I had the honor and privilege of conducting the Blessing of the Helmets Ceremony at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournament in Courtland this morning. To be quite honest I was worn completely out. We had 5 calls yesterday and last night with the last call being @ 5:44 AM. Zero sleep. Needless to say I fell asleep driving to the golf course this morning but something changed when I arrived. This Golf Tournament raises much needed funds to support the families of fallen firefighters in our area. I saw a number of old friends at the event. A great number asked me how I was doing since my accident. I told them I had been very blessed and was doing great.......with a few aches and pains here and there but nothing major. I particularly visited with a member of the Moulton Fire Department. He was sharing with me their departments training in regards to building collapses since that type of event took the life of several of their firefighters about 6 years ago. I told the firefighter that the very first thing that went through my mind during my accident with the wall collapse, was the men that lost their lives in Moulton. I prayed and prayed to God to save me. I could feel what those men were going through. I dont understand why I was spared and they were not. However...........Im so thankful that God has allowed me to go back and fight fires once again. I count it an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to be sleepy, tired and unrested when God has given me the opportunity to pray over the helmets of my fellow firefighters. Sometimes HE puts things in perspective and makes me realize what is important. So with that said.......I thank God for being tired. At least Im here. I cannot imagine the loss of the families that lost loved ones in firefighting tragedies. My mom worries about me and always calls me after every call I go out on. She says she can remember the night she got their phone call about me. Thank you Lord for the heros that have gone on before me. Please protect their families and help me to be a good example in the fire service but most importantly in your service.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 02:35:08 +0000