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.
Author Unknown A Fireman's
Prayer
When I am called to duty, God, wherever
flame 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 your will, I am to
lose my life,
Please Bless with your protecting hand,
my children
and my wife.
-Author Unknown WHY A FIREFIGHTER? At
various
times during our careers,
we all are asked, "Why do you choose to
be
firefighters?" The answers you may
receive are as
numerous as the stars in the sky.
However, there is
one explanation that any firefighter
will confirm
with a modest smile and a nod.
We've watched the faces of family
members light up
with delight, as a rescued pet is
produced from
beneath our coat.
We've also seen the anguish, as they
survey the
results of the ravages of fire upon
their cherished
belongings.
We've been caught up in the excitement
of the
children, as we help them climb aboard
the engines,
laughing at the sight of them trying on
the coat and
boots that are a sign of our trade.
We've also experienced the anger and
frustration of
having to carry them from smoldering
buildings,
wondering what they may have become, and
may have
accomplished.
We've had arms wrapped around us,
expressions of
gratitude for having been there when
needed.
We've wrapped our arms around victims,
shielding
them beneath our coats, as the twisted
remains of
their vehicle are pried away.
We have felt the fear of those we serve,
as we do
our best to remove them from harms way.
We have felt our own fear, as we venture
into harms
way, to rescue those we serve.
We share a sense of pride and
accomplishment among
all members for those we are able to
save, because
they are our neighbors.
We share in the sorrow for those we are
unable to
save, because they are our neighbors.
We choose to be firefighters, because
you are our
neighbor. This is not merely a job we
perform, this
is what we believe in.
Firefighting is not just a profession,
it is a way
of life.
Michael Wade Newberry A Firefighter's Wife
A special kind of woman: a cut above the
rest
That's A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE, rating her
among the
best.
How many goodbyes are shouted, without a
fond
embrace,
As duty steals her man, for the danger
he must face.
How many meals are ruined--or, tender
moments
disturbed,
By the wail of a distant signal,
sparking loyalty
unswerved.
It's a devil of a job, for an angel like
this,
Who...for the love of her man, must
forsake that
kiss.
She can run a garden tractor; even paint
a room in
need,
How she can stretch a dollar is a
miracle indeed.
She's mother, lover, chauffer and nurse,
A living symbol of; "for better or for
worse."
Rich is a man, reaping his rewards in
life,
Who chose to be the other half of A
FIREFIGHTER'S
WIFE.
HE LIVES IT!
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