Shawn Alladio working the Mavericks Surf Contest 2010

Shawn Alladio working the Mavericks Surf Contest 2010
Mavericks Water Patrol

Sunday, November 14, 2010

RESTORE HONOR

For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2010

RESTORE HONOR

St. Mary's Cemetery has a story to tell, approximately 3,000 of them. From military veterans graves, 70 individual plots including a Medal of Honor Recipient to pioneer families of California.

Today 70 American flags are flying above the unmarked veterans graves since this past National holiday on Veteran's Day. On Monday the 8th, the Engineering Department of the City of San Buenaventura along with the Restore St. Mary's organization and general public surveyed the 7 acre, 3,000 desecrated graves of St. Mary's/Presbyterian/Hebrew Cemeteries. They embarked to re-locate the exact grave locations from records and mark all 70+ Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I veteran graves.



Private Charles H. Townsend marked grave. Photo courtesy of http://www.davidpuu.com/


Pvt. Townsends grave marker

Presently, only the grave of the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Private James Sumner is permanently marked. When you visit the cemetery there are still many headstones lying at the gravesites of our California ancestors.

Veteran's Day Memorialization on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 11 AM took place with taps being played and raising of the flag in their honor. Just like Veterans Day memorial celebrations across the United States, this was the first one performed here since 1967 in honor of our Nations Fallen Heroes at this cemetery.


Steve Schleder raises the flag on Veterans Day at San Buenavetura cemetery in Ventura, CA. Photo courtesy of http://www.davidpuu.com/

"I could see these soldiers standing up, these Generals, the Medal of Honor recipient. They are all over the place, this is a heavy moment. This not only affected myself, but everyone present. Look at all these guys! I started to see soldier friendships. How they wanted to be buried close to one another when one went to the grave; he wanted to be next to his brother. You could read history into these clumpings of graves. People were walking around the cemetery and reading the names on their graves, connecting with the memory of who this person was. It is like they are coming back to life. Yeah, we are here, we're still here, we've been waiting for you." remarks Mr. Schleder.

History
The cemetery was converted to a park in the mid-1960s, and the remains of approximately 3,000 people were left underneath the lush grass. The city of Ventura’s removal of approximately 600 bought-and-paid-for grave markers and headstones of pioneer families and war heroes laid to rest in what is now officially referred to as Cemetery Memorial Park, and to a few, 'Dog Park'.

About
Historical preservationist Steven Schleder founded the Restore St. Mary's Cemetery movement. Mr. Schleder has researched the history of the cemetery desecration, the subsequent mis-treatment of the surrounding grounds and graves. He has established a web site disseminating information about the restoration project. Please visit for additional historical records and information:
http://www.restorestmarys.org/

Podcast
If you would like to hear the interview that Steve Schleder did this morning on KTVA follow this link:

http://1400localsonly.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-11-13T12_01_44-08_00

Restore Honor Youtube Memorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw7eDtBImDs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Location
N 34° 16.931 W 119° 16.815
11S E 290102 N 3795797
 
Civil War Veterans at San Buenaventura
 http://www.restorestmarys.org/Civil%20War%20Vets.html
 

Cabinet Card: Le Fevre Webster, Civil War veteran, in GAR uniform.
Courtesy Simi Valey Historical Society

Sunday, November 07, 2010

RIDE Magazine


RIDE 7 001
Originally uploaded by K38 Rescue
Shawn Alladio of K38 Rescue:

Shawn is the IJSBA Water Safety Director, this sequence shot was taken at the 2009 IJSBA quakysense World Finals and highlights one of the Course Marshal duties on the race track, enjoy the short story!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Safety Heroes Benefit for Local USMC Families

SAFETY HEROES



"Our Safety personnel (police & fire) do an incredible job for us. They have dedicated their working lives to make our lives safer, more enjoyable & well, just better. We owe them our gratitude & support. Safetyheroes.org is a way of highlighting Safety Personnel and their good deeds, thanking them for what they do. - SafetyHeroes.org




Tortilla Jo's in Anaheim hosted the benefit in honor of Orange County California US Marines:




Sgt. Major Robert Cottle and Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni, true American Heroes. Sgt. Major Bottle was the first LAPD Officer killed in Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Cetanni is the son of Santa Ana, CA Police officer, Jon Centanni. The fundraiser took place from 6 to 8 pm right beofre Ted Nugent's House of Blues Anaheim CA concert.


