SORRY

[Firefighter2000]

Thank everyone who has replyed to the post FIREFIGHTER's NOT HELPING. But I am sorry to tell you that my daughters dream of being a firefighter died along with her this weekend.

To everyone who did and didn't reply I am writeing to tell you that you are appreciated. And you will all be hero's in this little girls eyes. She had more respect for you then you will ever know. So thank you for inspiring her she would have been proud to know that you will always be here. and from me : thank you this girl had the best time when it came to firefighting and I hold everyone of you resposible for inspiring her and you did a GREAT job. So thank you

[S. Cook]

Sorry to hear of your loss. If this tragedy was the result of the accident where two girls were killed between Denton and Gainesville, the folks at my parents church in my hometown (Denison) are praying for you, your family and the others also involved. Regardless, I shall remember you in my prayers.

Scott

[FFTrainer]

If you're still checking in, I would like to pass along my deepest sympathies to you.

I realize that to her family a daughter is always wonderful, but from reading her posts, it appears that your daughter took wonderful to a whole nother level!!!

My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of tragic loss.

[daysleeper47]

I am so sorry for your loss. I went back and read some of your daughters posts and it seemed that she was full of such energy and a great drive to be a firefighter. The world needs a few more people like her. My prayers are with your family.
God Bless and Stay Safe.

------------------
Joe
Daysleeper47
"When the bell goes ding-ding, its time to get on the woo-woo."

[dfwscotty]

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.

My prayers are with you...

[FF McDonald]

Along with the others that have posted their thoughts here, I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family. I am truly sorry for your loss.


Respectfully-

Marc McDonald

[RDWFIRE]

BIG TEARS http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/frown.gif I am so sorry for your loss. I am at a loss for words. Please accept my deepest sympathies. Your daughter will live on in each one of us.
May God bless you.

Rick

[This message has been edited by RDWFIRE (edited October 09, 2000).]

[TruroFAO]

Please also accept the deepest sympathies on behalf of myself and many others in the fire service. Your daughter seemed very full of energy and life. I don't know of the cirumstances surrounding the tragedy, but again, please accept my deepest condolences.

-In Prayer

[smokeeater51]

The moment I read the first few lines, my heart went into my throat, and it was very hard to choke back down. I have read many of your daughters posts, and even replied. Such a terrible loss for you, your family, and the fire service. I only wish everyone was as dedicated as your little girl. You have my deepest sympathy. http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/frown.gif

Lt. Spinney
Rollinsford Fire & Rescue

[Les.H]

I received this news with a tear in my eye because I felt as if I new her. My condolences to all her family and close friends. Even over the 'Water' the pain can be felt. She will be sadly missed by all that had the pleasure to know her.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this tragic time.

Respectfully

Sprinkle (UK)

[Baberems]

... And all who know this life
Know it too briefly.
And all who leave this life
Leave it too soon...

Words cannot adequately express the sadness in my heart upon hearing of Ashley's death.
Her enthusiasm and dedication to her dream spoke volumes to her character and vision.

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

My thoughts are with you as are my prayers.

Pam Baber

[chf jstano]

My sincerest condolances to you and your family.You will be in our thoughts and prayers. John Stano, Chief, Dexter F.D.

[nsfirechap]

My heart truly goes out to you and your family. I am saddened by your loss. Was touched by your daughters enthusiasm in her post. Your daughter is, and always will be special to us. If we can help you in any way, please let us know.

Blessed are they which do mourn, for they shall be comforted.


Chaplain Jeff Turkel
North Star VFD
North Pole, Alaska

[This message has been edited by nsfirechap (edited October 09, 2000).]

[emsbrando]

My deepest sympathy and my condolences to you and your family. Ed Brando, Carthage Firefighter: Regional Director, ETMC/EMS

[N2DFire]

On Behalf of Ferrum Volunteer Fire Dept. & Ferrum Volunteer Rescue Squad we offer our condolences. Know that you and your family will be in our prayers.

