What’s Next…Locusts?

So last week I’m sitting in my car, waiting on line to get gas at the Sunoco station located in the town on Long Island where I live. Waiting on a line for gas was eerily reminiscent of the gas crisis of the 70’s, only the difference now was that back in those days my buddies and I would walk up and down the lines of cars, which ranged from Cadillac Coupe de Ville’s to Oldsmobile 442’s (affectionately pronounced four-four-two), offering to wax their cars for five bucks while they waited in line for gas at the stations in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. We made some good money doing that back then, and we were almost sad when the gasoline crunch was over as so was our fast cash!

Ok, back to my story. It was about 1:45 PM on a bright, sunny, and warm day in New York. Listening to the new Studio 54 station on Sirius XM radio (which brought me back to those old days even more), I waited patiently on line in the number five position, similar to the US Airways Shuttle waiting to take off from LaGuardia. This particular gas station is owned by a local guy named Richie, whose father owned and operated the station for fifty years prior to Richie taking his father’s place as sole proprietor. They offer fuel at the most reasonable prices in town, along with the same price for cash or credit. The workers they hire all are local kids from the neighborhood, who wear a clean blue uniform with the Sunoco logo clearly visible for easy identification, and pleasantly assist everyone whether they prefer the full serve or self serve pumps.

All of a sudden, I felt the car begin to quickly “roll” in a very even sway, almost as though two people were on either side of my vehicle rocking it gently, but yet ever so quickly. Not being the most mechanical person in the world when it comes to cars (the first time I ever even opened the hood on this car was when the dealer forgot to replenish the windshield washer fluid after two years of being serviced, and the indicator light came on and wouldn’t leave me alone until I filled the washer fluid reservoir, so I had no choice to replace the fluid just so the silly light would go away). Thinking I needed a tune-up or something to the equivalent of a major engine job, I figured if I shut the car off and restarted it, the rocking might cease and desist…after all when my laptop or Blackberry act up I just reboot it or pull the battery for thirty seconds and it works for those gadgets so I figured it would work for the car as well. So I shut the car off and immediately realize that the vehicle is still shaking, and after a few “WTF’s?” I realize that it’s not the car but the ground shaking. Not seeing a truck next to or even near me, I immediately look at the station building to my left, and see my reflection in the panes of plate glass windows also shaking.

Since I have been in a minor earthquake or two during my travels over the years (I’ve also run from a tornado, stood close to flowing lava, and escaped on a jet ski from an alligator), I realized that this was indeed an earthquake and being the sometimes silly guy I am, thought it was pretty cool! People in cars next to me weren’t as impressed with this bout from Mother Nature as I was, as some folks began to complain of nausea, and screaming that they were about to get swallowed up in a giant sinkhole and land in the bowels of the earth. I was just happy that I didn’t need a tune up. Two days later about 8:45 or so AM, I’m sitting in my office located in my home with the windows open, and this time I hear this incredibly loud “BOOM” come from somewhere that I surmised was certainly close to where I was. Looking out the window I don’t see any smoke, however within a few minutes I do hear the pager going off from my next door neighbor, who is a volunteer fire fighter. The local fire departments immediately began receiving calls from the 911 dispatchers in a few surrounding towns, all reporting disasters ranging from an explosion at Brookhaven National Laboratory, in Upton, NY; a plane crash; a gas station explosion; and even another earthquake. I just thought that maybe someone found a leftover cherry bomb from the fourth of July and decide to give it a whirl as the unofficial end of summer was on the horizon, but being so close to the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, you always have that in mind when an unexpected explosion occurs.

What I did come to learn a little while later when I text another buddy of mine who is a local fire commissioner asking him what had happened, was that it was a sonic boom caused by an F-15 military fighter aircraft from the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. The plane flew out of Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Mass. that morning to a “designated zone” over Long Island Sound for a combat training mission. Shortly thereafter while flying the mission, the pilot experienced a mechanical malfunction leading to a rapid decompression, causing the pilot to follow protocol and immediately descend from an altitude of 34,000 feet to 15,000 feet within seconds. That’s when he broke the sound barrier, and created the sonic boom that once again rocked our quiet little neighborhood in eastern Long Island. The pilot was then able to immediately regain control of the aircraft and return to Barnes Air National Guard Base, where he landed safely. Upon arrival the pilot received decompression treatment, but thankfully was uninjured seriously. However some people in the area were still shaken up after their second bout with a very unexpected and frightening experience with a few days.

Three times a charm in one week? Not for us! Two days later, Hurricane Irene decides that she will visit us for a weekend, and we all know the devastation that this storm has caused, and is still causing, in so many parts of the northeast. As of this writing there are still many families in this area and in so many other areas that are covered by this magazine still without power, and many still unable to even return to their homes, or what is left of them, to even assess the damage.

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers certainly go out to these people, and I am sure that this thing of ours will appropriately respond to this disaster and help these families become whole. We hear so many horror stories about people complaining how their rates are too high, etc., but it’s times like this that the people in our industry truly shine, and become the unknown heroes to many who without the insurance agents and brokers who provided them with the proper coverage when the sun was shining, would not have the ability to rebuild not only their homes, but their lives as well. Insurance may not be the sexiest business in the world to be in, but it sure wipes tears, delivers ice cream cones, and puts a smile back on the faces of those whom we touch in their time of need. I for one am proud to be in this business.

Couple of events this summer that I want to share with you, the first being the Young Insurance Professionals of New York, in conjunction with the Professional Insurance Agents of New York, held their annual golf outing at the exclusive Seawane Country Club in beautiful downtown Hewlett Harbor, NY. Many thanks to YIPN President Michael Plafker of Member Brokerage in Queens, NY, Terri Vierschilling staff member of PIA of NY; and the entire YIPN Golf Committee for another incredible job! As always it was wonderful to spend a fantastic day with people like Jeff Greenfield of NGL Associates in Lynbrook, NY; David Lande of Century Coverage in Valley Stream, NY; Christina Caputo of Beaszley E&S Property; Dina Bruno of Met Life; and so many others.

While speaking of Mike Plafker, congratulations to him and his lovely bride Jane, who were married in August. Mike and Jane, we wish you tremendous love, health and happiness for many, many years! CONGRATULATIONS Mike and Jane! Also this past August was western New York’s own Alpha Insurance Group’s annual golf outing, held at the beautiful Holiday Valley Inn Resort in Ellicottville, NY. Of course it is always a pleasure and an honor to see some wonderful people like Nancy Hart of Jellison-Hart Agency in Alden, NY; Brenda Ireland of J. Edwards Agency in Panama, NY; Jan Rogers of Livingston Insurance Agency in Geneseo, NY; John Bailey of George Bailey Agency in Dryden, NY; Mick Marshall of Walker Marshall Agency in NY; and of course my very dear friend Julius Aebly of Walsh Jones Agency in West Seneca, NY. With a 70’s theme all day long, you guys sure know how to make me feel like I was back in that 4-4-2 I mentioned earlier! Thanks again for inviting me!

Well, that’s a few of what has been happening this summer, and until next time, Ciao for now!