What is a Firefighter

He's the guy next door, a man with a 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 wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams. Yet he
stands taller than most of us. He's a fireman who puts it all on the line
when the alarm sounds. 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 to
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 to 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.

Author Unknown