I saw your daughters post just this past Thursday or Friday and I made a note to myself that I would reply to her today. It pains me deeply to know that I missed the opportunity to begin to know what appeared to be a very bright & determined young lady.

I pray that God's peace will be with you and your family as well as with your new family here. Even though she had not met her dream of becoming a firefighter yet - the fire service lost a great candidate and her presence will be missed.


Respectfully,
Stephen

[FireLady70]

I am so sorry for your loss. We will never know what the fire service has lost. Ashley seemed like a special girl. The fire service will miss her. But, at least we have added to our Guardians above. She will be with us always.

Leslie

[byram chief]

so sorry to hear of your loss. i to lost a daughter 2 years ago. while the pain never goes away time does heal the loss be it ever so little. have faith in god and be strong, he will see you thru this time. hang in there.

art

------------------

[Fyrball105]

words are not found for me to say.

[1627]

I am sorry to hear of your loss I send my deepest sympathies from myself and my department. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

-Leon Bass

[firefighterbeast]

The loss of a child is a feeling I know to, My prayers and thoughts as well as those from my family and fellow firefighters. She will be truely missed.

My The Lord Our God Keep You In His Love.

[SRVFD2]

I back up firelady - feeling we have another
guardian watching over us who happens to be named Ashley. Our prayers will be with your family.

[mark440]

God bless! The thoughts and prayers are with you from Utah.

Mark

[FyredUp]

My deepest condolences to you in your loss.

Know that we in the fire service know we have lost a chance at another shining star.

My prayers are with you.

FyredUp

[canman]

I'm sorry at the passing of your daughter and I'm sure she's looking down on all of us just smiling away knowing that we all cared.

[The Heart Behind the Hero]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I also read Ashley's posts. She demonstrated the kind of determination and maturity that is so rare in our young people today.

Words can not express how much she will be missed in this world.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,

Karen Yoder

[iwood51]

Thoughts, prayers,tears, and a moment of silence too come from Ridge, Long Island, NY. It's tough enough to lose one of our own, and Ashley was part of this family, when they are at a later stage in life. To lose one, so young, words cannot express the sorrow we feel.
If you need anything, anything at all, reach out to us through these forums, you will see that we're worldwide.

[iwood51]

One more thing. Ashley's Dad has now lost two children. I hope everyone goes home and hugs theirs just a little bit tighter tonight. I know I will. This is bringing tears to my eyes as I write it.

I will re-iterate that if there's anything we can do, just ask.

[P.P.]

My prayers are with your family.

God Bless

P.P.

[Big T]

Please accept my sincerest condolences.. I could not imagine the lost of my child let alone two of them.. My heart goes out to your whole faimly.. I hope you have been watching the forum the last couple of days as I have.. You will realize that you are not alone in your grief.. Read all the posts and you will see how much of an impact your daughter has had on people.. Its grows by leaps and bounds ever day... God be with you and your family

http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/frown.gif

Gone but NEVER forgotten !!!!!!!!!!!

[cglidden403]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. It is people like you daughter who make this job worth it. Unless you have an objection I am going to put the letter A on my fire helmet in honor of your daughter. I started firefighting at the age of 13 and I remember the hard ships. Special thanks to you, and sorry for your loss!

------------------
Chris Glidden
Training Officer

[CollegeBuff]

May the road rise to meet you,
Maythe wind be always at your back.
And may God hold you always
in the palm of His hand.

(think I got that right...)

We mourn with you for your loss. I'm one of the few lucky people in my age group (18-24) who have made it this far without losing a friend or classmate to a tragedy like this. Ashley left her mark on all of us, and we are that much better for it.

Brendan McStay
Cranston, RI

[cherryvale1]

To the father of FIREFIGHTER 2000 I want to say I have read the posts of Ashley and would be PROUD to have a daughter as kind and thoughtful as yours was.