 125 invited 'safety' guests were in attendance to support the surviving families of these fallen warriors. Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue personnel, Marines from Camp Pendleton who fought with Cottle and Centanni, and their guests gathered on the outdoor patio of the restaurant.


 Ted and Shamane Nugent supported the SafetyHeroes.org event by autographing a guitar and donated it towards the fund raising event along with concert tickets at the House of Blues. 'One of the most important thing to do is keep awareness of the sacrifice that these families have given', says Mark Peacock founder of SafetyHeroes.org.


K38's Shawn Alladio was recognized by SafetyHeroes.org for her vehicle accident rescue of Masahito Matasuura earlier this year, and one of the honored guests in attendance. "Supporting our rescue and armed forces community who serves our greater good is vital as an American citizen. Every day our nation's safety personnel place their lives and their families welfare on the line; in the line of fire and duty.' says Shawn. "Give back to those who step forward when a situation goes from bad to worse, because these folks really do make a difference in our society, and we should show our appreciation for their service."

 
Chris Burget, Tim and Paul Vasin (Costa Mesa Fire Department, and Peter Zarcone (LAPD-SWAT-Friend of Sgt. Cottle) helped set up the benefit fundraiser as a tribute to the fallen. Never Forget. Please make a donation in honor of their ultimate sacrifice.



Rick Centanni Memorial Fund

http://www.rickcentanni.com/



Robert Cottle Memorial Fund

http://www.lapfcu.org/home/community/donationcottle



Safety Heroes

http://www.safetyheroes.org/



Ted Nugent

http://www.tednugent.com/
 







Sunday, August 15, 2010

SafetyHeroes.org Benefit Fundraiser featuring Ted Nugent

SafetyHeroes.org Benefit Fundraiser



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


In Honor of Marine Sgt. Major Robert Cottle and Marine Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni


                                         Sgt. Major Cottle and Cpl. Centanni

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2010

SafetyHeroes.org has organized an important fund-raising event for the families of two fallen Orange County US Marines: Marine Sgt. Major Robert Cottle & Marine Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni – true American Heroes.

 
Marine Sgt. Major Robert Cottle was the first LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Officer killed in Afghanistan. Marine Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni is the son of a City of Santa Ana (Orange County) Police officer, Jon Centanni. The Cottle/Centanni Fund-Raising event will be taking place from 6-8pm right before Ted Nugent’s Anaheim concert at the House of Blues.

It is estimated that there will be at least 125 recognized safety heroes in attendance to honor the lives of these Marines: law enforcement/fire & Marines (fought with Cottle & Centanni).

Shawn Alladio of K38 Rescue is one of the invited Orange County safety guests, ‘Supporting our warriors and their families is a sacred trust for each American family. Our way of life, our freedom and our safety is reliant on their sacrifices. To say ‘thank you’ is not enough. Participate through action and volunteering your time to show these families they truly are not forgotten is the best way to honor their service’. Says Shawn a renowned water safety rescue specialist in the use of Personal Watercraft for rescue and patrol.

“Ronald Reagan once said ‘Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem’. He was right. Sgt. Major Robert J. Cottle and Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni made a difference. We shall never forget”. States, Mark Peacock, founder of SafetyHeroes.org and the event organizer.


Mark’s program honors local heroes. They have dedicated their working lives to make our lives safer, more enjoyable. We owe them our gratitude & support.Safetyheroes.org offers a way of highlighting our Safety Heroes good deeds and thanking them for what they do.


