IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOST!!!

This is Dedicated to all the Police Officers,
Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics,
Emergency Flight Crews, Hospital Police, Security Officers
and all Civil Servants who deal with the tragedies of life and death!!
The saddest of all, being those that are children,and could have been prevented!!
And if you happen to meet one of these dedicated people
as you go about your daily lives!!
Be sure to thank them for all of their services
to saving and protecting our loved ones!!
Make their efforts feel worthwhile!!

*************
I want to extend a standing ovation
to all of the men and women who have
and still do fight the fight
and brave the elements so we can live in a safe,free
and hopefully crime free country!!!
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
LAND OF THE FREE
HOME OF THE BRAVE!!

A Day FDNY And The Fire Service Will Never Forget!!

September 11, 2001

We Thank God today for those who survived!!
We send up silent prayers for those who died!!
Is a day of Tragedy, a day of Fears,
Such utter devastation not seen in years!!

I sit in shock, staring in disbelief,
What I see before me, so much grief!!
I look at my child, I look in his eyes,
He does not understand, I can only cry!!

What has happened? What else will there be?
Is this all We leave for our children to see?
I sit and wonder, tears on my face,
Dear God, what has happened to the human race?

Life changes today, as it has many times,
But for better or worse, I cannot decide!!
Through tears and fears, I know in my heart,
No matter what changes, My Faith will not depart!!

As I hold my child, and hug Him tight,
I wonder inside what He will dream tonight!!
I send up a silent prayer for Him and all,
God, give the Children strength, don't let them fall!!

I write this today, in sadness and tears,
My Faith tested as it has not been in years!!
But My Faith will hold tight,
And I ask one thing of You tonight!!

As You sit, safe in Your homes,
Take just a moment and remember those gone!!
Take time tonight for those You Love,
And send a Thank You to Him Above!!

~ Author Unknown ~
Pulled from alt.firefighter news group 9/14/01

NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS!!!

As most of us stopped, to see the fire in the sky!!
You were in your trucks, passing us by!!
As the unthinkable horror, made us shed a tear!!
You entered the building in your turnout gear!!
As we sat in panic, praying for no more!!
You were climbing the stairs, floor by floor!!
We sat confused, awed, and in strife!!
While you were looking, hoping, and praying for life!!
And as the building came down, we feared you would too!!
But GOD gave you wings. . .and instead you flew!!

WITH COURAGE IN THEIR HEARTS!!

With courage and with honor
They came from all around
Wearing hearts upon their sleeves
With dedication bound!!

Troops of angels gathered
Their wings on earth expand
Sacrificing life and limb
To help their fellowman!!

Every single one of them
With hands extended forth
Showing such emotion
With tears in eyes they fought!!

Risking every danger
No fear as they stood tall
Each one in life a human chain
Creating strongest wall!!

Reaching in the darkness
To try to set those free
Trapped within the rubble
They fought this fight fiercely!!

Danger loomed around them
They fought with all their might
To bring each one to safety
To flash a guiding light!!

Hearts of those who answered
Screams of fear were heard
Giving hands that show the world
Love's chain of life anchored!!

To every man and woman
Who had so much to give
To those who died courageously
In honor did they live!!

How can we ever thank them
Brave Hearts that shine so true
Giving up their greatest gift
With breath in life they drew!!

Hearts of love are gathered
Within our special prayers
Heroes of unspoken words
Each one of you revered!!

All of you who helped us
On this dark and bleakest day
Each one of you live in our hearts
Your names won't fade away!!

Remembrances treasured
With battle fought fiercely
Brought forth with such honor
Your badge of bravery!!

Upon the clouds of heaven
Brave spirits now arrive
With them a host of Seraphim
Brought to God with pride!!

Come to Me My Children
Your souls now in My Hands
Your light will shine a beacon
That sparkles on the Land!!

