'It Keeps Him Alive For

Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run JUNE 17-23, 2015 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Page 11 Questioning Family Life Curriculum Topics of gender identity and sexual orientation added. By Tim Peterson Centre View he Fairfax County School TBoard’s May 7 meeting drew a passionate and boisterous crowd that filled the Luther Jackson Middle School au- Photos Contributed Photos ditorium and spilled out into the main lobby. That night the board voted in favor of adding “gender identity” to its nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and applicants for employment. On June 25, the board may face a similar scene. It’s scheduled to Members of last year’s Team Jim Breslin and their families. vote on proposed updates from the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee, including Citizen Steven Mosley adding the topics of gender iden- ‘It Keeps Him Alive for Us’ speaks at the June 11 tity and sexual orientation, begin- school board meeting in ning in seventh grade Family Life hospitals. It’s not a race, so cyclists of all abilities opposition to proposed Family, friends raise Education, classes out of which may participate. changes in the Family Life parents may opt their students. To donate or register, go to Education and health cancer-research funds Other advertised changes in- www.ridetovictory.org or call 855.822.RIDE. Or curriculums. contribute directly to Team Jim Breslin at http:// clude moving a portion of the cur- in Jimmy Breslin’s name. www.ridetovictory.org/site/TR/Events/ riculum from Family Life Educa- tion to students’ health courses. ences (disabilities, ethnicities, cul- By Bonnie Hobbs 2015WashingtonDC?team_id=5822&pg=team&fr_id=1091. This would be done to comply the tures) The Connection Jimmy Breslin and his wife Janet had three children and three grandchildren. “He was a real, Virginia Board of Education’s re- ❖ Mental health areas such as family man,” said Tim Breslin. “His family was cently revised health standards of depression and suicide Fairfax County firefighter for 28 years, his number-one priority, so it was incredibly tough learning for kindergarten through The recommendations came up Jimmy Breslin died of cancer last year when he died.” tenth grade. as new business at the school at age 55, but he’s never far from the A Yet Jimmy Breslin definitely left his mark on According to Fairfax County board’s May 21 meeting. At the thoughts of his friends and family. And the world. After retiring as a firefighter, he be- Public Schools, the topics that June 11 meeting, eight out of the in tribute to him, they raise money for and par- came a special-needs bus driver and route man- would no longer be part of Family 10 citizen speakers and one addi- ticipate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. ager for Prince William County Public Schools. Life Education (and therefore no- tional speaker on a prepared video This bicycling event doesn’t happen “He asked for special-needs children; longer opt-out) are: addressed the recommendations. until September, but the eight mem- that was his second calling in life,” ❖ Personal development (emo- Each of those speakers opposed bers of Team Jim Breslin — captained said Breslin. “He loved them like his tions/feelings, self-image, self- the proposed changes. by his brother Tim — are already own kids and, in his house, he’d show concept, personal characteristics, “How one identifies should not training and raising funds. you stuff they’d made for him.” skills to work and play successfully take the place of science and “It means a lot because I’m doing But in 2012, Jimmy Breslin was in a community) truth,” said citizen Steven Mosley, something in honor and memory of diagnosed with esophageal cancer ❖ Healthy relationships (in- who introduced himself as a my brother,” said Tim Breslin. “And and battled it as best he could. “Then cludes conflict resolution skills) the money raised truly benefits in January 2014, one of our sisters, ❖ Respecting individual differ- See Citizens, Page 2 people in their treatments and in the Maureen Romano, heard about the 6-18-2015 prevention of cancer.” Ride and told us about it,” said Tim home in Both brothers have ties to the local Requested The late Jimmy Breslin. It’s 150 miles — 75 miles/ material. area. They were born and raised in sensitive Time day over two days — in Maryland Fairfax and graduated from Woodson Breslin Postmaster: and Washington, D.C., and each rider Attention High. And Jimmy Breslin served at has to raise a minimum of $2,500. both Centreville Fire Stations 17 and 38. #322 PERMIT “I’d never done anything like that before,” said MD Easton, The Ride is Sept.19-20; proceeds go to the Johns Breslin. “But she