Today on Math and Musings Franklin and I discuss Presidents’ Day and try to impress each other with some trivia about our first president. It was recorded long ago when the world, for me at least, was a lot different.

Most of this week I was in Binghamton, New York, saying goodbye to a friend. Actually, a lot of people were saying goodbye to this friend. Friends, family, fellow firefighters from hundreds of miles away who didn’t even know JR Gaudet, came to honor his ultimate sacrifice, one week after the fire that claimed his life.

Prior to this week, the most recent funeral I’d been to was at Arlington National Cemetery.

This one was ten times as powerful.

It was very fitting.

JR wouldn’t have wanted the fuss, but the pageantry was incredible. Congressmen, senators, maybe even presidents (see how I came full circle on this?)… they don’t get this kind of treatment.

(Pause.)

Well, I guess it makes sense.

Nobody likes politicians.