Sgt. Major Cottle and Cpl. Centanni

About: Robert J. Cottle Returning Heroes Veterans Fund

Since the events of 9/11 over a million U.S. service members have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the war against terrorism. Currently the U.S. has nearly 140,000 troops still deployed. The DOD estimates that 360,000 returning service members suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and over 31,000 have sustained other serious injuries. In addition to these injuries many will suffer with various recovery issues. Cops 4 Causes is committed to ensuring that services our fighting men and women need will be available when they return. Please join with us to support our efforts to support our troops. Show your support by giving to the Cops 4 Causes Returning Hero’s Veterans Fund.

This fund is named for Robert J. Cottle, an LAPD SWAT officer and a Sergeant Major with the United States Marine Corps who was killed in early 2010 while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.

Police Officer Cottle is the first LAPD officer to be killed in the Iraq/Afghanistan wars.

About: Lance Corporal Rick Centanni, USMC



Rick was killed in action March 24, 2010 when his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Marja region of southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province on the Pakistani border in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Rick and his fellow Marines sacrificed their today for our tomorrow and for this we will remain eternally grateful. We will never forget you, your sacrifice or your fallen comrades.

A memorial fund has been set up in honor of Lance Corporal Rick Centanni so that his name and legacy will live on in our community as well as in our hearts.

Friends of Sgt Major Robert Cottle and Lance Corporal Rick Centanni

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQlK_...eature=related

Memorial fund set up by Jon Centanni, Rick’s father

http://www.rickcentanni.com/

RIP Rick Centanni Facebook Page




Cottle Family Fund (surviving wife Emily & 1 year old daughter)


Mark J. Peacock, Founder

Safetyheroes.org





K38 Water Safety: http://www.k38rescue.com/

 

Ted Nugent has been known for cranking his Gibson Byrdland and performing like a madman since his days with the Amboy Dukes. In the thirty yeas since departing the ‘Dukes’, he has established himself as a successful solo artist and has been part of a few super groups, most notably Damn Yankees. An avid hunter as well as a guitar legend, the Nuge’s restless spirit ahs driven him into many other ventures, including stints as a radio show host and a regular contributor for numerous publications. In recent years Ted has become known as an author and hosts his own hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting lifestyle show on Outdoor Channel. Ted is a passionate supporter of charities and warrior projects such as the NRA, Blood Brothers, Kamp for Kids, Freedom’s Angels, and the USO. He is outspoken on supporting law enforcement, the US Constitution and those who serve on the front lines.

Ted will be performing at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California
When: Sunday 8/15/2010 5:30 – 8:00 (Ted Nugent Concert at 9)


Benefit:

1510 DISNEYLAND DRIVE
ANAHEIM 92802
Tel: 714-535-5000



Tortilla Jo’s
About: SafetyHeroes.org Benefit Fundraiser and Ted Nugent

Sunday, August 01, 2010

The War Within

To All My Brothers


The character employed for the custom of warfare is one of ultimate sacrifice. To sacrifice in itself, alters the moral nature and sentiments often gifted towards a daily existence. Life itself is in the exchange. This ethos is the track line of a warrior, one who can handle the homicidal deliberation vital to conflict at arms.



Sentiment cannot be often employed, for it can kill or strike away at the edifice of war strategy when mediocrity becomes an influencing weakness. A personal dissolution to the degree of many known comforts that are familiar to our modern lifestyle ensue.



When aggressively engaged in the peripheral of battle, essentials such as water, food and shelter are vital to survival. Societal gains are deliberately parked while strife and armed conflict thrive in a state of hostility. Bodies take strikes and so can the mind, often the silent destruction plies the corners of a Holy solitary night. Some return, and some drift into the lee of a strong wind blowing a hallowed valley of our Death.



Situations and the awareness of threat; potential and striking range prime and heighten this passage, one that a warrior takes when there’s an enemy to destroy. It is a competition of opposites.







The rules do not employ the powerfully shifting emotions that lead one to a spiritual foundation, one must grasp this individually and have dialogue with the Creator.


