Hopefully all valued readers of this publication enjoyed the debut article of “Behind the Lens: a Different View.” With that in mind, sit back and enjoy the second installment of presumably many.
Allow me to reiterate, these columns will not always focus on my forte of sports. You’ll experience firsthand the subject matter contains variety. It may go beyond the scope of our normal coverage area. However, paying close attention to its content should allow you to receive the message I wish to deliver.
My intent in the following paragraphs isn’t promotional, nor does it offer any form of nepotism. Reading on, the previous sentence will become clear.
As adults and parents perhaps at times we don’t pay close enough attention to detail when children are speaking. After the digestion of this content, maybe, just maybe, your perspective will change.
This article deals with dreams, aspirations and self-worth, beginning at a very young age, and reaching what’s deemed unattainable.
Adolescents, teenagers or seasoned adults can utilize the same philosophy. When told you’ll never be able to accomplish whatever you’re attempting, prove the naysayers wrong. Go out and do it.
Young or old, focus on the aforementioned and set your sights on the future. That’s my underlying message in this article.
Most young children of any age will often tell the entire listening world what they wish to become as a grown-up. Such examples include doctor, lawyer, dentist, firefighter, police officer, truck driver or even president. Endless is the ever-growing, often-changing list, presumably on a daily basis.
Unfathomable are these words uttered by a then-8-year-old child: I want to be a sports photographer, fireman, medic, constable, police officer and K-9 Officer. Imagine, at age 9, beginning your path to adulthood and eventually attaining all of the above. What happened to being a child, growing up slowly and having fun?
I wish to share one such story of a young man who mouthed those words early in his life. Hard work, dedication, perseverance and strength led to triumphantly conquering and achieving every goal spoken.
There are close ties to this publication along with its predecessor, Gazette 2.0, as both played a key role in what was then a teenager’s master plan for the future.
Unlocking the mystery, it’s my pleasure to introduce or reintroduce to many, Michael Longo. A young man who 13 years earlier told his family what he wanted to be when he grew up, then made it reality.
The path to his future began taking shape at age 9 when he became a member of the Baden Fire Department as a Junior Firefighter. Rest assured, at that age Michael didn’t dash into any burning structures or untangle twisted metal with power tools on an accident call. He was simply being prepped for things to follow, quickly absorbing as much knowledge as his adolescent brain could handle. Each passing year led to more knowledge of the inner workings of the fire and EMS service along with more responsibilities.
Juggling advancing school requirements with learning/expanding photography skills — along with the fire service duties — another opportunity presented itself via a simple call. This particular call led to another goal, employment as a sports photographer with this publication’s predecessor, Gazette 2.0. Faithfully he covered the local high school and college sports scenes, eventually moving on to a local daily publication.
Continuing his education in the Media Arts department at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Michael continued down the path he set, refining his photographic and computer skills.
Prior to graduation with his sights set on another goal, Michael entered the political arena, opting to run for his borough’s open position of Pennsylvania State Constable. Not being age 18 for the primary election, a write-in campaign was staged with hopes of winning a spot on the ballot in the general election after turning the required age. That came to fruition in time for the November general election.
Capturing victory by several hundred votes another goal was achieved. Passing all required schooling after being elected, he was ready to hit the streets as Pennsylvania’s newest state constable.
Graduating high school with honors was not the end of Michael’s schooling, according to the plan he devised.
Next up, classroom and field training for his Firefighter I – Pro Board Certification. Long strenuous hours of training with numerous scenarios in every type of weather imaginable would bring most to their knees. Not this young man, who passed with flying colors and became one of Pennsylvania’s newest state-certified professional firefighters.
With all these accomplishments to date, one would think this man would be done with training and school. Incorrect, as he continues to forge ahead and moving on to further reach his goals.
More countless hours of classroom and hands-on training led to another notch in Michael’s life goals. Pennsylvania’s Department of Health offered the setting with testing to become a certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). You guessed it, a passing grade resulted in state certification.
You may wonder, what more is left for this young man to accomplish. All this schooling and training while being gainfully employed.
Unfortunately if your answer was that he is finished, nothing could be further from the truth.
As unbelievable as it sounds, Michael planted himself firmly on educational ground one more time. Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) offered the setting at its Police Training Academy. Ten months of intense, scrutinizing training in all aspects of law enforcement was next up. That required working during the day until 4 p.m. then rushing home and being at class from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday with some Saturdays thrown in.
After 10 agonizing months of scenarios including driving skills, physical training, being shot with a Taser and pepper sprayed, Michael seemed undaunted but understandably exhausted upon completion.
Test day appeared on the calendar next, and a passing grade would afford him the opportunity to be a part of all the pomp and circumstances associated with graduation.
Do you have your thoughts channeled to believing this man, then age 21, would succumb to all this testing? If your answer was “Yes, he would,” sorry — you lose. Allow me to present Pennsylvania’s newest Municipal Police Officer (MPO).
You may be wondering, will this ever end? What’s left for this man? Answer, one more hurdle, eight more weeks until completion.
The streets offer at times a less than desirable setting for anyone in law enforcement. You always have a partner whom you trust with your life — now imagine your new partner is of the four-legged variety.
After eight painstaking weeks of intense, grueling training scenarios and classroom testing, this young man’s last goal — for now — was achieved. Patrolman Michael Longo and his partner K-9 Officer Pitt are state-certified as part of a working municipal K-9 unit.
On the surface this article may seem a lot to digest, with each individual reader processing it differently. Perfectly fine, as we all formulate our own opinions in every aspect of life.
Early in this article I wrote the intent was not to be promotional or tout the accomplishments of one individual. Yes, he is my son. Yes, he worked for the predecessor to this publication and I have no doubt if needed by us now, he would grab camera gear and help.
Sitting here drafting this article, in essence perhaps the message is two-fold. If you were unable to decipher its meaning, allow me.
As adults/parents, pay close attention to what our children or any child is saying regardless of age, no matter how far-fetched it may seem. It’s been said many times, “Out of the mouths of babes.” Second, if you have hopes, dreams and desires, don’t let your age or any individual stand in your way of achieving it.
Time passes seemingly at warp speed. We don’t have a crystal ball. We can’t predict the future. We can simply support it.
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