A FIREMAN'S WIFE Sometimes it's hard to understand what a Fireman has to gain;
By: Sheryl Knieriemen
Spending so much time at the station while his family time seems to wane.
They often hold meeting after meeting, training sessions here and there;
Work details and fundraisers too, tension is often felt in the air.
"Lord, help us please to understand just what it's all about,"
And with those words He told us all beyond a shaddow of a doubt;
For it happened on a Saturday morn when the firemen received a call,
Where a man suffered from electrocution 12,000 volts, they say in all.
As I arrived, I saw him there draped lifelessly across the tower,
God only Your love can give them strength in this crucial hour.
While two men held him so he wouldn't fall and another man took control,
They risked their own for another man's life and by God's grace they attained their goal;
For it was only a matter of time till they lowered him where on a back-board he was bound,
And with numerous hands he was lowered again to an Ambulance Crew on the ground.
From that point on the firemen had done all they were able to do,
And as I watched I couldn't help but feel the pain they too, had been through.
There isn't enough training that prepares them for what life has in store,
I pray Dear God You'll prepare their hearts each time they pass through the station's doors;
A place where lives are being transformed for what a Fireman's called to do,
Where Faith's increased and hearts made strong for the trials they must go through.
And the next time they're called to duty God for meetings, training, or to save a persons property or life,
Please give us Strength, Love, and Hope it takes to be a Fireman's Wife.
(c) 1992 Sheryl A. Knieriemen (Wife of a Green Springs Vol. Fireman)
A FIREMAN'S SON
MY DAD'S A FIREMAN, and proud am I, indeed, Dad and I are buddies and, to me, that means a lot, He took me to parades, when other kids stayed home, He showed me how to fix things, even let me use his tools, The examples that he set, I follow everyday, Precious are those years, now tucked away with time, Dad, hear me as I say ~ "I love you", man-to-man,
For he is someone special, whose wisdom I still need.
A bond to last forever, with love that forms the knot.
And taught me to play baseball, on a field without a dome.
What I learned from Dad ~ they don't teach in schools.
Placing God and Country first, in showing me the way.
Tenderly remembered: I, as the leaf ~ He, as the vine.
And, I'm proud to tell the world, MY DAD'S A FIREMAN.
LABOR OF LOVE
As the engines race by, I felt chills up my spine, The weather was stormy; all rainy and slick, My mind soon wandered, as I thought of the worse, Turned on the radio; tried to stay calm, "O Mercy! Have Mercy! Dear Heaven above, My prayers were soon answered, with a call from the Chief, Your man is O.K. ~ nothing hurt but our pride... So brave are the men who can meet the demand,
For there, in full turnout, rode that man of mine.
It's a mystery to many what make these men tick.
Hope it's soon over, and no one is hurt.
Then heard: "Fire truck crashes answering alarm!"
Let nothing happen to that man I love!"
"Don't worry," he said, "there's no need for grief."
Some fool and a false alarm!" His voice rang bitter inside.
For this LABOR OF LOVE, only they understand.
A FIREMAN'S LOG
MONDAY was quiet ~ only answered one bell, TUESDAY alerted: "man falls in lake," WEDNESDAY it hit us ~ four calls in a day ~ THURSDAY P.M., heard the Plectron alert, FRIDAY pumped a basement, flooded by rain, SATURDAY an accident, by some messed-up fool, SUNDAY to firemen, ain't a day of rest,
Saved a kitten up a tree; made a youngster feel swell.
Called our EMT to resuscitate.
House, garage, car ~ and, a barn full of hay.
Kid wedged his thumb in a bottle of Squirt!
A job for a plumber ~ but, why complain?
Got him out safe, with our new Hurst tool.
Saved a coronary victim; 'tis he who is blest'.
MY GRANDPA'S A FIREMAN
There aren't many kids ~ so I'm led to understand, My Grandpa never gets older like kids who grow each day; There's somethin' special 'bout him, and I know what he says is true; He takes me to parades, and I sit in his big red truck; At times his clothes smell funny; I hold my nose and say "PEEE-UU!" On Christmas and Thanksgiving ~ even Easter and birthdays, too, I know I'm really lucky; I'm the happiest kid in the land,
Who can really and truly say, MY GRANDPA'S A FIREMAN.
He doesn't even have wrinkles 'cause God made him that way.
For he wants me to be fair and honest in everything I do.
I push the siren so very loud ~ you'd almost think it was stuck!
But I know it's from smoke and the kind of work he has to do.
We visit Grandpa and Grandma where there's so many things to do.
Since I have someone I love and can say, MY GRANDPA'S A FIREMAN.
