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STAN: The One Who Stayed
Not every call ends when the sirens go quiet.
In this reflective memoir, a veteran fire officer looks back on the moments that stayed — long after the uniform came off and the shift ended. Told in short, powerful chapters, these stories aren’t about flames or headlines, but about the quiet weight of leadership, the cost of responsibility, the small human moments that shape a life of service, and the unexpected arrival of a silver-eyed dog who somehow understood his pain long before he had words for it.
Written with honesty and restraint, this book respects the reader’s time — and emotional bandwidth. Each chapter stands on its own, inviting reflection rather than overwhelm.
This is not a story about everything that happened.
It’s a story about what mattered — and why it still does.
119 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 30, 2026
STAN: The One Who Stayed
This was a fast read, with a lot of meaning. Enjoyed how they helped one another with love and devotion.
This was a fast read, with a lot of meaning. Enjoyed how they helped one another with love and devotion.
September 17, 2026
Mike was a first responder for 38 years with a "local" fire department in WA state.
I had many interactions with him for several years, as he taught First Aid/CPR to employees with
Sno-Isle Regional Library system, where I was employed for 43 years.
Recently, I ran into Robin, Mike's wife, at our local Camano Island grocery store -- she had taken over the classes after Mike retired -- we were chatting, when she mentioned that Mike had written this book. Naturally, I immediately put it on hold at the Stanwood Library.
This is a "hard" read, as "short" as it is. Mike relives many of the more horrific events that he responded to during the course of his career. The memories of these events are so tragic for those involved, for Mike and for the reader one might be "tempted" to opt out of reading his story.
I would suggest that it is an important "look" into what America's First Responders go through on a daily basis, and PLEASE consider reading this book.
And the next time you bump into a first responder at your local grocery store, or wherever in your community, PLEASE take the time to extend a "Thank you for your service" to each one.
I read this as America was getting ready for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
I had many interactions with him for several years, as he taught First Aid/CPR to employees with
Sno-Isle Regional Library system, where I was employed for 43 years.
Recently, I ran into Robin, Mike's wife, at our local Camano Island grocery store -- she had taken over the classes after Mike retired -- we were chatting, when she mentioned that Mike had written this book. Naturally, I immediately put it on hold at the Stanwood Library.
This is a "hard" read, as "short" as it is. Mike relives many of the more horrific events that he responded to during the course of his career. The memories of these events are so tragic for those involved, for Mike and for the reader one might be "tempted" to opt out of reading his story.
I would suggest that it is an important "look" into what America's First Responders go through on a daily basis, and PLEASE consider reading this book.
And the next time you bump into a first responder at your local grocery store, or wherever in your community, PLEASE take the time to extend a "Thank you for your service" to each one.
I read this as America was getting ready for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews