Bringing reunions and locations together since 1991 magazineVOL 19 | SEPT/OCT 2017 IN THIS ISSUE THE LEGACY OF BOB HOPE LIVES ON JOE WAS BURIED IN THE RUBBLE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER THE LIFE CHANGING IMPACT OF MILITARY REUNIONS THE NEW MRN SPEAKERS BUREAU Military Reunion Network | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter FROM THE situationDESK The second annual MRN Educational Summit concluded in late June. It was a great success due in part to the amazing presenters. Joan Eisenstodt, Crystal Washington, Michelle Lenz and Bruce Yungman returned to share their expertise in the breakout sessions. Convention Visitor Representatives from Visit Erie and Visit Galveston shared best practices when working with CVB’s. Our guest speakers will be remembered for a long time to come for their inspirational contribution to the event. We were honored to have Retired NYC Firefighter Lt. Joe Torrillo take the general session stage to share how his day unfolded on September 11, 2001. There was also a serious announcement made at Every time he tells his story, he keeps a promise to the Summit this year. My conversations, inquires remember the 343 fire fighters that lost their lives and official interviews have led me to conclude that day. Joe’s engaging yet humble style focused that military reunions are critical to our veteran on rebuilding both life and country with a sense of community in a wide variety of ways. Our critical purpose and resolve. (see page 4) mission at The Military Reunion Network is to help Our second guest speaker was none other than “Mr. you stay connected. #militaryreunionsmatter (see Bob Hope” aka Bill Johnson. Bill has been a Bob page 19) Hope impersonator since 2002. A self-proclaimed This issue of the magazine is dedicated to our perfectionist, Bill’s mission is to share the history of wonderful partners that supported the 2017 Mr. Hope’s USO shows through many of the original Educational Summit. Thank you for helping to make jokes. He said, “There is an incredible responsibility it a success! that comes with impersonating Bob Hope. You have Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport to get it right!” What did the attendees think? “He nailed it!” (see page 10 ) Louisville Convention Visitor Bureau It occurred to me, back in April, that many of our Visit Erie MRN planners AND suppliers would be interested in Visit Galveston booking Lt. Torrillo or Mr. Johnson for an upcoming reunion or event. We were pleased to announce Hip Hop Historic Charleston West Virginia CVB the new MILITARY REUNION NETWORK SPEAKER BUREAU page on our website. The page is dedicated to connecting the MRN membership to presenters that can entertain and inspire. Planners can find Sharon local color guard connections as well. Sharon Danitschek, President 2 Military Reunion Network | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter contentsTABLE OF Thank you An inspiring story of a day to our advertisers in the life of Joe Torrillo .....................................4 PAGE SPONSOR 5 Seattle Southside RTB The Legacy of Bob Hope lives on .............10 6 Tucson CVB 7 Branson CVB Upcoming Reunions ..........................................16 8 Visit Erie 11 Colorado Springs CVB The power of staying connected ..............19 13 Seamist Resort 13 Snohomish CVB Upcoming Events ............................................... 20 14 Galveston CVB 19 Holiday Inn Bayside Event Registration Form ................................ 22 23 Visit Jacksonville CVB 24 Charleston, WVA CVB Member Reunion Locations ........................ 26 30 Louisville CVB Bringing reunions and locations together since 1991 Published by: Military Reunion Network, Inc. President: Sharon Danitschek - [email protected] - www.militaryreunionnetwork.com Subscriptions to Military Reunion Network Magazine are free of charge to qualified reunion planners. Copyright ©2017 by The Reunion Group, all rights reserved. Military Reunion Network Magazine is not responsible for opinions expressed in editorial material. The opinions are exclusively those of the authors and do not express the opinions of Military Reunion Network, its staff, its members, its advertisers, or its readership. All editorial material is for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The Reunion Friendly Network assumes no liability or responsibility for errors, mistakes, misprints, missing information, or content of advertising. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. 