All firefighters in the world look for the good things around them since we see so many bad things, your daughter was one of the GOOD. The thoughts and prayers of the Fire Service and our family's go out to you and your family. If there is ever anything you need, please remember we are here for you just like we were for Ashley.

May God go with you

Dave & Jayne

[KcAreaFF]

It saddens me to hear the news of Ashley's passing, and upsets me even more when I hear the cause. Ashley, although you may have never looked into the heart of a burning building, you truly saw into the heart of firefighting. You may have never worked to save a life, but you touched many lives through your actions. Your dedication and love for this wonderful occupation is what we, veterans and rookies alike, need to maintain. Whether you realized it or not, you were welcomed into a new family, one that has deep concern and compassion for each other. You said Firefighters are America's Heroes. Well, Ashley, because of your will and determination, you are a Firefighter's Hero.

[FireRebel]

my condolences and heart- felt sorrow goes out to you and your family, God bless!

[benford1]

The thoughts and prayers of my department go out to you in the loss of you r daughter. I have seen the emotion she had for the fire service and truly believe that inside, she was a firefighter. Our prayers will be with you and your family through this difficult time.

[HOOK&LADDER]

Sorry to hear that. My most heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.

From Explorer Post # 1075

[Firefighter2000]

My whife brought me to the computer today to show me just how many people have responded and it brought tears to my eyes thank you so much.

What happened: Ashley went off to a firefighters meeting in the next town over and to see the guys there. It was about 9 o'clock and we thought that maybe she had gotten held up at the station. We knew she was safe cause she was with the guys and we trusted them. Then my whife saw a police car pull up. At first we thought something had happened at work( my whife is a cop ). Because we knew if something happend to Ashley the chief would have come. About the time I voiced that to my whife the Fire Chief's car pulled up. They informed us that Ashley had died in a car accident when she was hit by a drunk driver.

Many have asked what ou can do to help so here is what we ask: Go home and hug your fam. tell them that you love them and don't let go. Call your parents tell them that you are ok we never stop worrying. For I know I will never have the chance to hug Ashley or see her graduate from the fire acd.

Her goals were to become a firefighter and go on to Chief. She either wanted to work Dallas,Texas F.D, DFW airport fire station or work in New York F.D.

Remember those you love for I will always remember Ashley every time I see a fire truck or fire news on the tv for I know she should be there.

Alan Mitchell
Ashley's dad

[This message has been edited by Firefighter2000 (edited October 11, 2000).]

[iwood51]

Alan, I said it above and I meant it. I went home and hugged my kids eatra tight. I explained to my wife what happened not even 10 minutes ago. She too is deeply saddened by your loss. We deal with tragedy every day. It's not until it hits home that it hurts so much. I myself am recuperating from a near fatal MVA. I broke my neck in three places and my back in one. One step different and my wife would be a widow and my kids would be fatherless. That was a very strange, life-altering experience for me. I cannot claim to feel the same pain that you must be feeling. I just want you to know that there are many members of the firefighting family out there that truly, deeply grieve with you. I am an Ex-Captain and a current president in my department. There will be a moment of silence in Ashley's honor at our next meeting. I wish there was more I could say, or more that I could do.

Stay safe Alan. We do really care.

[Lieutenant25]

From all the members of the Phoebus Volunteer Fire Company: We grieve with thee.

The Firehouse in Heaven

There's a firehouse in Heaven,
So I've heard them say.

Where everyone's on duty,
Each and every day.

When the alarm goes out,
They're the first to know.

Always first to get there,
Always do they show.

With each and every firefighter,
Quickly do they pair.

A Brother or Sister close beside you,
An Angel always there.

And in the smoke and heat,
You feel their presence near.

A feeling of confidence,
That helps calm your fear.

Occasionally they find someone
Whose heart is like their own.

And when the fire's done,
They carry them back Home.

Career or volunteer...
It matters not to them.

It's what you have inside,
That's what gets you in.

There's a firehouse in Heaven,
So I've heard it said.