~ By Francine Pucillo ~

I got this in my email from a very dear sweet friend of mine!!
THANKS CHARLIE!!!. . . *HUGS*
This poem will surely tug at your heart strings!!
It's very touching!! . . .and in spite of the horrible tragedy
we must never forget the children of those lives lost in this tragic terrorist attack!!
They are the innocents, caught up in an adult world!!
And they have to try to deal in their own way and at such a young age,
of recovering and learning to live without a parent
or loved one so quickly snatched from their lives, forever!!
MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!
It's a long poem, but please take the time to read it!!
It's well worth it!!
Have a Kleenex ready,
It's a tear-jerker!!. . . ENJOY!!!

DADDY'S PINK ROSE!!

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow!!
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go!!

But her Mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home!!
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone!!

But she was not afraid,
she knew just what to say!!
What to tell her classmates,
of why he wasn't there today!!

But still her Mother worried,
for her to face this day alone!!
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her Daughter home!!

But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all!!
About a Dad she never sees,
a Dad who never calls!!

There were Daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet!!
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats!!

One by one the teacher called,
a student from the class!!
To introduce their Daddy,
as seconds slowly passed!!

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare!!
Each of them was searching,
for a man who wasn't there!!

"Where's her Daddy at??"
she heard a boy call out!!
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout!!

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a Daddy say,
"Looks like another Deadbeat Dad,
too busy to waste his day!!"

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom!!
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on!!

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak!!
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique!!

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away!!
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day!!

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know!!
All about my Daddy,
and how much he loves me so!!

He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike!!
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite!!

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone!!
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone!!

'Cause my Daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart!!
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart!!"

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest!!
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress!

And from somewhere in the crowd of Dads,
her Mother stood in tears!!
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years!!

For she stood up for the love,
of a man not in her life!!
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right!!

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd!!
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud!!

"I love my Daddy very much,
he's my shining star!!
And if he could, he'd be here,
but Heaven's just too far!!

You see he was a Fireman,
and died just this past year!!
When airplanes hit the towers,
and taught Americans to fear!!

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away!!"
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day!!

And to her Mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise!!
A room full of Daddies and Children,
all starting to close their eyes!!

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside!!
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side!!

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out!!
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt!!

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed!!
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose!!

And a Child was blessed,
if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining bright star!!
And given the gift of believing,
that Heaven is never too far!!

~ UnKnown ~

And let us not forget the veterans of past wars!!
They fought for our freedom
and I'm sure would do it again if given the chance!!!
I received these in my email or found them on the net
and thought it appropriate to include them here!!
Alot of the men and women who served our country in past wars,
are either homeless or long forgotten as heroes
who fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom!!
And now we are involved in a New War!!
A new generation is fighting for our freedom against terrorism!!
During these coming holidays or any time
keep these people in your thoughts and prayers!!
And remember they deserve our many thanks also!!
They are and always will be our biggest *HEROES*!!!
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!

RAGGED OLE FLAG!!

I walked through a county courthouse square,
and on a park bench an old man was sittin’ there!!
I said, "your old courthouse is kind of run down!!"
He said, "naw, that’ll do for our little town!!"
I said, "your old flagpole is kind of leaned a little bit!!
And that’s a ragged ol’ flag you’ve got hanging on it!!"
He said. "have a seat," and I sat down!!

He said, "Is this the first time you’ve come to our little town??"
I said, "I think it is."He said, “I don’t like to brag,
but we’re kind of proud of that ragged ol’ flag!!”
“You see we got a little hole in that flag there,
when Washington brought it across the Delaware!!
And it got powder burns the night Francis Scott Key
sat up watching and writing, “Oh say can you see. . . . .”
It got a little rip in New Orleans,
with Pakenham and Jackson tugging at its seams!!
It almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag, but she waived on though!!
It got cut by a sword at Chancellorsville, got cut again at Shiloh Hill!!
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and Bragg,
and the south wind blew hard on that ragged ol’ flag!!
On Flanders Field in World War I, she took a bad hit from a Bertha gun!!
She turned blood red in World War II,
she hung limp and low by the time that one was through!!
She was in Korea and Viet Nam,
she went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam!!
The Native American Indian, the Black, the Yellow, the White,
all shed red blood for the Stars and Stripes!!
And in her own good land here she’s been abused,
she’s been burned, dishonored, denied, refused!!
And the very Government for which she stands,
is scandalized throughout the land!!
And she’s getting threadbare and she’s wearing kind of thin,
but she’s in pretty good shape for the shape she’s in!!
She’s been through the fire before, and she can take a whole lot more!!
So we raise her up every morning and bring her down slow every night,
we don’t let her touch the ground and we fold her up right!!
On second thought, I guess I do like to brag,
‘cause I’m mighty proud of that ragged ol’ flag!!

