Jumpline magazine January 2024 - Flipbook - Page 23
Retiree Page
Jeff and Jen Burns
23
30th Annual Metro-Dade Fire昀椀ghters Retiree Reunion 2023
The 30th Annual Metro-Dade Fire昀椀ghters Retiree Reunion was held at
the R-Ranch In the Mountains from
September 29 thru October 1, 2023.
The Dahlonega, Georgia venue has
been the home of the Retiree Reunion since 2002 and has provided
our retirees and wannabes with an
incredibly beautiful landscape to
compliment all the memories that
were made there over the past 21
years. The convenience of a setting
with RV parking and cabins in a town that has so much to offer
our members makes the R-Ranch just about perfect.
As your current hosts/organizers of this incredible event,
Jen and I think this year’s reunion turned out to be the absolute best one during our tenure. We were impressed by the
number of attendees, especially those that were attending for
the 昀椀rst time. The 昀椀rst timers made it clear to us that they will
now be making it an annual “must do.” The reunion brings
us together for what I call “our 昀椀rehouse for the weekend,”
so that we spend time with those that we worked with for so
long. In all those years working side by side we shared many
laughs and good times, as well as many tears and hard times
which, by the nature of the beast, are just part of the job. This
event gives us the opportunity to renew the bond.
So, on the week of the reunion’s 30th anniversary, approximately 300 of our retirees (昀椀re昀椀ghters and dispatchers) and
their families, descended upon the R-Ranch to celebrate a
milestone. It is so hard to believe that over thirty years ago
this event started with just a few couples getting together at
someone’s home for a potluck meal. Look to see just how
far this event has come. The history of this gathering is super cool when you trace it back to its beginnings, and we are
just ecstatic for the opportunity to be a part of it over the last
several years.
During the week of the event, the retirees had the chance to
compete in a golf tournament, a 昀椀shing tournament, a softball
tournament, a wine tasting event and several days of yoga.
Local 1403 also hosted our very 昀椀rst beer garden in RV Lot
200 and our Fire昀椀ghters Benevolent arranged a BBQ for all
those dinosaurs that participated in the softball game. Volunteers host all of these activities. Quite honestly, without their
dedication and willingness to step up and make it a fantastic
time for all, none of it would have been possible.
Jen and I would like to give a huge shout out to Local
1403 and the Benevolent who so graciously continue to
co-sponsor this reunion every single year. Not only do
they co-sponsor, but they show up in numbers to be a part
of all the MDFR history that comes together for a magical
weekend in the mountains of Georgia. We are in a much
better place 昀椀nancially thanks to their sponsorship. We also
must acknowledge all the volunteers who showed up in big
numbers to assist us this year. So many came to the lodge to
help with moving furniture, hanging banners and decorating.
Also, to all those who sat at the registration desk checking
in our members, sold 50/25/25 raf昀氀e tickets and donated all
the beautiful items for the auction, we cannot say thank you
enough. We could not have done this without you!
We sincerely hope that all of this year’s attendees thoroughly enjoyed it. We are already
looking forward to the 2024 Retiree Reunion
which will be held from September 27-29th at
the R-Ranch In the Mountains and we sure hope
to see you there. If you have any questions regarding the 2024 reunion, you can send us an
email at jandjburns13@yahoo.com
January 2024 | JUMPLINE Magazine