate in these courses and become aware of, and appreciate the outstanding work carried out by our first responders.
Mary Gibson, Naperville
Recalling a simpler time when I was a Naperville teen
With all of the high school graduations occurring this month, I can’t help but think of my own in 1965. At that time, the population of Naperville was less than 20,000 and the only public high school in our hamlet still had teams named the Redskins.
In case you’re interested, the most popular movies that year were “The Sound of Music” and “Doctor Zhivago.” The biggest song on the radio was “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones and the bestselling book for most of the year was “The Source” by James A. Michener.
For historical context, John F. Kennedy had been assassinated less than two years earlier and The Beatles became the world’s biggest band a year later. But even more significantly, a war was brewing in a country once known as French Indochina.
However, the only thing on every graduating senior’s mind in spring ’65 was getting through our finals and participating in the outdoor graduation ceremony held on the football field.
In between, of course, was “Senior Ditch Day,” featuring a raucous parade of honking vehicles that headed straight out of town and towards the Indiana Dunes.
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For many of us, it would be the last we saw of our fellow classmates and by the end of summer, most of my pals were participating in orientation programs on various college campuses.
Little did I know at the time, but that unheralded scrimmage on the other side of the world was quickly escalating into a major conflict and I would soon be called back home at the invitation of Uncle Sam to register for the draft.
Ironically, the only class reunion I’d ever be a part of was when I met up with several old classmates boarding a train for Chicago and an army induction center. To be sure, it was an experience I won’t ever forget. Luckily, my lottery number enabled me to avoid the conflict.
I can’t honestly say the rest of my life story is all that memorable; like everyone else’s, it’s mostly made up of forgettable moments. But when I look back at my high school days, I can’t help wishing to be back in the 1960s again.
Bob Ory, Elgin
Here’s some simple advice to fix the woes in Congress
Three suggestions for Congress:
1. Stay in Washington until you get the job done.
2. Show some intestinal fortitude and do what you know is right regardless of party lines. You all know assault weapons should be banned. The Second Amendment was drafted when men were using muskets.
3. Kill the limit on Social Security. I have listened to all of you about taxing the wealthy. Set a percentage and do not allow any deductions. Then the wealthy will pay and Social Security will stay healthy for a long time.
It all seems so simple when you think back to your oath of office.
Charles Brown, Naperville
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