The life
of a Volunteer FireFighter is something
That most
Americans will never understand
To them
we are represented by bingos and carnivals
Just another
typical small town, woman and man.
Volunteer
firefighters start with a willing heart
Giving
their dedication and time to you.
The reasons
that they state for serving their towns
Vary from
helping their residents to just something to do.
Does it
really matter why they volunteer
When you
place that call for help?
The last
thing you will think of is why they serve.
Your heart
was warmed by their dedication you felt.
Yes, volunteering
does involve fund raising and other things.
All required
to help their companies survive.
But we
must never fail to remember that
These
dedicated individuals have their own family lives.
Most people
never consider the loved ones left behind
Or the
family meals that were never even tasted.
When that
emergency call comes over the air
It's time
to respond, precious seconds cannot be wasted.
The volunteers
rush from their warm homes and family love
Saying
"I have to go" to children, husbands and wives.
For some
those are last words spoken at home
Trying
to help you, they have given their lives.
No monuments,
memorials, or memories of old
Can ever
bring those fallen heros back to life.
So look
around and thank each member of the volunteer team.
Tell them
you appreciate them, tell them tonight.
Please
never forget the countless dedicated volunteers,
Those
you will call in case of fire or a fall.
Caring
neighbors and friends that you've never met
Stand
ready to answer the call.
In today's
sophisticated society
Time has
no boundary or release
We are
hastened to complete all assigned duties
In a hurried
manner with no decrease.
We are
constantly cramming increasing agendas
Into every
passing day
We have
no time for family or friends
And definitely
no time to pray.
Stress
has become a household definition
Drive-thru
windows are at their height
We have
no time for life's somber thoughts
Only for
things that bring us instant delight.
We hear
concerning the information highway
CD's,
computers, health care, taxes, and such
But the
main purpose of this life here on earth
Is something
that has fallen out of touch.
This world
is lacking the dedication of old
Being
a proud neighbor and friend
"Volunteering",
an endangered term
That is
slowly coming to an end.
We have
close family and friends
That we
are just too busy to call or to visit
We rationalize
this excuse as being justified
But ask
yourself honestly, Is it?
Recently
four great people of God perished
In one
instant of an eye
My heart
aches because of one thing
The visit
I never made just to say "hi".
There are
many things that I wish now
As I glance
at the empty house up the street
The house
that once was so full of life
My heart
fills with despair and defeat.
Please
take time today to express your feelings
To a friend
or loved one you know
It could
be the last opportunity you may enjoy
To let
your love and friendship show.
Life will
pass quickly enough as it is
Many of
life's mysteries we will never understand
Take time
now to share memories with your family and friends
Slow down
and take a stand.
The dream
of becoming a Firefighter
Lives
in the minds of many a small child
To emulate
their heroes from books and TV
And to
help neighbors all the while.
They reach
that age in time to finally become
A real
volunteer firefighter true and thru
Beaming
with anticipation and resolve
In search
of something heroic to do.
The reasons
they volunteer differ as they
Describe
why they serve their community with pride
The only
common denominator being one simple phrase
"To help
others" they reply.
Dedicated
men and women from different walks of life
Comprise
such a respected force
Responding
with devotion and care
With no
hint of regret or remorse.
That first
alarm ignites their dedication within
Directing
the tremendous adrenaline rush
They have
to respond and to react
A passion
so true and so just.
Take for
example, Fireman Dan
Keeping
with tradition as his father and brothers alike
From his
warm loving bed answered the call
And entered
that December cold night.
Dan made
the attack pumper leaving the hall
With sirens
crying into that bitterness cold
While
donning his SCBA, he heard the sad news
A little
child entrapped, he was told.
Without
thinking of his wife and daughter at home
He bravely
entered that burning house
Desiring
to bring that child to safety
and then
that stubborn blaze to douse.
As he crawled
thru the narrow hallway, he paused.
In the
darkness came a baby's faint cry,
the last
sound Dan would ever hear.
The roof
collapsed causing him to die.
Tears streamed
from that Fire Chief's eyes
As he
rang the doorbell to Dan's country house.
The new
widow came to the door
Dressed
in sweatpants and blue cotton blouse.
She sensed
the worst when the Chief's face she saw
All color
was drained from his brow.
As he
spoke, "I'm sorry, Dan was killed earlier tonight,"
She said,
"I must go see him. Please take me right now."
As his
casket passed between two aerial towers
She raised
her eyes to heaven for the Lord's guidance.
She spoke,
"In memory of my late husband Dan
For my
hero, a moment of silence."
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