At the February 2 membership meeting, recently retired Brother Jim O'Donnell spoke about his 26-year career as a Park Service Ranger.   He began by referencing and thanking Monsignor Malone for blessing his medal of St. Michael, the patron saint of Law Enforcement Officers.  Jim has worn his medal throughout his tenure as a ranger.

As a park ranger he spent time in New York as well as several locations in the West, including Montana.  However, his latest service years were spent in Hot Springs National Park, which has seven rangers.

Jim O'Donnell

Jim related the dramatic change that occurred in park ranger responsibilities about five months after the 9/11 attacks when they were asked to assist with security at the Winter Olympics.  Many of the national icons are located in the national park system, and they needed to be protected from potential damage or destruction by terrorists intent upon striking the United States at highly visible and symbolic targets. 

When the Homeland Security Office was established, the park rangers were incorporated into its strategy, and Special Events Teams were trained to act in a manner similar to armed forces SWAT teams.  In order to meet the diverse demands across the country, park rangers, regardless of their home base, were called upon to assist in many different locations.

Since Hot Springs National Park was able to operate safely with fewer rangers than the seven assigned there, Jim did a lot of traveling to various locations where assistance was needed.  This gave him an opportunity to travel and work in a variety of environments which he enjoyed doing.   

Thanks, Jim, for sharing your insights about the life of a park ranger.  Welcome back.  Best wishes as you move into a new phase of your life.