COLUMN: Bucket list highlight!

OFF THE MARK COLUMN
By: 
Mark Spensley
Express Co-Publisher

     When it comes to my list of things to do on my bucket list, flying in a helicopter would be one of those items I never truly expected to cross off the list. But this past Friday, while attending the Iowa Firefighters Convention in Manchester, I was able to do just that.

     Nine of my fellow Monticello firefighters and myself ventured to the Manchester airport and boarded a Huey flown by the Lighthorse Black Knights, a group of former Vietnam veterans if I am correct.

     For about fifteen minutes we flew in an open-door Huey helicopter and I must say it’s one of the most exciting rides I’ve ever been on. We went up, dropped down, took awesome sharp turns, cruised just a few feet off the ground.

     I can’t say enough how exciting that ride was and to be able to share that with a bunch of my close friends made it that much better.

     Another convention first. On Friday, during the firefighter contests, our Monticello contingent got to experience another first. One of our own, Reece Norton, at the end of his knot tying drill, slipped a diamond ring on the rope and had his girlfriend, Samantha Tuetken, inspect his knots, which seemed to puzzle her.

     It didn’t take Sam but a few seconds to realize what was about to happen as she spotted the ring and put her hands to her face in disbelief. Reece slipped that diamond ring on her finger and asked for her hand in marriage. She said yes. I must admit that was a pretty awesome idea and Reece did a great job pulling it off.

     The IFA judges were great letting Reece use their venue for such a big life moment for the both of them. Someone mentioned that to their knowledge, this was the first time someone got engaged in the middle of an IFA drill. Best of luck to both Reece and Sam.

 

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