The surge needed is all for destroying an opponent and making them weaker than your own position. This struggle is to endure longer than your adversary; to continue life before yours is taken, and there will be residual strife.

 
Shoemaker Brothers ‘AMERICA’ 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF2dgkxqSW4







The variance of a soul is dependent upon that individual personal code of conduct and absolute faith. There are often valiant and strenuous engagements; loss and horror, enduring efforts and difficulties, great exchanges are delivered through dramatic actions.


The grand controversy of our collective human scope unfolds in brilliant canopies of movement. The rewards are not excessive in community flare, it is duty first.


It is a continuum of conflict and confrontation. This is where reputation earns rank, all for the compliment of civility to distinguish our nation; to defend and uphold principles and values, to serve something outside of oneself, greater than I, than you.

 

To be a warrior, one must engage.


A fight is esteemed with respect and reverence that offers a veneration of noble reputation. The interpretation of honor is the exclusionary process of opinion. The honor extended to courage, brotherhood and fidelity coexist with a just 'righteous' cause of one's own admission. The strict conformity of duty that is imposed through the position of moral worth drives the position of warfare.


There are many little daily wars. Some of them are at home, thriving in hidden thoughts, against neighbors, against oneself, against an enemy perceived or a duty to justice served. This does not mean all is good. There is surrender in war, through vivid memories exposed through smell, sound and unkind thoughts, provoked by senses.


War is movement without hesitation, bound to virtues of a warrior ethos that cannot be assumed, but earned through merit and scope of sacrifice. Each Warrior finds his shore, even amidst erosion, the safety of a familiar continent looms through the haze of losses, gains and troubled nights. There is grace that only comes with the gift of time.

The ending is the most important of all.
http://www.pararescue.com/



Shawn Alladio - K38 Rescue
July 30, 2010

 
In Honor of Steve Schleder -
Desecrated Military Veterans Gravesites at St. Mary’s, Ventura CA.
'Damaged But Not Forgotten'
http://www.restorestmarys.org/


Friday, July 30, 2010

Priddy Awesome


Priddy Awesome



‘Tomorrow I’m finally going out of Pendleton with Captain Priddy’ I wrote in an email hastily in the early morning. It is Thursday July 29th, 2010. Dates are important. Dates are time. Time is our greatest commodity. It is the one thing we waste the most and cannot recover again. There are no repeat performances to life. I was on my way to a celebration date, a ‘Life Day’.

“What a great treat for you and Priddy!

Have more than fun, see God”

Steve




A moment in time

Steve’s words are vital to life itself. I kept his suggestion close and twisted them in my visuals as I drove down the I-5 towards Camp Pendleton, the USMC base in North County San Diego, CA. Led Zeppelin was blasting from my radio. Four Jet Skis lined up in step to my truck gleaming red hot streaks at a steady clip in the #2 lane in my side view mirror. I make the bend in the flow of traffic at Dana Point and the Big Blue Pacific Ocean looms its expanse into a deep prism of cobalt, a flat sheen. It’s going to be smooth today, small swell and fun, I muse. It was early. I was going to grab a coffee and meet him at his old Recon Bay. Soon we would be riding two of them out from Pelican Point, around the break wall and heading north to the surfline off of LCAC Country.

I had last seen Captain Priddy on May 29th, 2009 at our K38 Recon Appreciation Day, a fun day on the beach, even though it was drizzling and cold, the Devil Dawgs showed their best. It was a reward for their training schedule from their Gysgt. Colbert. Good friends of mine came out and supported. A few broken chairs, offshore rides, food and fun, soon the men would be leaving once their training was complete.

One thing you can learn from this story is how one’s heart and soul wrapped in perseverance and bolstered with faith can endure difficult times, days, months. The second thing you can learn from this story is don’t just ‘thank’ a service person for the military service, or their emergency service work or their law enforcement job, thank them by participating in their life. There are many ways an expression of gratitude can be extended. In honor of someone, donating time to a noteworthy charity or event is one small measure and easily attainable. It is the American Way.