A FIREMAN'S MOM
A FIREMAN'S MOM is in a class of her own, Her heart and spirit as large as a mountain, She's put up with me since the first sound I'd spoken, While she's fully aware of the danger I face, But deep within ~ her thoughts are more prayerful, A beautiful lady with her charm and appeal, Like a rare-cut diamond; a priceless breed, Not mentioned enough, like a prayer or a psalm,
Like an angel from heaven, like a queen on a throne.
With a smile that sparkles like a sun-splashed fountain.
Even to this day ~ that's a feat seldom broken!
She rarely shows it ~ not even a trace.
"Lord, watch over my child ~ OH please ~ be careful."
Never missing a birthday or my favorite meal.
Always ready to help any person in need.
"You're loved more than ever," my FIREMAN'S MOM.
MY DADDY'S A FIREMAN
We're seldom named in poems, though we do have charm and poise, Well, my Daddy's a fireman, and I'm proud as I can be, He needs both me and Mommy to remind him of things to do, One day he took me with him to his firehouse downtown, At times, I like to fool him; make believe I'm asleep at night, Please don't tell anybody, I once saw my Daddy cry, When he fights these fires, I guess I'm to young to know, The reason I wrote this poem is to explain the best I can,
Firemen never seem to have girls it's always boys, boys, boys!
While my name isn't Tommy or Billy, he loves me 'cause I'm me.
Like going to Church on Sunday and emptying the garbage, too.
I sat in the big red engine and pushed the siren down.
He'd whisper; "Nite-nite, little darlin', don't let the bed bugs bite!"
He fought a real bad fire and told Mommy he saw someone die.
He's always helping people ~ and, that's why I love him so.
Girls, just like boys, can say with pride ~ MY DADDY'S A FIREMAN.
FIREHOUSE BLESSING
Oh Heavenly Father, we humbly seek your Divine Blessing of this building and our firefighting equipment which we so proudly harbor within these walls. We pray that you guide and watch over us as we carry out our mission to help our fellow man defend himself against our common enemy. Amen
FAITH AMONG BROTHERS
They both grew up as buddies, so close throughout the years, Each settled down and married, two girls from high school days, Though neither was related, one would never know, Firefighting beckoned, and they joined God's Chosen few, They each were pulling duty, when the box came in at ten, Arriving at the scene, the blaze was out of hand, He reached the roof by ladder, with a hose line held in tow, Joe ran through the rubble; carried out his fallen mate, "I wasn't too late, sir, though Bill's life had but seconds to run,
Even fought a war together; to return amid the cheers.
And families soon developed, with loving kids to raise.
The kids would always holler: "Hi, uncle Billy;" "Hi, uncle Joe."
As their fathers did before them, it was like a dream come true.
A call for all equipment, and just as many men.
Flames shot from every window, and Bill took full command.
When the structure fell from under, dropping him below.
The Chief said sadly later, "I'm sorry it was too late."
For in those final moments, he managed to say..."I knew you'd come."
A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE
A special kind of woman; a cut above the rest, How many goodbyes are shouted, without a fond embrace, How many meals are ruined ~ or, tender moments disturbed, It's a devil of a job, for an angel like this, She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need, She's mother, lover, chauffer and nurse, Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,
That's A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE, rating her among the best.
As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.
By the wail of a distant signal, sparkig loyalty unswerved.
Who...for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss.
How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.
A living symbol of: "for better or for worse."
Who chose to be the other half of A FIREMAN'S WIFE.
A FIREMAN'S LITTLE GIRL
...and please watch over my Daddy, and help him get people out who get stuck in fires.
A FIREMAN'S LITTLE BOY
...protect my Dad who is fighting a fire tonight, and bring him home safe and quick...with a pizza!!
A FIREMAN'S LITTLE BOY
...and my Daddy goes to peoples' houses, too...
BEYOND THE CALL
They all called him Smitty ~ short for Fireman Smith, A steady smile etched on his face and a heart as big as gold, His days and nights committed; over ten years on the squad, One night while pulling duty, the bell came in at eight, Arriving on the scene, smoke billowed into space, He dashed for the structure where a little child was trapped, Knocking down a door, the search team found their brother, Soon it was discovered, the heroic act that had taken place ~
A warm regard for his fellowman; he was something of a myth.
The day this man was born ~ they threw away the mold.
And one helluva' fireman at which he worked so hard.
His rescue truck was soon in gear ~ like a filly at the gate.
Reaching for the Air-Pac; slid the mask upon his face.
Soon to be missed by his buddies, once the fire was capped.
His lifeless body next to the child's; close to one another.
For Smitty had used his mask to cover the breathing child's face.
