and here it is, right on cue

A christmas update-like letter from our World Trade Center friend.
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"My friend,
I thought you might want to hear what we have been up to. I think you'll like what we have done with the legend of my little man. Did we ever send you a book (Bear Heart of a Hero)? We are still at it . We hope you are safe and your carreer is going well (what does Maritime mean?). We are writing a new book "Bear's Navy" (the military designation for our unit).

The Bear Search & Rescue Foundation www.bearsearchandrescue.org established by the law firm of Proskauer Rose in the name of America's most decorated rescue dog played a key role in the rescue operations in Louisiana.
Our actions are ultimately responsible for 11,000 people being alive in Louisiana today. You may also enjoy knowing that the Foundations last major course in New York Harbor for twenty six agencies June 4-6 was "Responding to the Five Hundred Year Flood".
The Foundation deployed 27 teams in Louisiana (that it had funded or trained the last four years) they averaged 220 rescues per team and hundreds of animals. The special boat teams we led for the 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne (with 45 boats supplied by the Foundation) contributed 3rd Brigades rescue of just under 6000 people with boats and boat crews provided by Bear Search & Rescue Foundation.
We came with overwhelming force (30 Boats, and acquired more) we served the best large unit in the Army (82nd Airborne), we supplied boat crews, GPS, waders, depth sounders and communications for HQ 3rd Brigade (not to mention late night pizza). As a unit we made just over 6000 rescues and transports. The Foundation deployed 22 other teams outside the ones that assisted the Army. They made almost 5000 rescues. We funded most of these units the last four years. If we had saved just one person it would have all been worth it. We rescued everything that lived.......Bear lives in the heart of every soldier and rescue person who goes out from his personal safety and lives, and sometimes dies by the motto of all who serve "so that others may live".
In all 11,000 people and hundreds of animals are alive today because of the actions of the Foundation assisting both the Airborne and all the teams. We also started the policy of rescuing anything that lived. You'll love the attached story and the second attachment with its simple country lawyer quality that got around the whole FEMA system that minimizes rescue. I gave orders that anything that lived be rescued!
What we did in Louisiana made all we did at the WTC like a pebble on the beach, but it set the stage for greater good.
When I called Gov Blanco’s of Louisiana’s office to deploy teams, I gave my name, rank, the units, it all meant nothing to her, then out of desperation I said "do you remember Bear from the World Trade Center" and she said "I read the book, I know who you are........how many units and when can they be here?"
I knew that Bear would become a legend, I wanted to turn that legend into a legacy to keep people (and now animals) alive. Bear lives!

Scott Shields
732 713 6***"
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well, now that it's been brought to my attention, he does sound like he's full of shit.
but golley, that's a lot of numbers.

b