I am a Lieutenant with East Manatee Fire Rescue in Bradenton, FL and have been a firefighter since 1994.  I am vice-president of Manatee County IAFF Local 4074 and a proud father of 2 children, Brenna 4 and Zachary 3.  Both of our children were born at 26 weeks and weighed 1lb 14oz.  They both spent about 3 months in the NICU where my wife Memra lived.  We feel that we were blessed as both children are healthy and have no ill-effects of being born so young and this is a way to pay it forward.  I am counting on all my firefighter brothers and sisters to come through for me to raise a ton of money to help the Special Olympics.  Lets make it happen.