Priddy’s Wingman on the Big Blue
September 2009, Captain Priddy’s Recon platoon deployed via ship to chartered waters worldwide. Thousands of miles away Priddy checks out for Lymphoma Cancer as the calendar crosses into the year 2010. In the military you do time, here or there, it’s an endurance of time and sacrifices of a personal nature. He makes several medical stops on his way back to the States and finally arrives in San Diego. Chemotherapy, check. Physical Training, check. Determination, check. The inner circle keeps me afloat of his progress.

The next time I meet with Andrew, a year has passed. It’s July 22nd. We meet at Pizza Port in San Clemente. He orders a pizza and we swap beer cheers. He makes the announcement: “Bone marrow biopsy came back good today, so I’m cancer free once again!” I break into a smile that cannot eclipse his own. He’s on top of the world, gifted twice, gifted with life. Words are tumbling from my thoughts and none spoke are expressive enough to warrant the measure of miracles. Andrew says ‘prayers work’. That caps the conversation and we stare at one another, independent thoughts roam of the possibilities and potentials of hope. Andrew Priddy is officially cancer free.

This places Andrew in the statistical equivalent of a ‘survivor or in remission’. Cancer research and medical applications are trying their best to catch up to curing the many layers of cellular damage or possibly crack a genetic code. Some cancers are operating under environmental exposures, one thing is for sure. There are a lot of forms of cancer. Every family has a story. Cancer ‘survivors’ are increasing in numbers. Andrew is officially deemed a ‘cancer survivor’, twice removed. His warrior status encompasses a second tier level of a fight for life, few are privileged to endure. God is at work, Andrew is listening, as others are, as prayers are lifted up, as doctors perform their duties, as family stands by.

I pull into the boat ramp area. Andrew is standing outside his truck, wetsuit is on, coffee is almost done. We greet and chat a spell, then begin loading some gear. Launching the boats, I park the truck and trailer while he is on his ski, primed. We go over a few skill drills and training discussion. He’s a quick study and a gifted athlete, easy to lead. We finish and head out the harbor mouth. As soon as we turn the break wall we cut to starboard and head out on a steady clip. I look over at Andrew, his smile beams. Mine reciprocates, confirmed, we are experiencing a proper blessing.





The ocean ahead has a little texture to it. We close in on the shore and the surf is small, but there are a few shoals that throw up head high easy rollers. A few sets roll through and offer clean surprises. Andrew is on the hunt. He’s throttling fast into the water heading towards his bow, but he’s in control, steady speed. We run on the inshore and wait for sets, tacking in and out.


We employ another stop gap moment to shut down the boats and share experiences, the rewind button of thoughts. ‘Perspective and situational awareness’, we both agree are key differences that can keep mediocrity in it’s dungeon. This is the theme of our day.


Andrew is riding the waves, surfing faces on a 960 lb. watercraft. He throttles down and keeps the bow steady into the oncoming peaks, nice and easy. The smiles are a constant flag. There is plenty of time to appreciate the personality of the ocean waves this morning. Time is on our side and it’s all ours. Over 6 billion people in the world, we are experiencing our element. A thought I keep close every day of my life.



We hang for a while then head offshore at a full pace. It’s called Wide Open Throttle (WOT). When we get outside we shut the boats down, sit, drift and talk. The banter of the future, the ever prevalent topic of mediocrity and mindset compliments how we think. We navigate the concrete manifestation of forward movement, and how it applies to the quality of life. He comments ‘Every day I look around at my job, I get paid to do this, I get to drive boats. ..’ his words trail off as I concur, it truly is amazing. Locked in this moment the conversation steadies itself to our mutable perception of what drives us? Perception and mindset, the pinnacles of a merged experience mingled with maturity. If only you could teach this. If only people would not settle for less and start moving forward.



