Lots of little boys want toy fire trucks for their birthday.
Jason Barter got the real thing on Tuesday.
The Morristown Fire Department, leading a parade of fire trucks from the town, Morris Township and Cedar Knolls, lowered a bucket platform a socially distant six feet from the Barters’ front porch to deliver pizza, ice cream cake and toys to the freshly minted 3-year-old.
Jason’s dad, Morristown Fire Captain Philip Barter, is in isolation with his wife Christina and their four kids, ages 9 months to 6 years.
Christina, an intensive care nurse at Morristown Medical Center, is recovering from COVID-19. Tuesday’s shiny spectacle cheered the whole family — and especially Jason.
“He was jumping in circles and screaming” with delight, Philip said. “It’s going to be hard to top this one.”
SPECIAL DELIVERY: Jason Barter, 3, gets the birthday of a lifetime. Video courtesy of Lindsay Doyle:
Christina started feeling much better on Monday, after four days of fever and fatigue, her husband said.
“It really took a lot out of her.”
Theirs is a cautionary tale about how pervasive and dangerous the coronavirus is, Philip said.
Before she got ill, Christina was working long hours at the hospital, “almost living there every day.” She followed proper precautions against the virus, Philip said. But even for professionals wearing personal protective equipment, “you never know who has it.”
“Let this be a public safety message: Heed the warnings and stay home. Let’s try and flatten this curve,” Philip said.
His family has been overwhelmed by the public’s support. Neighbors in the Barters’ Morris Township community have brought them enough food for two weeks, he said.
“We couldn’t ask for any more from anyone,” except, maybe, for some sunshine so the kids can go outside and play in the backyard, Philip said.
The parade of fire trucks, including balloons and decorations, was organized by Firefighter Robert Bendel, with help from fellow firefighters Gerald Beston, Joe SanFelice, Marshal Babington, Omar White and Tom Dennehy — all members of Philip’s shift — with the blessing of Fire Chief Robert Flanagan.
The men came on their day off, and used reserve fire vehicles, Philip said.
An extraordinary gesture, for sure. Yet the sentiment was hardly surprising to Philip and Christina, who grew up in firefighting families.
Christina’s father, Lou Windt, is a longtime volunteer firefighter in Morris Township. Philip’s brother David Barter is a Morristown firefighter and their dad, also named David, is the former fire chief.
“I’m so lucky to be part of the fire service,” Philip said. “I’m blessed.”
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Phil, wishing all the best for you guys! Even after 39 years, it’s still so awesome to see the Morristown Fire Department Family taking care of one another. This was an amazing gesture by your crew. Stay healthy my friends.
That was amazing thing that these firemen did. Talk about Compassion.
This story warmed my heart and reminded me that Morristown is such a special place because its filled with special people and organizations like our wonderful fire department.
As a nearly life-long resident of Morris Township, I am so proud of our community and residents. Although I have now moved to SE NC in retirement, my heart will always be in Morristown. It is a wonderful community with so many residents contributing to the community’s well being. The Windt family contributes so much themselves. I have witnessed this firsthand. Christina is such a devoted mother and nurse, I’m very glad that she is getting better. Her mother, Paula, works in the school district where I also worked for 26 years.
She is a wonderfully devoted person always striving to create a positive atmosphere for the kids she works with. I am not as familiar with the contributions of the male members of the family, but it seems to me that this devotion to community is a family value.
I thank them all for their commitment.