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BACK TO MAIN Honoring a Legacy. Lea Burt Lays Wreath at Normandy American Cemetery Lea Burt , the retired president of MCI from 1998 to 2020, recently had the profound honor of laying a wreath at the Normandy American Cemetery in France during the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings . This moment held deep personal significance for Lea, as his father, Ralph Burt Sr. , was a World War II veteran and the founder of MCI. Ralph led the company as president until his passing in 1998. ​ ​ Ralph Burt served in the 7th Armored Division , a crucial component of the Allied forces during the war. His division was equipped with tanks and specialized equipment, working in tandem with infantry divisions but under separate command structures. Ralph was part of an ordnance company responsible for retrieving and repairing damaged equipment. His team, which included mechanics, welders, and even morticians, worked tirelessly to ensure that equipment could be returned to the front lines swiftly. ​ ​ ​ Trained in the Nevada desert to confront German General Rommel, Ralph's plans shifted when Rommel was defeated before deployment. Instead, he was transported to England aboard the Queen Mary, a troop transport that thankfully avoided U-boat attacks. Ralph landed at Omaha Beach two weeks after D-Day in 1944 and was assigned to British General Montgomery’s 2nd Army Corps. His division played a significant role in the advance across northern France, famously defending the small town of St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge. Despite being outnumbered, the 7th Armored Division held its ground, delaying the German advance and allowing the 82nd Airborne to position and stop the Germans before reaching critical river crossings. ​ ​ ​ Ralph's division endured heavy losses, with 70% of their men and equipment lost. Despite the peril, Ralph and his team managed a fighting withdrawal, avoiding capture or death. His experiences during the war, including being just 15 miles from the infamous Malmedy massacre, were harrowing and shaped his resilient spirit. ​ ​ ​ Lea Burt's participation in the wreath-laying ceremony was not just a tribute to his father but also a shared moment of reverence with another tour member whose father landed at Utah Beach at the same time as Ralph Burt landed at Omaha; two weeks after D-Day. This remarkable coincidence highlights the enduring legacy of those who fought for freedom, as their children now come together to honor their sacrifices. ​ ​ ​ As we reflect on this special event, we are reminded of the courage and dedication of Ralph Burt and countless others who served during World War II. Their legacy continues to inspire and guide us, especially within the MCI family, where Ralph's values and leadership remain at the heart of our company. ​ ​ ​ Lea's wreath-laying at Normandy stands as a poignant reminder of our past and the enduring importance of honoring those who have given so much for our freedom. Load More

Top of Page Wild Wiring Hulk-Smash.... the FPB BACK TO MAIN Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is not to make the same mistake twice. Each quarter we will take a moment to review a few details where encountered a learning experience of some sort. The goal is not to point fingers or assign blame, but rather to create a space to learn from our collaborative experience, and offer resources so that if these issues ever occur in the future, you know what you are looking for, and how to *hopefully* ward of costly errors. Hulk-Smash.... the FPB. The Issue: Our crews were installing a fan-powered box on site and were in the process of elevating it for installation on the duct jack. When it reached about 10' off the ground, the jack suddenly DROPPED about 18”, which caused the FPB to fall off and SMASH to the floor! Thankfully, nobody was injured. ​ The reason this happened is because at some point before the duct jack was overloaded. When that happens it puts added stress on the mast pinching the cable. This causes slack to build up. When it can’t handle stress, it lets go and jack drops until the slack is gone. The Fix: D on’t ever overload jacks-- just because it might work once, doesn't mean it will always be that way. Know what you are lifting and your capacity. Also, don’t allow anyone else to use our jacks. Other trades are notorious for overloading them. Each duct jack costs about $4000 so it can add up fast (think like an owner), not to mention the potential injuries and damaged equipment. Smashed unit-- LOSO-5-12-2023 Duct Jack 2--LOSO--5-12-2023 Smashed unit-- LOSO-5-12-2023 1/2 LEARN: Check out our MCI STAT Course on Duct Jacks, and freshen up your knowledge on capacities! See mm. 9:01. Take the Course Hulk-Smash.... the FPB Wild Wiring The Issue: Our electrical subcontractor ran thermostat wire for a 480v unit; the transformer was a multi-tap with a 480v option. Turns out, they ran it as 277, tapping off of the 24v coil side of the contactor for the ‘neutral.’ There is not a neutral wired to this unit (note that there is no white wire on the right), so it was wired to ground. The wire hit a sharp metal edge in this unit and shorted out. Takeaways: Just because they're supposed to be the experts hired to do the job, doesn't necessarily mean they know what they're doing. Check behind your subs, and read the wiring diagram to make sure their work is correct. Check out this information from our friends at HVAC Know It All on reading HVAC wiring diagrams. Wild Wiring When you make a mistake there are only three things you should ever do about it: admit it, learn from it, and don't repeat it. Paul Bear Bryant Have you come across a learning experience? Let us know. We may have educational resources that we can share to the benefit of all. Submit Thanks for submitting!