In Response to "HIPAA-crisy" published in Command Post on March 4, 2005:

I hope your back is better and you are up and at 'em again. I got home last week and am trying to adjust to civilian life again. Thank goodness my family is so good to me and my employer, the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District and Chief Steven Westermann, are very understanding, giving me all of the time I need to "adjust" back to the good life.

I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness to all of the deployed soldiers and their families. The cards, letters, and care packages we received from firefighters
all over the world were a huge morale booster and were a constant reminder to all of our soldiers that firefighters around the world support us. Best wishes
for a speedy recovery.

Ben Chlapek
Deputy Chief, CJCFPD
Blue Springs, Mo.