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  • Lt. Jim McCrady

Lt. Jim McCrady

2 years ago

in In Memory of Larry LaMotte: Be Safe at the Beach on odd time signatures
Sandee,

I do not know if you remember me, but we spoke on the phone once immediately after you family's tragic loss. I was also on "Good Morning America" with you the following week. I just wanted you to know that we, here in the United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region, have never stopped fighting to stop the useless and preventable drownings that occur in rip currents.

To this day, I can never get through telling the story of your husband's passing without getting emotional. Two weeks ago I was asked to do another interview with ABC News for GMA again. Unfortunately, it was because of another rip current drowning on a beach without surf-trained lifeguards. And as I prepared for the interview, and read the news accounts of this drowning, I realized that the similarities were uncanny to the events that transpired almost four years ago to the day with Larry.

A father swimming into a rip current to save his 13-year-old son. The boy is rescued, but the father dies in the process.

And as irony would have it, the cameraman and the interviewer for the ABC News crew both knew Larry personally.

I don't know if you know this or not, but your husband's drowning has had a tremendous positive impact on beach safety in our region. It is because of the national news his death garnered that we have been able successfully help implement ocean rescue programs in South Walton County, Destin, Okaloosa County, and help upgrade the service provided in Pensacola Beach. Hundreds of people have been saved at these beaches since 2003.

But as you know, there is always work to do. Since May 3rd, we have had 15 ocean drowning in our region mostly due to rip currents. One yesterday near Gulf Shores, Alabama, and one the day before in Destin, Florida. It never ends, and the interviews keep coming. But Larry LaMotte has not been forgotten, and his life continues to impact people that have never had the pleasure of meeting him. Like me.

Jim McCrady
Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue Lieutenant
President United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region
Work: (954)828-4577 Cell: (954)804-1599
FAX: (954)467-0238
Work E-mail: JMcCrady@fortlauderdale.gov
Home E-mail: JMcCrady5@comcast.net
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