Where all of God's firefighters,
Always have a bed.
(Author Unknown)

Ashley is not alone. She is in good company.


[This message has been edited by Lieutenant25 (edited October 12, 2000).]

[FFTrainer]

Alan --

Thank you for taking the time to explain the situation. I appreciate the pain it must bring back to recount the story!!

At the present time, I am yet to have kids, but I took the long way home from work and stopped in to visit my parents last night. My dad had already read all of this and I think he knew why I was there as soon as he saw my truck pull up.

Again, my deepest sympathies to you and all those affected by the loss of your wonderful daughter Ashley.

May God bless you at this time of need!

[FireBabe]

Even though I live so far away Ashley's death has touched me deeply. Her enthusiasm, her joy of life and her passion for a career serving the community are an inspiration and will be surely missed.

I am wearing the ribbons of rememberance in her honour.

http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/red_blue.gif



------------------
Lt JJ Edmondson
Clyde Cardinia Fire Brigade
Victoria, AUSTRALIA

I walk where the fire dances

International Firefighters' Day:
http://www.futureweb.com.au/edmondson

[Boothby]

Mr & Mrs Mitchell,
I have been sitting here for the last 20 min trying to find words, any words. I want very badly to say something that might help you feel better, but I have seen this sort thing enough times to know that there are no words. Your daughter will be missed, and she will be remembered. We always remember our own. I will pray for you and for Ashley. God Bless.




------------------
Larry Boothby
Firefighter/Paramedic
Snorkel-13 A-shift
Local 1784
Memphis.

[Boothby]

Mr & Mrs Mitchell and Fellow Jakes
I have taken the liberty to make the following post on both the "Firehouse.com site comments" forum and "The Magazine" forum. Mr & Mrs Mitchell if I have overstepped myself please forgive me.

"This week we recieved notification on the firefighters forum that one of our forum members, Miss Ashley Mitchell (firefighter2000), was killed this past week by a drunk driver. Ashley was 14 years old and had stated that she intended to persue a carreer in the fire service. According to her parents she was killed either going to or comming from a fire department meeting.

I propose that Firehouse magazine and Firehouse.com use your considerable power and influence to establish a "firefighter2000" memorial fund in Ashleys name. This fund could be used to help fire and EMS explorer groups or to provide scholarship money to young men and women enrolling in fire science programs. Think of this as seed money to help build the fire service of the future. I believe this would be a fitting tribute to a young woman who's main desire was to become part of our profession."

Brothers and Sisters if you think this is a good idea, lend your support on one of the two sites I listed.

To the Mitchells: If I have overstepped please let me know at lboothby@midsouth.rr.com and I will retract immediately.

------------------
Larry Boothby
Firefighter/Paramedic
Snorkel-13 A-shift
Local 1784
Memphis.

[WOODMAN]

I know what it is like sir and how tough it is my wife and little son where killed by a driver who fell asleep about 14 months ago,so
I share your pain.Please feel free to email me if there is any thing I can do for you.

[duerr2]

I am new to the forum, so I have not read your daughter's information, but I would like you to know that as a mother and a "little girl with a dream", I feel a deep sense of sorrow for you and your family.In reading the responses, I feel your daughter has had a huge impact on a lot of people and I hope that you know there are people all over thinking of you and wishing there were something they could do to ease your pain...

If you need anything...

------------------
Jenn Duerr

[fireseeker]

Thank you for allowing us to share our lives with your daughter. We will all miss her deeply, and because of her, we cherish life a little more. Thank you again for bringing such a gifted child for all of us to embrace. Although her time with us was short, her impact will never be forgotten.

M. Ryan


------------------
fireseeker

[AVF&R452]

Mr.& Mrs. Mitchell:

I wish to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences at the loss of your daughter. Ashley's enthusiasm and determination gave many of us a chance to remember and reflect on the REAL reasons that we do what we do. She was truly special.