~ UnKnown ~

I received permission from Kal to use his poem
on my site and I am very grateful to him for that!!
Here's his copyrighted version as he wishes it to look!!
I hope you enjoy this poem as much as me!!
It comes straight from the heart!!
THANKS KAL!! :-)

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES!!!

I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine
I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time
I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight
I don't want to tell it like it is, I want to tell them lies

You didn't put their seat belts on, you feel you killed your kids
I want to say you didn't ... but in a way, you did
You pound your fists into my chest, you're hurting so inside
I want to say you'll be OK, I want to tell you lies

You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes
I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind
You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes
I want to say that yes he will, I want to tell you lies

I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke
If you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke
Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive
Don't make me tell you they're all dead, I want to tell you lies

I want to say she'll be OK, you didn't take her life
I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife
You thought you didn't drink too much, you thought that you could drive
I don't want to say how wrong you were, I want to tell you lies

You only left her for a moment, it happens all the time
How could she have fell from there? You thought she couldn't climb
I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine
I don't want to say she's paralyzed, I want to tell you lies

I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain
Because he thought that it'd be cool to try to beat that train
I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life
I want to say that he'll forget, I want to tell him lies

You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun
Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done
You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five
I don't want to say she wont see six, I want to tell you lies

He fell into the pool when you just went to grab the phone
It was only for a second that you left him there alone
If you let the damn phone ring perhaps your boy would be alive
But I don't want to tell you that, I want to tell you lies

The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn
And we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned
Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, as they slowly burned alive
But I don't want to say those words, I want to tell you lies

But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through
And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you,
You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine
I hope you understand, sometimes, I have to tell you lies

~ Kal The Rebel ~

(c) 1998 Copyrighted to Kalvere.
Please do not reproduce without author's permission.
Kalvere is from Minnesota, and would welcome any comments at the
following email address: Kal The Rebel @ aol.com

Used with permission!!
If you see this poem anywhere
without the author's name and copyright information,
it is being used without the author's knowledge or consent!!

And the next time you hear a siren in the distance,
Don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families!!
Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day!!
And do the best they can to save someone that is loved!!
We never see the tears of these brave men and women, but God does!!!

WHEN GOD MADE POLICE OFFICERS!!!

When the Lord was creating Police Officers,
He was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the requirements on this order??
A Police Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls,
enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle their uniform."

"They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout,
cover a homicide scene that night,
canvas the neighborhood for witnesses,
and testify in court the next day."

"They have to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on black coffee and half-eaten meals,
and they have to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands . . . no way!!"

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord,
"it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have!!"

"That's on the standard model??" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before they ask,
"May I see what's in there, sir??"
(when they already know and wish they'd taken that accounting job)
"Another pair here in the side of their head for their partner's safety,
and another pair of eyes here in front
so they can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say,
"You'll be alright, ma'am," when they know it isn't so!!

"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a
patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the Police Officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord, "it can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes,
recite Miranda warnings in its sleep,
detain, investigate, search,
and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes
five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop. . .
and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control.
They can deal with crime scenes painted in hell,
coax a confession from a child abuser,
comfort a murder victim's family,
and then read in the daily paper
how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Police Officer.
"There's a leak," she pronounced,
"I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions,
for fallen comrades,
for commitment to that funny
piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.

WHEN GOD MADE FIREFIGHTERS!!!

