The KC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was a huge success – and we were there!

Hello there friends,

It’s a cool Monday morning here in Kansas City and as I’m getting around for the day, I’ve been reflecting on this last weekend’s events. Last week there was a little news about this event that hit the National press, but due to the proactive work of law enforcement the issue was thwarted:

The show went on.

We sponsored the 2015 KC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – specifically the celebration dinner the night before – called the “Brotherhood Bash”. It’s a time for the firemen to get together and bond before the next morning where they climb 110 stories in full firefighter gear. It’s impressive.

Here’s Lennie at the event having a great time; and the group of us had some good laughs, met some great people, ate, drank, and participated in the raffle for a lot of goodies at the end of the night.

During the event’s festivities, Dave Bova (the Event coordinator, and good friend of mine) unveiled this mural:

It’s the first of it’s kind in existence, but probably not the last. It’s got a picture of every fallen firefighter (all 343 of them) that was in New York on that fateful day back on September 11, 2001. This event is to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice and to promise to “never forget”.

It’s a touching way to spend a weekend and as I hugged my family it brought some sense of gratefulness and pride to be a part of this celebration. It’s a memorial for a tragic day, but the “togetherness” makes things better. We will be back next year and we hope you get it on your calendars now so you can witness the power of the “brotherhood”. It’s worth the time, trust me.

Take care, have a great Monday. Mine is starting off great!

Ryan

September 11, we will never forget. This is one way you can remember…

Hello there fellow Americans!

The day is rapidly approaching and as you may or may not know, my businesses Mission Repair and Mission Survivor both support and sponsor many Law Enforcement and Fire Department events. The biggest event of the year is coming up!

The first known 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb event occurred on September 11, 2003 during “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. Albuquerque Fire Department Lieutenant Charles Cogburn scaled a two story building 55 times wearing body armor, a helmet and an M-4. Lt Cogburn returned home and on the following September 11th (2004) the climb was brought back to Albuquerque and given the title Albuquerque Firefighters Memorial Stair Climb. Firefighters from Engine 5 and Engine 2 were dispatched at 8:46am (the time the initial dispatch of FDNY units occured) to the Bank of Albuquerque Building in downtown Albuquerque. The building is 22 stories tall and it was climbed 5 times.

Over the years, the movement has grown, and Kansas City honors the fallen Firefighters on 9/11 with our own Stair Climb that is being held downtown on September 13, 2015 put on by legendary Kansas City local Firefighters Dave Bova and Tom Hoegler. On average, thirty climbs occur every year across the country.

Last year was the first time I witnessed the event. I am truly looking forward to and honored that we are invited. In fact, my entire business has been invited to the “Brotherhood Bash” the night before; so it becomes a big event and big weekend for us all.

So I’m helping spread the word and the event is open to the public. Come on down Sunday morning and pay tribute to the cause, it’s free and I promise that it’s a touching and an amazing way to feel connected to continue the promise that “we never forget”. It’s important and if you see us down there, come by to say hello!

Last tidbit; I performed the stair climb last year as well. 110 stories of course that represents the same amount of flights that the firefighters climbed on 9/11 to rescue with tragic results. I’ll be doing it again this year, but in full firefighter bunker gear. Wish me luck…

Have a great evening, Ryan

We’re working a booth at NAPWDA next week!

Hello friends-

We’re in final preparations to work the 2014 NAPWDA workshop in Eureka, Missouri next week. What is NAPWDA you ask? Of course, it’s the North American Police Work Dog Association show! We’ve got a special connection with our local Police Department in Olathe, Kansas and my other business, Mission Survivor, supplies equipment and goods to Police Departments all over the country!

Did you know that I’ve been through the Police Academy?

Ok, it’s not the “real” Police Academy, but more specifically the “Citizen’s Police Academy” that is put on each year through the Olathe PD and it was a blast. It was a good time for me to learn about Police work and to also volunteer to get zapped with a Taser, but that’s a whole different story! It’s on Youtube 😉

So why talk about this? Well, I’m going to be out of the office for a few days (Until Thursday, May 8th) so I’m going to leave you in the competent hands of my General Manager, Troy Harris at the helm of the ship. Email him here if you need him!

I won’t be totally out of touch though – the show actually runs at night so we will be working “remotely”. I might post up at a local Starbucks or even try out the lounge Wifi from the hotel, but certainly I’ll send some pictures of some dogs, our Mission Survivor booth and me in my gear. It’s the ultimate marketing piece when I get my tactical goodies on…and it makes me feel like a tough guy. Like a cop.

Things should be up and running smoothly at the Mission Repair headquarters while I’m away. If not, I’ll take care of business from afar while simultaneously watching the Police dogs work! If you’re interested, and if you’re in town, there is a public display of the Police K9 capabilities on Wednesday, May 7th, at 7pm. It’s a great time…more details to follow!

Talk to you soon, Ryan

Who’s ready for some football? Will you be watching this weekend?

Hello Mission Repair blog fans (and football fans!) –

It’s a nerve wracking weekend here at our sister company down the street and we just had to brag a little bit about it… Mission Survivor is sponsoring the weekly NFL Pregame show here in Kansas City…and the first commercial will happen just minutes before the Chiefs game on Sunday! Here’s what has been running for the last couple of weeks to get the anticipation up:

What does this mean for you? We want all of our Mission Repair blog readers to have a chance to participate too. Watch the video and sign up (from anywhere in the country!) and pick your weekly winners and you could win one of 18 Mission Survivor Gift Certificates! We are hoping to really generate some more traffic at the Mission Survivor headquarters, I’m trying to overload Melanie and Adam that work up front. Since our sales have been off the charts already in September that means that Derrick and Leon in shipping will have their hands full…but I know that I can push them to their limits for a bit longer 😉

That seems fair, right?

Ok, we are looking to hire 2 new employees in the very near future, but for now sit back, relax and get your football season started. Are there any Broncos fans out there? If you’re one, I bet you’re pretty happy today, right? Ol’ Manning can still throw the ball!

OK, we’re almost at closing time here at Mission Repair…have a great weekend but remember that we’re open Saturday and Sunday if you need us!

Best, Ryan

Ryan’s world-famous meatball sandwiches.

Hello everyone, it’s been a long week but I can’t really believe that it’s Friday already and we are getting ready to close Mission Repair for the night!

I was home last weekend and decided to fire up the “meatball sandwich making machine” (that’s me) and whip up a batch of meatballs. I had family in town, so I was trying to impress…and it worked out!

Ryan’s famous meatball sandwiches!

I know, you’re saying “Cheetos Puffs on the side? Come on Ryan”. Well it’s true, I’m a Cheetos fan and at the time it just went well together. I understand if it’s not for you.

The awesome part is that we’ve been eating leftovers for the last few days. Well it’s awesome until you just have enough marinara in your life 😉 time to take a break from the heartburn.

These beauties are one of my specialties along with some amazing French toast. In fact, at one company breakfast a long time ago, I pulled out the meatball sandwiches and as a group we ate them for breakfast. Odd? Not at all. That was about 7 years ago and I still have employees talking about it!

What’s your specialty?

Have a great weekend! We will be out at the Gardner Fairgrounds this weekend running a booth for my other business, Mission Survivor. Stop on by and say hi!

Take care, Ryan