I also wish to apologize for the uncaring individual who posted on another thread. Thankfully, It appears that thread has been removed. I hope that you will not judge us all by the ignorance of a very small minority.

Again, My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jim

[Pelican631]

My sincerest condolences and prayers are with you. As a firefighter who joined as a junior member at age 15, I know how enthusiastic Ashley must have been. Again, my prayers are with you and your family.

Andy Knitt

[spunk639]

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell
I have sat here for quite some time trying to find a way to express to you my sorrow, and heart ache over the loss of your daughter Ashley. I sit here typing this with tear filled eyes. I am not a firefighter, I am a Paramedic and have been in EMS for 15 years. I have in that time seen far too many young and bright lives cut short and can not find a reason as to why. I spent the better part of this evening reading your daughters posts over again , I only wish that I could have met her. Sometimes in this strange and chaotic world we live and work in we become very cyannical. Things that should strike a deep cord in us does not. I want you to know that in your daughters short time here with us she affected people's lives she never met in a very positive way. How do I know this you may ask .......because I am one of those people she affected. Doing this work as I said you can become very cyannical and believe from repeated exposures to our troubled youth who are involved in gangs drugs and other anti social activities that our youth are lost and our futures as a whole looks bleak. Reading your daughters thoughts and questions changed that view for me. To see a child who showed so much enthusiasim and interest in helping and serving her community broke through the walls put up by this innercity medic and gave me hope that all our kids were not lost and good positive kids do exist, for that sir I can't thankyou enough for the way you raised your child. Writing this I do not know if I've caused you more grief......... why would God no matter how he is worshipped, would decide to take such a bright light from us. For whatever reason God wanted Ashley we may never know......but I know she is surely one of his Angels and the next time I enter a darkened tennament in the middle of the night, she will be there with me watching over myself, my partner, and the patient we were called to care for.
Ashley will always be with you and in many of our hearts and prayers.
In closing my deepest heartfelt sympathy for your loss.

Love and God Bless You.

SPUNK

[This message has been edited by spunk639 (edited October 13, 2000).]

[TeeJay]

Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell-
My condolences on the loss of Ashley. It's tragic that some one so young and full of life can be lost in circumstances as senseless as these. She touched a lot of lives here, and many tears are being shed for her. She will always be one of us. I'll take your advice and hug my own son and daughter with a little extra enthusiasm tonight. You and Ashley are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Jarvis

[webteam]

Dear Forum Posters

For the last day we have worked to verify the information in the posts by Ashley and her 'parents' that has consumed several threads.

Unfortunately, as happens on the Internet, the story has been found to be untrue...at least the tragic details.

After considerable research, we talked to Ashley's mother this evening who wanted to apologize to everyone on the forums for the energy that has been spent.

The young lady is indeed interested in the fire service and is an ace student, according to her mom, who wants to write books and be in the fire department.

However, she has not lost a brother to fire nor, thankfully, was she killed in a drunk driving accident last weekend. She is alive and well, which we hope everyone will be grateful for. Except for those details -- important as they may be -- the vast majority of her posts we believe were honest and sincere.

We are sorry this has happened, but as you know the Internet is somewhat of an anonymous
place. We are very thankful that this was not some elaborate hoax, but merely an very
enthusiastic young lady who may have been trying to find a way to quit posting on the forums with a very unfortunately worded story. Her parents had requested she not post after something similiar happened in the past, according to her mother.

Her mother assures us she has the best intentions and by her writing will certainly excel in that endeavor in the future. We expect a letter from Ashley sometime in the next few days to all posters.

Thanks for everyone's continued support. Despite this being false, had it been true you showed the incredible family that exists in the Firehouse.com Forums and what is possible for everyone to come together for a single cause ... we just hope you won't be deterred from responding and helping others in the future.

We'll assure you, just as we have done in this case, to check out any extraordinary requests or posts as quickly as possible.

Thanks
Firehouse.Com WebTeam