When the Lord was creating Firefighters,
he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"Your doing a lot of fiddling around on this one!!"

The Lord said "Have you read the specification on this person?"

Firefighters have to be able to go for hours fighting fires
or tending to a person that the usual every day person would never touch,
while putting in the back of their mind the circumstances.
They have to be able to move at a second's notice
and not think twice of what they are about to do,
no matter what danger.
They have to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on half-eaten meals,
and they must have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems, " said the Lord,
"it's the three pairs of eyes a Firefighter has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through the fire
and where they and their fellow Firefighters should fight the fire next.
Another pair here in the side of the head
to see their fellow Firefighters and keep them safe.
And another pair of eyes in the front
so that they can look for the victims caught in the fire that need their help."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can carry
a 250 pound man down a flight of stairs and to safety from a burning building,
and can feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the Firefighter very slowly, "Can it think?"
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred fires;
and can recite procedures in their sleep
that are needed to care for a person until they reach the hospital.
And all the while they have to keep their wits about themselves.
This Firefighter also has phenomenal personal control.
They can deal with a scene full of pain and hurt,
coaxing a child's mother into letting go of the child
so that they can care for the child in need.
And still they rarely get the recognition for a job well done from anybody,
other than from fellow Firefighters."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Firefighter.
"There's a leak," she pronounced!!
"Lord, it's a tear." "What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's a tear from bottled-up emotions for fallen comrades.
A tear for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American Flag.
It's a tear for all the pain and suffering they have encountered.
And it's a tear for their commitment to caring for and saving lives of their fellow man!"
"What a wonderful feature Lord, you're a genius" said the angel.

The Lord looked somber and said "I didn't put it there."

~ Unknown ~

STANDING IN THE LINE OF DUTY!!!

*************

You try to do what you know is right,
Protect and serve; fight the good fight!!
Duty calls when you get the call!!
For what you do, we thank you all!!

We thank you all for the risks you take,
Becoming targets daily, for our sake!!

We thank you all for watching as we sleep,
For waking every day, your watch to keep!!

Standing proud in the line of duty,
Courage calls the brave to arms!!
You wear the badge that marks your heart!!
Standing in the line of fire for the call of duty!!

You have our thanks, though silent we may be!!
It takes some time for the secure to see!!
Your presence makes us feel safe to walk the street,
Without fearing the people that we may meet!!
For that we are forever in your debt;

You, our protectors, though we may never have met!!
We thank you all for what you do,
And know that we have pride and respect for you!!
We thank you all for watching as we sleep,
For waking every day, your watch to keep!!
Standing proud in the line of duty,
Courage calls the brave to arms!!
You wear the badge that marks your heart!!
Standing in the line of fire for the call of duty!!

~ Mike Birkes ~
~ January 30, 1998 ~
~ Written in the memory of Officer Colleen Waibel,
Portland Police Department,
killed in the line of duty, 1-27-1998 ~

ME . . . THE LOUSY COP!!!

*************

Well, Mr. Citizen, I guess you've got me figured out. I seem to fit neatly
into the category you placed me in. I'm stereotyped, characterized,
standardized, classified, grouped and always typical. I'm the Lousy Cop!

Unfortunately, the reverse isn't true. I can never figure you out.
From birth you teach your children that I'm a bogeyman and they are shocked when
they learn and identify me with my traditional enemy, the criminal!

You raise cain about the guy who cuts you off in traffic,
but let me catch you doing the same thing and it's picking on you.
You know all the traffic laws, but you never got the single ticket you deserved.

You accuse me of coddling juveniles, until I catch your kid doing something.
Then it's "badge happy."
You take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day
but point me out as a loafer if you see me having just one cup.

You pride yourself on your polished manners
but think nothing of interrupting my meal at noon with your troubles.
You shout "foul" if you observe me driving en route to an emergency call,
but literally raise hell if I take more than 10 seconds responding to your call.

You're a witty conversationalist,
but you bore me stiff at social gatherings
with your vast knowledge of law enforcement.
You call it "Part of My Job" if someone strikes me,
but it's Police Brutality if I strike back.

