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The Air Up There: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Clause
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John Demeter
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In the spirit of the season, we bring you, without commercial interruption, a letter written by eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon to the New York Sun and the response to that letter printed in an editorial on September 21, 1897. The work of newsmen Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial. We hope you find in it, as we did, a bit of comfort and inspiration.
"Dear Editor:
I am eight years old.
Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, "if you see it in The Sun it's so.
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon, 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street"
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
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APi Group Welcomes 3S Incorporated to the APi Family of Companies |
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Matt Euson and his family
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December 17, 2012 - APi Group is pleased to welcome 3S Incorporated to the APi family of companies. The transaction closed December 7. 3S operates in all markets across North America and specializes in providing fire protection systems for automotive manufacturing, steel mills, power plants and heavy industrial applications. 3S offers turnkey solutions for any project ranging from the protection of server equipment to the largest industrial manufacturing processes. "We are incredibly excited to join APi, the most respected company in our industry," said 3S President, Matt Euson. "We look forward to contributing in any way we can to the success of APi and are eager to partner with the [sister companies] on new prospects." Click here to read the full article.
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Lenmark Receives FSSA Leadership Award |
 From Annunciator - A monthly news update from the FSSA November 2012 On November 17, 2012, during a retirement party, Voigt "V2" Lenmark Jr was presented with the FSSA Leadership Award. The award is generally presented at the Fire Suppression Systems Association's Annual Meeting, but since Voigt and Mary Jean will be vacationing in Maui during the meeting, the FSSA Board of Directors voted unanimously to present this special award during his retirement party. V2 is the fourth recipient in the fire suppression industry to receive this award. The FSSA Leadership Award recognizes those individuals who have displayed leadership and dedication to the industry.
Voigt was a founder of FSSA and served in several positions including president in 1992. His steadfastness and business acumen helped not only his company but FSSA as well, especially during the formative years of the association. Voigt led by example and blazed a trail for FSSA when times were difficult. He proved that the association was indeed a valuable entity, and today FSSA is stronger and more vital than ever.
After 43 years in the fire protection business, FSSA congratulates V2 and wishes both him and Mary Jean a happy retirement! V2 will officially retire at the end of this year, December 2012.
Well wishes can be emailed to V2 at lenmark2@volco.net or to Mary Jean at mlenmark@gmail.com, or by mail to:
Voigt and Mary Jean Lenmark
Volco Company
7505 Highway 7
Minneapolis, MN 55426 |
Kidd Named FSSA Honorary Member
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 From Annunciator - A monthly news update from the FSSA
November 2012
Jim Kidd, one of FSSA's founding members, joined the prestigious list of Honorary members. The FSSA board of directors approved Kidd as a honorary membership at its recent meeting. Jim Kidd, now retired, had served in several capacities including the FSSA Board of Directors and the original Technical Committee. Other FSSA honorary members include: George Krabbe, Carl Jewell, Charles B. Ford, Marv Charney, Daniel Moore, George Grabowski, Harry Newell, Lee Applegate, Charles Willms, Bob Yellin, and Jim Suarez. FSSA grants honorary membership to an individual whose contribution to the fire suppression and protection industry including having served in an official capacity with FSSA as a board member, committee chairperson. The person must have been an active member in FSSA committees and conferences for at least ten years. In addition, the individual must display a reputation that upholds the principals on which FSSA was founded and continues to operate. This reputation is to include issues such as honesty, passion for the industry and a promoter of the FSSA. An honorary member should also display a desire to continue to actively participate in promoting FSSA and its causes, as well as an intention to be active at the FSSA conferences. |
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Fire Protection Fluid Earned Approval From the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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Sea-Fire Marine
November 6, 2012
Sea-Fire Marine, a world leader in marine fire suppression technology, announced that the 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid used in its extinguishing systems has earned approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The product complies with strict global standards and meets International Maritime Organization (IMO) specifications.
Headquartered in the UK, the MCA sets standards for safe working practices in the maritime environment. This includes promoting fire safety through the use of environmentally responsible suppression systems.
Novec 1230 represents an innovation in fire extinguishing agents. Unlike halon or CO2, it does not contribute to ozone depletion and has a global warming potential of just one. The fluid works by removing heat energy at the molecular level to the point where flame cannot be sustained. Novec 1230 is appropriate for combustible material, electrical and flammable liquid fires, and is safe for use around computers and other delicate electronics as well as in staff-occupied areas.
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A Pictorial Review of the HARC Conference in Phoenix, AZ
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Here are some pictures from the HARC dinner in Scottsdale hosted By Bill and Laurie Eckholm of Firetrace. More photos can be found here.  
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Wesco's Annual Christmas Party
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Most Popular Stories from November 2012 |
These are the stories in our last issue that got the most clicks. If you haven't already, check them out! |
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If you have any questions, comments, would like to be featured in a future Halon Herald, or would like to be added to our mailing list for this newsletter, please contact Kari Buser at kbuser@ushalonbank.com. WESCO HMB
1.800.433.1751
www.ushalonbank.com
OUR BLOG
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