Firefighters in Panama... Ladder Truck at Balboa Firehouse Fireman Prayer God, when I am called to duty, Whenever flames may rage; Give me strength to save some life, Whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child Before it is too late Or save an older person From the horror of that fate Enable me to be alert And hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently To put the fire out I want to fill my calling And to give the best in me To guard my every neighbor And protect his property. And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life, Please bless with your protecting My children and my wife - Author Unknown "Funny thing about firemen, night and day they're always firemen." Firefighter Movie quote from "Backdraft." Courage from a Firefighter's point of view... Very few people get the opportunity and privilege to have an impact. I like to think that each day I do my job in some small way I have changed something for the better. It doesn't need to be anything huge; when I was six it was as simple as getting my cat from the top of a tree. What equated to moments out of a normal day for this man became something extraordinary to me. Now that I've become what I admired, I've had to learn to deal with situations that are both unexpected and difficult. There have been times when I've seen something so powerful the tears begin to fall before the emotion even registers. It's during those times that I fall back on memories. The difficult experiences in my life make every other moment better than it would have been otherwise. Why do I do what I do? Because I need to find the moments that change the places and lives around me, and more importantly the moments that change me. It's what I live for. The desire to walk through each day with that ultimate goal in mind is the only fire that burns forever. Courtesy of the Foundation for a Better Life WHAT IS A FIREMAN? He's the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger. He's a guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled dreams. Yet he stands taller than most of us. He's a fireman. He puts it all on the line when the bell rings. A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men. He's a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death. He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control. He's responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again. He's a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men. He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities. When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade. He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man. He lives it. Courage Determination When you are ashore and a fire breaks out; you call 911 the fire department. Aboard ship... you are the fire department. Here the USS Nevada BB-36 makes an intermediate stop in Cuban waters before going on to Panama....a lost paradise in the heart of the universe. It has been a real pleasure sharing some of my love of Panama as I remember it. I also remember the great firefighters I had the pleasure to me.Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our hearts, and We are never, ever the same. I honestly feel that firefighters are a bit like that... Feel free to check out other pages.....you'll be glad you did! So take care and drop by again. We will all be here, God willing. Hasta la Vista.... See you on the flip side. Photo Credits: Author,Bill Fall, NYFD Files, Montana, CZ & PCC Archives and US Navy Archives Lest We Forget 9-11 Escape to Panama..... Yes! Let's do it now ...escape to my Panama at the crossroads of world commerce in the heart of the universe...Let the magic begin. The Old Canal Zone is all gone now... Memories flood my mind of living in the same building as a Navy firehouse while living in Lacona as a little kid... what a blast every time the fire alarm would sound...The Old Canal Zone is all gone now...It slipped away quietly like a tropical breeze in the night...Memories of the past are many... Images frozen in time staring back at you... In treasured countless yearbooks and photo albums... Happy days in a lost paradise...so far away now... The Old Canal Zone is all gone now... Memories can not be sold or bought... We all have an appointment somewhere in time... It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to know what is to follow...So what is all the noise... there is no enigma here...The train has left the station.... all aboard, now! ...The Old Canal Zone is all gone now... Footprints mark our passage... Town sites mark our past...Diablo, Balboa, Curundu, Cocoli... all gone now...Some say they are still there... Coal-on, Margarita, Davis... Not the same, Mon..... nothing stays the same... Solve the puzzle... write the words... Laughter is good medicine...The Old Canal Zone is all gone now... friends... much has changed for time marches on... But hey it will be fun!...So, where do we go from here? That is a good question... Can anybody really go home? ... Too Many Secrets Sing and rejoice, tra-la-la, for fortune is smiling upon you!