Terrible news.

Two men die in Gulf; red flags flying | panama, beach, red - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

RED flags flying again today;

http://www.swfd.org/beach.php

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Terrible news indeed! So sad.

I was talking with the lifeguards on their last day at BMB and we can to the consensus that if the lifeguards start in MARCH when it is almost toooo cool to even get in the water on a regular basis then it would certainly be prudent to stay through October when it is NICE and still warm. I am not saying these deaths could have been prevented, but I still think it would be a good idea to extend the season for lifeguards through October.

Thanks for posting. A reminder to all about the power of the surf.
G

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Yes, they could have been prevented by NOT entering the gulf with double red flags flying. I don't understand why people do not heed the warnings. It is very sad, and I feel very bad for their families.

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I know I don't get there often enough, but God knows I surely try, It's a magic kind of medicine that no doctor could prescribe!

I should have said "I am not saying these deaths could have been prevented by having a life guard in October." Of course it was reckless to be in the water with those conditions. I feel sorry for their families as well.

G

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So sad to hear this.....tragic

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"The only thing worse than being stood up is dating." NoHall

"If you are going to be stupid, you better be tough".
Sunspotbaby

It always amazes me when people will show up way out in the line up on a big day. We always have to tell them to be careful and often times have to help them in. This is when they get the lecture. It's real simple... A flotation device attached to your body if you must go out! This is such a tragedy!

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"You are your choices"
www.lifeonshore.com
http://bobbyjblog.com

Turns out that 20 people were pulled to safety! This completely astonishes me.

More than 20 pulled from Bay County surf; double red flags flying | surf, flags, bay - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

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Unfortunately this happened in Bay County which only has lifeguards posted at the two piers. This happened behind Pinnacle Port which is basically the last structure in Bay County excluding Camp Helen State Park.

Of course once again there was a flag flying and someone ignored it to their own demise. Not to sound callous, but after you've read several hundred of these reports it really becomes a thinning of the heard issue.

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I was just looking at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort rooftop cam in PC Beach, noticed the double red flags are still flying and the water looks a little menacing, there were people walking along the beach in that area but no one was in the water. We stay near the Pinnacle Port when we are down, it is a place we walk down to when taking our beach walk. It is a shame people won't pay attention to the flags, I won't go in the water when it is a red flag. I'm sad for the families of the two who drowned.

Two nights ago at Grayton (with red flags flying) there were two different groups of kids WAY out there in the gulf. Parents were sitting in beach chairs seemingly oblivious to the real danger their kids were in.

I was so nervous I strongly considered saying something about the drownings and the flags. But I didn't.

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The last time I spoke to parents about their kids swimming in the gulf (and an obvious rip current) they were very grateful. They didn't know about the flag flying right behind them or what it meant. I told the Dad it may not look like much, but grown men die here every year trying to rescue their kids. I would rather say something and risk them being offended than for someone to drown.

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Get Outdoors!

When I was growing up, back in the 50's, I remember the only challenges in the water were an occasional big wave that knocked you down and you got alittle too much water up your nose and swallowed alittle too much. One drowning in the past 10 years - before the double red flags - was a woman who lived north of Louisville.
If you are not a local, you aren't aware of the changes in the water over time. I believe there was a discussion about whether to put the double red flags up and whether to have sheriff's deputies drive through to have people removed BECAUSE it might affect the tourist industry.
I'm not offering the above as an excuse. Just an explanation as to why people might 'ignore' the flags. Actually we stay out of the water alot because of the grass/seaweed. Too old to deal with it:-)
Below is the obituary of one of the people who died:

M, GLENN, 46, of Louisville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 5, 2009, while vacationing in Panama City Beach, FL, with his family.

Throughout his life, Glenn spent his career in serving the public. He was a deputy sheriff with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for the past 14 years. He served on the board for the FOP Lodge 25 for six years - two years as president. Glenn served as a major with the Lincolnshire Police Department. He was also a security officer at St. Anthony Medical Center and was an Army Ranger with the 101st Airborne Division.

Glenn was a lifetime member of Northtown United Baptist Church where he joined by experience and baptism in August 1974.

Glenn's quick wit and wonderful sense of humor never left him with a lack for words. He knew exactly what to say at the right time to get a laugh. His smile lit up a room. He was the kind of man you were always happy to see and sad to see go. He lived his life to the fullest.

He loved his country, community and of course, most of all, his family. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, a wonderful uncle and beloved brother.


Throughout his life and years of service to his country and community, he has touched countless lives. For those nearest and dearest to his heart, he leaves an emptiness that no other man could fill and an ache that will never cease.

The family would like to express their unending gratitude to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, FOP Lodge 25, friends at Kindred Hospitals of Louisville and the entire staff of Bosse Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 11, 2009, from noon-8 p.m. at Bosse Funeral Home with a service provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 7 p.m. A private service and burial will be at noon Monday at Northtown United Baptist with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kentucky Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch in care of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

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