Ben is Pinned, Sworn in and ready to go

Today, January 10th, 2012 Ben was Pinned and sworn in as a Fire Fighter for Ventura City Fire. It was an exciting day ok stressful. Ben was a bundle of crabby ass nerves in anticipation of his pinning, but again we survived. We went to City Hall at 3:00 pm upon entering this building you can't help but be in awe. All the floors and Wainscoting are marble the architecture of this building is amazing. The wood work is what looks like dark mahogany from floor to ceiling, there is gorgeous stain glass in the recessed ceilings. I am not doing this building justice, it is close to 100 years old and is full of beauty and of course character. Once I was able to take my attention off this building and focus on the ceremony that was getting ready to take place I was impressed with the number of people who attended and the obvious friendships that existed. The Fire Chief was as friendly and down to earth as everyone else. The Battalion Chief who got Ben through the academy has to have been one of the friendliest and sincere people I have had the pleasure of meeting. This ceremony was full of camaraderie no pomp and circumstance. When it was over people went out of their way to make you feel welcome. We met a lot of truly nice people that we look forward to getting to know and to hopefully build some lasting relationships. Ben is chomping at the bit to start riding his motor bike with these guys and I am looking forward to working with the women's auxiliary and getting to know Captain Smiths wife, she is a neat lady. I love our new city.