We spin back and troll along at a very fast pace, the tempo is successive to the follow through with the swell pattern. Our Jet Skis load nice and easy at applied throttle. The ocean has been kind to us. The sky overhead drags a patchy cloud cover. The warmth of the sun keeps us comfortable. The water of the Pacific Ocean always has a cold chill to it. The winds touch down and lift off the surface but never blow. I absorb the colors and gentle movements all around us. I stare back at the fringe of a continent.




A pod of dolphins (porpoises) joins us in the open. They meander in a tight formation, their speed is fascinating. They cut water and glide between breaths. Looking astern they draft off the trailing wake energy. Their mouth curved lending an appearance they are grinning, no they are wild, not here to assume our affection for being special. We tread into a discussion about the differences between porpoises and dolphins. The intercourse of thoughts are rapid and exciting, rabid for a hunger to gain knowledge as we all should be inclined. I look over at Priddy and he is all about seizing moments. I watch over him as we get back underway. He has perfect form for riding. He’s got his stride down and readily trims the boat. He chooses his own line.


Porpoises on the Lead

We ride, and check in, talk and decide what comes next. Hunger wakes up the clock. It’s time to eat. It seems that Mexican food keeps popping up. I fix my thoughts on that knowing the food will sit heavy afterwards and will be relaxing for the ride home. Andrew sets the pace back to the base. It’s fast, sure and steady.

We return in step together through the jaws of the harbor and hit smooth water. The final burst of speed. A celebratory coming back home safe sprint, sometimes speed is simply necessary. Nearing the ramp Recon is setting up for dives. We load our boats and spend a few moments talking with fellow Marines and some future training business. One thing is for sure, Marines train Marines with mindset, capability and skill sets to match real world concerns. I get it. But one thing we fail in the private sector is how to define an action. We assume far too often then we face the reality of endurance. I look over at Priddy. He’s has one of those smiles you get when you earn it.



We head off base and go to the Longboarder Café downtown. Our conversation returns to the future. I look outside the window. America is on the move. Life moves on with or without us. Some people are here and just doing time. A few like Priddy have plans beyond the mundane of necessity He’s taken two hits into the unknown mystery of our flesh. We finish our roll here and head back to base. The victory slam is symbolized in fists coming together. The two forward forces stop at connection, and agree upon one thing. Sometimes you just ‘know’ and the only thing you need to do is keep moving, keep thinking, never stop moving.

Semper Fi

Take the Time to Review These Worthy Viewing Points - Imagine Potential

Cancer Facts & Figures 2010 – We are all a number at some point http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerFactsFigures/cancer-facts-and-figures-2010

Lymphoma: A Detailed Description – Get the facts
http://www.lymphomation.org/about-details.htm


2010 Marine Corps Marathon – American Cancer Society – support a worthy cause
http://determination.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY10SouthAtlantic?pg=entry&fr_id=27503


Rock Against Cancer –Bringing the healing power of music to children battling cancer
http://www.rockagainstcancer.org/


The Gratitude Campaign – By Ed Brenegar
http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/leading_questions/2009/08/the-gratitude-campaign.html

Prayers for USMC Capt. Priddy – A facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-USMC-Capt-Priddy/288661489003?ref=ts


Shoemaker Brothers - America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF2dgkxqSW4


K38 Appreciation Day Photo Album
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k38shawn/sets/72157619016640986/




The Rest of Your Life

I thank you, Shawn Alladio


Note: Rose Hill made the collage, thank you for your support Rose.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Shawn Alladio


Shawn
Originally uploaded by K38 Rescue
2010 APBA Nationals Round 1 & 2
Parker Arizona
Course Marshal
The National Anthem is playing before the race start

2010 LB2CAT 455


2010 LB2CAT 455
Originally uploaded by K38 Rescue
Hooking up TAD Racing's Tyler White during the 2010 LB2CAT race. Fog rolled in and the I stopped racing and helped a few downed riders, long day on the water. Everyone came home safe.

Aerial photo courtesy of http://www.PWCoffshore.com

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

USMC Recon Marine Cpt Priddy

www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-USMC-Capt- Priddy/28866...!