3 Military Reunion Network | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter An inspiring story of a day in the life of “Where were you on September 11th, 2001?” Fisher Price wanted to We all have our own stories about that day. It launch earlier, so Joe would be hard to find a more heart wrenching and suggested September inspirational one than that of Lt Joe Torrillo of the 11th as 911 is the New York City Fire Department. He was one of only emergency number a few that made it out of the rubble of the World to call. The press Trade Center. We were fortunate to have Mr. Torrillo conference was with us at the 2017 Educational Summit. Attendees set for 9am. commented he is a presenter they will never forget. Traveling across the “We need to go back to 1981 to get a sense of how Brooklyn Bridge on the the day unfolded,” said Joe in a thick Brooklyn morning of September accent. His firefighting career began that year at Ten 11, 2001, Joe saw the House, a station right across from the World Trade smoke plume from the North Tower. Realizing Center. For 15 years he served, until being promoted he had to make a choice, he abandoned the to Lieutenant. Prior to his transfer to a new station, press conference and traveled instead to Ten as was the custom when becoming a supervisor, House, his old fire station. “I was in my dress Joe suffered a serious injury resulting in a move to uniform because of the press conference so I a desk job. His new mission was to talk with school grabbed a hat, gloves, boots, pants, and jacket age children about fire prevention. Eight months of off duty fire fighter Tommy McNamara and later he was put in charge of the Office of Fire ran toward the North Tower.” Safety and Education for the city. “I studied engineering in school and had the For the better part two years, Joe was focused on opportunity to tour both towers as they were being the creation of a fire prevention center called the built. Some of my professors had connections Fire Zone. It would be a place of “Disney like” quality so we went through the buildings several times. where children could come and learn. They opened I thought everyone else knew what I knew. The in October of 2000. (In 2002, his determination towers were going to come down.” Armed with and commitment to education earned the this information Joe was insistent that the triage center a coveted THEA award which recognizes center medics were setting up in the tower lobby be achievement, talent and personal excellence within immediately moved several blocks away. Watching the themed entertainment industry.) the last loaded ambulance drive to safety, Joe heard In January of 2001, the toy maker Fisher Price the loud slam of the south tower collapsing floor reached out to Joe asking for his assistance in by floor like a stack of pancakes. The air pressure creating the fire fighter figure in the Rescue Heroes lifted his body slamming it into steel and concrete. Action Figure series. This new hero would join the Within minutes he lay in darkness with a fractured police officer, paramedic, air rescue specialist and skull, broken ribs, snapped left arm, and damaged construction worker. Their names were very clever. shoulder. He was covered in dust but alive. He knew “Billy Blazes” “Jake Justice”, “Perry Medic”, “Cliff there were others. He could hear their screams, Hanger”, and “Jack Hammer”, to name a few. The followed by cries and then an eerie silence. initial design was developed at their first meeting. By As he lay there, he reflected on his life. “I said to July of that same year, they had a prototype ready myself, Joe, this is the job that you wanted. You for mass production. Press conferences go hand always knew that one day something like this could in hand with new product launches. Billy Blazes happen but you never really thought it would. I was no different. Joe suggested October 2001 at thought about the oath I had taken twenty years the Fire Zone. October is Fire Prevention Month in ago. There were 124 of us kids. We raised our right New York City so it would be a perfect connection. hand and took the oath vowing to lay down our 4 Continued on page 6 Military Reunion Network | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter ADVERTISEMENT meet in seattle’s 4 TIPS to PLANNING a SUCCESSFUL REUNION backyard by Jené Iceberg 1 LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. Selecting a destination can have a major impact on attendance. When it comes to choosing a location, think of the three C’s: Convenience, Comfort and Captivation. Here are some questions to ask yourself before booking: Where’s the nearest international airport? Are there convenient transportation options for guests? Are the accommodations welcoming? Will guests have plenty of dining and entertainment options nearby? 2 HAVE FUN! Boost attendance and spirits by providing guests Make your next reunion one with a variety of fun and interesting attractions. to remember. A destination with activities such as beaches, museums, military bases, shopping and dining is sure to get Seattle Southside is a great place for reunion guests, and their spouses, excited about your reunion. Just south of downtown registering for the event. And who knows, they may even Seattle, it offers fantastic convenience extend their trip! and value.