You wouldn't think of telling your dentist how to pull a decayed tooth,
or your doctor how to take out your appendix,
but you are always willing to give me a few pointers on law enforcement.

You talk to me in a manner,
and use language that would assure
a bloody nose from anybody else,
but you expect me to stand and take it without batting an eye.

You cry "Something has to be done about all this crime," but,
of course you can't be bothered with getting involved.
And what about the guy that works all night making sure you didn't forget
to lock up your business or home when you left on vacation?

You've got no use for me at all,
but of course,
it's okay if I change a tire for your wife,
or deliver your child in the back seat of my patrol car
on the way to the hospital,
save your son's life with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,
or maybe work many hours overtime to find your lost daughter.

So, Mr. Citizen, you stand there on your soap box, and rant and rave about
the way I do my job, calling me every name in the book, but never stop for a
minute to think that your property, your family or maybe your life might
depend on one thing, ME or one of my buddies!!!

~ Unknown ~

THE SOLDIER!!!

*************

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press!!

It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech!!

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate!!

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial!!

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag!!!"

~ Unknown ~

LOVE FOR THE JOB!!!

*************

Every once in a while,
I have to sit and think!!
Is this the call that's gonna do it,
push me to the brink??

I know I truly love my job,
and you put me to the test!!
But even every now and then,
I deserve a little rest!!

We put our lives on the line,
to make life safer for you!!
Do we ever hear a thanks,
maybe on an occasion or two!!

You do not know what we see,
you haven't got a clue!!
You see it in the papers,
or some times on the news!!

We live our lives day to day,
and have to watch our backs!!
You don't even try to help us,
you let us slip into the cracks!!

If we didn't do our jobs,
and keep you out of harms way!!
This country would be a mess,
and you'd really have to pray!!

We are not the bad guys,
we should be dressed in white!!
We are the ones you call,
when you get into a fight!!

This is the job I chose,
and I took an oath for you!!
So every time I leave my home,
please say a prayer or two!!

So when you see a police officer,
they're the one that's dressed in blue!!
They may be trying to save your life,
or be there to comfort you!!

Unfortunately there may come a day,
when my life could end!!
Will you even miss me,
or know I was someone's friend!!

Will you help raise my children,
teach them right from wrong!!
Will you tell them all about me,
please tell them to be strong!!

Tell them that I love them,
and I'll always be right here!!
They may not be able to see me,
but they'll know that I do care!!

Tell them I was doing my job,
that they put me to the test!!
That what I did was to save a life,
and now I'm laid to rest!!

My job will never be done,
even from heaven I will see!!
this is the job that I love,
it is the only one for me!!

So the next time you see a Police Officer,
tell them they are great,
Because the next time you may see them,
they could be standing at heavens gates!!

~ Officer Chuck Stemler ~
~ Pittsburgh Police Department ~
~ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ~

There are men and women everywhere,
They serve us every way!!
They take their lives in danger,
To save us everyday!!

They are, our public servants,
We thank you very much!!
They never think a moment!!
of the danger they are in!!

They give their life for you and me,
They truly are, our friends!!

They're our police and fire fighters,
Our EMS as well, they give so much,
To all of us,
They work hard every day!!

We could not live without you,
We thank you and we pray,
That God will keep you safe,
Out of harm's way!!
To wake up with your families,
to see another day!!

We honor you and praise you,
In cities and in towns!!
From New York where you died,
To save so many lives!

All across our Nation,
In tribute and in praise!!
We thank you for your service,
We honor you today!!

For all the brave ones fallen,
that died and went away,
You will always be remembered,
And honored every day!!
We thank you for your service,
We honor you today!!

~ Diane Huggins ~

I WISH YOU COULD!!!

*************

I wish you could see the sadness of a business man as his livelihood
goes up in flames or that family returning home, only to find their
house and belongings damaged or destroyed!!

I wish you could know what it is like to search a burning bedroom for
trapped children, flames rolling above your head, your palms and knees
burning as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the
kitchen beneath you burns!!

