Prayers Requested

Dear Friends;

I'd like to request that in your thoughts and prayers, you include Ken McGrath and his family. He was a co-worker of mine.....a signal maintainer for Metro North Railroad. Ken was struck and killed by a commuter train in Rye, N.Y. last Friday night. Despite a host of safety regulations for working on live tracks, railroads are still dangerous places. One of the reasons for my giving up my night supervisor position for a day foreman job is that I was getting uncomfortable working around the tracks at night. I just felt that I have been "losing my edge" as I've gotten older. You tend to get complacent with experience on my job. Ken had over 25 years experience when this tragedy occurred. This seems to be the norm according to statistics compiled of on-track fatalities over the years. The majority of fatalities seem to involve people with over 20 years on the job. Anyway... thank you for remembering Ken and his family.

Mike

Mike,

My prayers and thoughts are with Ken and his family and also with you and your other co-workers.  What a tragedy. 

I've spent the last 23 years living within whistle distance of railroad tracks and the sounds of the trains have become the background music of my life.  When I lived in Tucson, we had a flat roofed house that was about a mile from the train yard.  Some days, we'd haul lawn chairs and a cooler full of cold drinks to the roof and watch the trains.  When I bought my current home 9 years ago, I was happy to find another house within earshot of the tracks because the sounds of coupling cars and metal wheels on metal tracks lulls me to sleep at night.  My great uncle worked for Illinois Central in the early 1900's and I am proud to be the caretaker of his old train stool. 

I'm very sorry for your loss. Mike.  Be safe and be well.

Connie

prayers said.
sorry to hear of your loss.

My heartfelt prayers go to Ken and his family - and to you for your loss. Take care, Mike. Maureen

Prayers sent for him and his family. So sorry. Nice to see you again by the way! :)  And you be careful out there! 

Thank You all for your kind words and prayers. A tragedy like this tends to filter out some of the day to day B.S. and cause you to focus on what really matters.......Family, friends, good health.....to name a few. It certainly has put many things in perspective for me.

Be well, Dear Marchers

Mike