and I wanted to do it to support PAID Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, plus Sibley Me- Postage U.S. morial, Suburban and Howard County General See Raising, Page 2 STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View ❖ June 17-23, 2015 ❖ 1 News Photos Contributed Photos Jimmy Breslin with his nephew, Tim Breslin Jr., then 3. Tim Breslin (in front) out for a bike ride. Raising Cancer-Research Funds in Jimmy Breslin’s Name From Page 1 firefighter/paramedic Kristin Gaulard and cause there aren’t any hills where he lives. is also inspirational.” our brother because he was in the fight of her husband Jeff; and Mike Ashley, son of It was also difficult for him to ask people Describing his brother as kind, generous, his life.” Two months later, on March 27, retired county firefighter Dave Ashley, who for money, but he knew the funds would loving and witty, Tim Breslin said he always 2014, Jimmy Breslin lost his battle. “We worked with Jimmy. benefit people like his late brother. had something funny to say. “People enjoyed were just running individually,” said Tim “Last year, I raised $12,489; so this year, The best part was arriving at the finish working with him and knew they could Breslin. “But when Jimmy died, other I want to raise $1 more,” said Tim Breslin. line of last year’s event. “We all stopped count on him,” said Tim Breslin. “Jimmy friends and family members asked if they “So far, I’m at $2,495, so I’ve got some work about a minute away and called Jimmy’s made others feel special; he asked about could join, and soon we became a team. And to do.” Basically, he solicits donations from wife to tell her we were about there,” said them and showed an interest in them, so altogether, we raised $38,153.” family, friends and associates. And on his Tim Breslin. “As we approached and were they were drawn to him. In his jobs with Now they’re preparing for the second Facebook page, he posts photos of his week- announced, there were so many friends and the Fire Department and school system, he annual Ride to Conquer Cancer. Besides Tim end bike rides to remind people of the up- family members cheering us on — and all liked serving others and valued the bonds Breslin, a 28-year police officer in Chesa- coming event and let the contributors see of them were wearing their ‘Team Jim he formed with his friends and co-workers.” peake, Va., the other members of Team Jim how he’s getting ready. Breslin’ T-shirts.” “It was overwhelming to So, said Tim Breslin, it meant a great deal Breslin are: Brent Schnupp, a firefighter/ “I try to ride three or four times a week see them there, knowing they’d been wait- to his brother that people were donating paramedic with Station 38; Patrick Breslin, and work out in the gym on the treadmill ing for us for hours,” he continued. “And it money to cancer research because of him. one of Jimmy’s sons; Michelle Breslin, mar- and elliptical,” he said. “And I’ve come to felt good to be part of something so big and And that’s why doing the Ride in his name ried to Jimmy’s son Joey, also a Fairfax enjoy the mental and physical aspects of important that’s really going to help people. is “really special,” said Tim Breslin. “It keeps County firefighter; Jason Smith, married to riding and exercising.” For Tim Breslin, the Some cancer survivors ride, too, with big him alive for us, and he continues to help Jimmy’s daughter Jennifer; Fairfax County toughest parts of the Ride are the hills, be- orange flags on their bikes, and seeing them people, even though he’s no longer with us.” Citizens Speak on Upcoming Family Life Education Vote From Page 1 education coordinator for the school “black, ordained, evangelical reverend” who system. Email comments can be sent “Keep fighting the good works in higher education. “Here’s the truth to [email protected]. fight.” we need to hang on to: Man cannot deter- Citizens may also request to speak mine his gender just like I can’t determine at the upcoming meeting by either — Harris LaTeef, my race. Both these things are gifts from registering online at www.fcps.edu/ Student Representative, School Board God and affirmed by science.” schlbd/meetings/requestspeak.shtml Citizen Mary Beth Style said, “Fairfax or calling the School Board office at nificant value to our work and reminded County Public Schools have no expertise to 571-423-1075 during normal business us why we’re doing this.” teach lessons on the development of hours, beginning three days prior to In his remarks, LaTeef thanked the board transgender identity. the meeting. Ten spots are available for teaching him about “politics, education, “This religious belief that the soul is sepa- and are filled on a first-come basis.

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