I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3 A.M. as I check her
husband of forty years for a pulse and find none!! I start CPR anyway,
hoping against hope to bring him back, knowing intuitively it is too
late!! But wanting his wife and family to know everything possible was done!!

I wish you could know the unique smell of burning insulation, the
taste of soot-filled mucus, the feeling of intense heat through your
turnout gear, the sound of flames crackling, and the eeriness of being
able to see absolutely nothing in dense smoke. . ."sensations that I have
become too familiar with!!"

I wish you could understand how it feels to go to school or work in
the morning after having spent most of the night, hot and soaking wet
at a multiple alarm fire!!

I wish you could read my mind as I respond to a building fire,
'Is this a false alarm or a working, breathing fire?? How is the building
constructed? What hazards await me?? Is anyone trapped??' or to an EMS
call, 'What is wrong with the patient?? Is it minor or
life-threatening? Is the caller really in distress or is he waiting
for us with a 2x4 or a gun??'

I wish you could be in the emergency room as the doctor pronounces
dead the beautiful little five-year old girl that I have been trying
to save during the past twenty-five minutes, who will never go on her
first date or say the words, "I love you Mommy!", ever again!!

I wish you could know the frustration I feel in the cab of the engine,
the driver with his foot pressing down hard on the pedal, my arm
tugging again and again at the air horn chain, my foot on the siren,
as you fail to yield right-of-way at an intersection or in traffic!!
When you need us, however, your first comment upon our arrival will
be, "It took you forever to get here!!"

I wish you could read my thoughts as I help extricate a girl of
teenage years from the mangled remains of her automobile, 'What if
this was my sister, my girlfriend, or a friend?? What were her parents'
reactions going to be as they open the door to find a police officer,
HAT IN HAND??'

I wish you could know how it feels to walk in the back door and greet
my parents and family, not having the heart to tell them that you
nearly did not come home from this last call!!

I wish you could feel my hurt
as people verbally, and sometimes physically,
abuse us or belittle what I do,
or as they express their
attitudes of, "It will never happen to me!!"

I wish you could realize the physical, emotional,
and mental drain of missed meals, lost sleep,
and foregone social activities,
in addition to all the tragedy my eyes have viewed!!

I wish you could know the brotherhood and self-satisfaction of helping
save a life or preserving someone's property,
of being there in times of crisis,
or creating order from total CHAOS!!

I wish you could understand what it feels like to have a little boy
tugging on your arm and asking, "Is my Mommy o.k.??"
Not even being
able to look in his eyes without tears falling from your own and not
knowing what to say!!
Or to have hold back a long-time friend who
watches his buddy having rescue breathing done on him as they take him
away in the ambulance!!
You knowing all along he did not have his
seatbelt on . . . sensations that I have become too familiar!!

Unless you have lived this kind of life, you will never truly
understand or appreciate who I am,
what we are, or what our job really
means to us!!

I WISH YOU COULD!!!

Randall Broadwater
Firefighter/EMT-A
January 31,1993

Think of the consequences before you speed!!
This could be you!!!
or a close loved one!!
Take the time to read this??
You'll know what I mean!!
You may save a life!!
Maybe not, but we'll never know if we don't try!!

*************

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before
slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as
many months. How could a guy get caught so often??

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack
pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry
about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other
car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop
was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his
trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket.
A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who
happened to be a little eager to get home after a
long day at the office. A guy he was about to play
golf with tomorrow!!

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw
every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform!!

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile!!

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush
to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately.
I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit, just this once."
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said
something about roast beef and potatoes tonight.
Know what I mean??"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a
reputation in our precinct." Ouch. This was not
going in the right direction.
Time to change tactics!!

"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I
saw you. I was barely nudging 65."
The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the
still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the
dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.
The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.
Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?

Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays
before Jack ever sat near this cop again.
A tap on the door jerked his head to the left.
There was Bob, a folded paper in hand.
Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches,
just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word.
Jack watched his retreat in the mirror.
Jack unfolded the sheet of paper.
How much was this one going to cost?
Wait a minute. What was this?? Some kind of joke??
Certainly not a ticket!! Jack began to read. . . .

