Tag: Firefighter

From Firefighter to Poet: Kendall Thompson

Behind the scene of the article “From Firefighter to Poet: Kendall Thompson.”

Kendall Thompson

Kendall Thompson is one of our successful Alexandrians who became a firefighter in 1986. He climbed up through the ranks at the Fairfax Fire Department to Fire Captain. He also had a strong childhood passion in writing poetry. During his pre-retirement years, he wrote his poems on his IPAD’s note application. He kept writing one poem after another. Now as a retiree, he is free to be a full-time poet.

Kendall comes from a large family. His parents Clayton Thompson, Sr and Irene Drayton had eleven children. Kendall’s siblings are:

Brenda Thompson Laster is a beautician who still practice in Alexandria, Virginia.

Clayton Thompson, Jr is a retired firefighter, currently employed by Homeland Security/Assistance Firefighters’ Grants

Jeffrey Thompson is deceased but he was a U.S. Army and laborer

Iris Thompson is retired from Alexandria City Public School as a Teacher’s Assistant

Marsha Thompson Smith is retired from Alexandria City Schools (Headquarters/School Board)

Lisa Thompson Mountain is a beautician in New Orleans, Louisiana

Norma Cheryl Thompson Blackmon deceased was retired from the U.S. Courts

Christopher Thompson is a retired firefighter and is now the Civilian Assistant to the Fire Chief of Alexandria City

Victor Thompson is a Sous Chef at a country club in Chantilly, Virginia

Michele Thompson is a paralegal in Fairfax, Virginia and she performs network marketing

Kendall is now making up for lost time he has published several books of poems. His books are:

“Why We Walk in the Street” – This book is about poems that give thoughts about these times that we are living in from the writer’s perspective. (Released June 21, 2020)

“Angry Black Man,” is a book of verse of the author’s thoughts. The book is to make you think. It is a black man’s thoughts. (Released July 7, 2020)

“Hearing Whispers,” describes the feelings that the author gets as his thoughts turn towards the loss of a loved one. Will we hear the whispers of our ancestors? Will we hear the whispers of those who have taken the journey, before us? Hearing Whispers is a part of our journey. (Released July 17, 2020)

“Revered,” is a book of verse about the author’s thoughts while this nation is trying to make sense of tumultuous year of 2020. This book will make you think. (Released August 6, 2020)

You can read more about Kendall Thompson in the Alexandria Gazette’s newspaper dated August 12, 2020 on page 8 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2020/081220/Alexandria.pdf.

At Heart a Firefighter for Life: Gerald Amos Wanzer

Gerald Amos Wanzer

In the Alexandria Gazette Newspaper dated Wednesday, December 19, 2019, on page 6 and 7 is the story of Gerald Amos Wanzer. Gerald has historical ties to the community in the West End of Alexandria, VA known to many as Seminary.

You can read his story in the Gazette on page 6 and 7 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/121819/Alexandria.pdf

California Firefighter with Family Ties in Alexandria, VA

California’s Firefighter with Family Ties from Alexandria, Virginia.

Behind the scenes of the Alexandria Gazette Packet’s article on, “Reuben Anthony Burton – “Making His Ancestors Proud” dated April 18, 2019.

Reuben Anthony Burton

Alexandria descendants are located throughout the United States, they are doing remarkable things across the United States. One young man with strong family ties in Alexandria, Reuben Anthony Burton is a California Firefighter. Reuben’s mother, Frances Norton-Burton who also lives in California has several generations of her Norton, Carter and Robinson families who had made Alexandria their home. Although Reuben was not born in Alexandria, his mother made sure that he knew his Alexandria roots. Reuben was christened at the Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church which is the home church of the Carter/Robinson families since the Civil War. Reuben’s grandfather, Arthur Norton and his family had been members of Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria since the Civil War.

Just like Reuben’s Alexandria cousins, Clayton Thompson and Kendall Thompson, they all

In honor of the fallen 9-11 victims.

decided to be firefighters. As a child Reuben wanted to be a firefighter, he found out what he needed to do to make it happen and he did it. He is an inspiration to all young people that wants to make their dreams a reality through obtaining the necessary skills to achieve their goal.

Check out a California’s Firefighter with Family Ties from Alexandria – “Making His Ancestors Proud” can be read in the Alexandria Gazette Packet’s newspaper on page 13 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/041719/Alexandria.pdf.

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