The sun was shining Monday morning. The sky was blue, the temperature was in the upper 80's in the Chicago-area and Rick Kolomay, of the Schaumburg Fire Department, was promoted to Captain! What a wonderful day!

 

I met Rick Kolomay in 2001 through my Let Freedom Sing project. Rick and a few of his Chicago, Schaumburg and Aurora, Illinois firefighters literally dropped what they were doing on the morning of September 11th, 2001, loaded up gear they thought their New York brothers would need and headed across the country in a convoy driven by compassion. Rick's childhood friend, Chicago Fire Department Assistant Commissioner; Chief Bob Hoff, Schaumburg Fire Photographer and Fire Dog Specialist Roy Hervas and Schaumburg Firefighter Jack Sniderwin were all part of the team that went to New York in 2001. This past Monday morning they were part of the gallery that jam packed a room at Schaumburg Fire Station #1, to witness their friend's promotion.

Rick and Bob teach at the Chicago Fire Academy and have literally written the most comprehensive book on firefighter safety titled; Firefighter Rescue and Survival (www.pennwellbooks.com.) Rick said that many of their safety technique's came from their experience at Ground Zero.

One of the fire commissioners commented on Rick's 25+years of service. She said that he has always been first to volunteer and has always been the "go-to-guy" when ever the Schaumburg Fire Department needs help or research done on a project or when buying new fire gear.

 

One on the many things I love about Rick is his dedication to the family and fire service. Rick's father Sully Kolomay, a retired Chicago Firefighter, was there with Rick's mom. Ironically, both Rick and Bob Hoff's fathers taught together at the Chicago Fire Academy before Bob's father was lost in the line of duty when Bob was a child. (Bob Hoff is the inspiration behind the film character, Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey CFD, played by Curt Russell, in the film Backdraft.) 

The most important witnesses to this joyous occasion was Rick's wife, two daughters and their son (Rick's son is in the fire service.) For the months that followed Rick's journey to New York on September 11th his family supported him as he suffered through post-traumatic-stress from the horrors of what he found at Ground Zero in those first 8 days after the attack. Rick and I have talked about September 11th many times and I can't imagine what Rick, Fire Department of New York and all firefighters who went to New York, suffered through. I know from the many firefighters I have talked with who were in New York and Washington DC at that time in history, that they still have nightmares.

 

I have the honor of sharing breakfast with Rick about once a month, and every time I see him I am amazed at how kind and caring he is. His concern for his fellow-man and the safety of others can been seen in his eyes. Rick Kolomay is the model American-patriot. Love for God, family, country and the fire service can be seen on his smiling face. A conversation with Rick will make you feel better about the American dream because you'll know that being courteous, hard work and persistence , ... (the three main ingredients of the "Rick Kolomay Story,") actually does payoff.

 

To Rick: Congratulation, from the bottom of my heart. Your promotion couldn't happen to a more well deserving and nicer guy. May God continue to bless you and your family. Enjoy the next part of your amazing journey brother.

 

Yes, it was a beautiful day in Schaumburg, Illinois; Monday, May 14, 2007, ... not because the sun was shining and the weather was perfect. It was beautiful because Rick Kolomay is now a captain in the Schaumburg Fire Department, and that's great news for everyone who lives in Schaumburg.