"Dear Jack,"
"Once upon a time I had a daughter!!
She was six when killed by a car!!
You guessed it. . . . a speeding driver!!
A fine and three months in jail,
and the man was free!! Free to hug his daughters!!
All three of them!! I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait
until Heaven before I can ever hug her again!!
A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man!!
A thousand times I thought I had!! Maybe I did, but I
need to do it again!! Even now!! Pray for me!!
And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left!!"

Sincerely, "Bob"

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull
away and head down the road. Jack watched until it
disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled
away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness
and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived!!

Life is precious!! Handle with care!!
This is an important message. . .please pass it along to your friends!!
Drive safely and carefully!!
Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker!!

~ UnKnown ~

I was graciously given permission from the author(Ruth Gillis)
of this poem to be able to keep it on my site!!
I want to set the record straight tho!!
This poem came to me thru my email
with the wrong author listed!!
I am proud and honored to give credit where credit is due!!
Please go visit her site!!
It's worth your time!!
Great site and poem Ruth!!
Keep up the good work!!
Thank you so very much!!
This is a "TEAR-JERKER"!!
Makes ya THINK!!. . .READ IT PLEASE??

THE WRECK ON HIGHWAY 109!!

~ by Ruth Gillis ~
Click here to visit Ruths site!!

************

A drunk man in an Oldsmobile,
they said had run the light,
that caused the six-car pileup,
on 109 that night!!
When broken bodies lay about,
and blood was everywhere,
the sirens screamed out elegies,
for death was in the air!!

A mother, trapped inside her car,
was heard above the noise,
her plaintive plea near split the air,
"Oh, God, please spare my boys!!"
She fought to loose her pinioned hands,
she struggled to get free,
but mangled metal held her fast,
in grim captivity!!

Her frightened eyes then focused on,
where the back seat once had been,
but all she saw was broken glass,
and two children’s seats crushed in!!
Her twins were nowhere to be seen,
she did not hear them cry,
and then she prayed they’d been thrown free,
"Oh, God, don’t let them die!!"

Then firemen came and cut her loose,
but when they searched the back,
they found therein no little boys,
but the seat belts were intact!!
They thought the woman had gone mad,
and was traveling alone,
but when they turned to question her,
they discovered she was gone!!

Policemen saw her running wild,
and screaming above the noise,
in beseeching supplication,
"Please help me find my boys!!
They’re four years old and wear blue shirts,
their jeans are blue to match!!"
One cop spoke up, "They’re in my car,
and they don’t have a scratch!!

They said their daddy put them there,
and gave them each a cone,
then told them both to wait for Mom,
to come and take them home!!
I’ve searched the area high and low,
but I can’t find their dad!!
He must have fled the scene, I guess,
and that is very bad!!"

The mother hugged the twins and said,
while wiping at a tear,
"He could not flee the scene, you see,
for he’s been dead a year!!"
The cop just looked confused and asked,
"Now, how can that be true??"
The boys said, "Mommy, Daddy came,
and left a kiss for you!!

He told us not to worry,
and that you would be all right,
and then he put us in this car,
with the pretty, flashing light!!
We wanted him to stay with us,
because we miss him so,
but Mommy, he just hugged us tight,
and said he had to go!!

He said someday we’d understand,
and told us not to fuss,
and he said to tell you, Mommy,
he’s watching over us!!"
The mother knew without a doubt,
that what they spoke was true,
for she recalled their dad’s last words,
"I will watch over you!!"

The firemen’s notes could not explain,
the twisted, mangled car,
and how the three of them escaped,
without a single scar!!

But on the cop’s report was scribed,
in print so very fine,
An Angel walked the beat tonight,
on Highway 109!!

~ Copyright © 1999 Ruth Gillis ~
~ All Rights Reserved ~

"The Wreck On Highway 109" received a First Place Award in the April 1999 issue of Poet's Review!!

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