Monday, February 24, 2014
In the fall of 2007 John Marrinan entered the squadron room of Walter M. Schirra Jr Composite Squadron as a senior member recruit. His mission was clear, volunteer at the same squadron where years earlier his youngest son had been the cadet squadron commander. It was during this first meeting at the squadron where John and I first met. I too was visiting for the first time. We were both fireman and knew the academy well which helped a great deal when asking around for space to conduct meetings and training. It was during our first six months at the squadron that I learned just how resourceful and well connected John actually was. He quickly migrated into the positions of logistics and personnel which served the squadron well. When our group commander was looking for warm bodies to help out at the annual summer base encampment, John was one of the first senior members to step up. Johns’ role as operations chief at encampment over the next five years was instrumental to the overall success of our summer mission. While John couldn’t attend during the summer of 2013, he still insisted on assisting me with the finance and operations protocols necessary for a successful outcome. I gladly accepted his mentoring skills. John had that “Can Do” attitude that every organization looks for and needs. It’s the key to comradery and volunteerism. I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with John, and I thank God for sending him to Schirra in 2007. We’ll all miss him very much.
