Some people ask me what I do on the weekends or evenings... Well, this is a part of my time off from here and I am proud to say this is what some others here from our County do as well. There really are some amazing men and women right here among us. You dont have to look hard or far to be proud of Cleveland and Liberty County.....you just have to open your eyes and look around. Volunteer for your local Fire Department. If you cant volunteer, please donate or help an way you can. Your help and support means more than you can ever imagine!!! ******************************************************** The pager sounds off....loud and clear. The tones echo through all the ambient noise of the day. I head out. The lights, the sirens...they are just a part of me now days. A part of what I do, who I am. As I turn onto the highway I see the column of smoke. Its thick black cloud rising above the tree line. I hear the first in Engine Co., Engine 51 on location, heavy fire/smoke one story structure. I arrive a short very time later. Other Companies are responding from other Departments all over the County. We are short water and man power. I gear up. We go in. Thats what we do. I feel the heat and watch the flames roll over our heads and to our left and right. The smoke and interior belongings are all illuminated by the fire light. I watch it all for just a moment. Studying the fire. Watching him. Watching how he is advancing, moving. Then, I open the nozzle. The water streams out like and angry missile crashing into an object. The room goes dark. Nothing but the heat and smoke and steam envelope us now. I hear the sirens of the other Fire Fighters coming. More help. More water. The attack continues. We have to back out due to the floor and roof both becoming unstable, thus an interior attack on the fire is no longer valid. Crushing in a way, really. This is someones home and there is no more to do but to surround and drown this place. Heartbreaking to all....no Fire Fighter likes this Mode of Operation. However, we know this is how it must be. Thus, we do it. As other units arrive and take over the lines to allow those of us in the first wave to break I shuck my gear. I look over the roadway and I see them. The home owner. Her family, friends and even an area Preacher. I see their tears through the smoke billowing in the yard and through the air. I am soaked in sweat, water and soot. Yet, I feel compelled to walk over and speak to them as no one else has had the time. The home owner, a Senior Citizen and a fine lady was obviously crushed. With a watery eye I deliver the hard news. Nothing saved in this fire. Her house is all but gone from the place she has known and called home for 45 years. Her cat, has expired was well. She only asks, with tears in her eyes....is everyone ok...are all of yall ok? I am overwhelmed with admiration. Truly from another generation...the greatest generation. Her question was not about her, but of others. A true testament to who our Seniors were and remain to be. For the fellow Fire Fighters who I worked side by side with yesterday, most of the afternoon....it was such an honor, such a privilege to serve with you all. To look at what we faced and overcame...together, it gives me and my heart such comfort and is a testimony to the Brother/Sister Hood of Fire Fighters. Yesterday afternoon was a busy, mentally and physically demanding time. So much was lost. So much was overcome. So much was accomplished. While there was all of these things at once, I can say without reservation, I was humbled to even be a part of this...this hard fought fight. To stand with those who fought and to have won is truly something difficult to explain and only those in the fight can truly understand. For the amazingly strong lady who lost her home of forty five years, her cat, her possessions...my hear breaks. You showed me and reminded me of who we all once were. A tough, strong, good people. For you to ask of others in your time of such significant loss was absolutely amazing. I pray I can live up to what you showed me. Such fine character. Such amazing grace under such dreadful impact. Truly an inspiration to all of us there. While the fire, the fire fighting, the hard work, the fight itself were all a heartfelt and sincere effort...the words of this lady overshadowed it all.....tears here...absolutely reminded me of my Grand Parents.....A generation mostly gone now...A generation who saved this Country and this world...not by worrying about themselves or what they had lost individually, but by always putting others before themselves. They showed the world what we could do. I pray, quite sincerely, we showed her yesterday, there are still some of us who would do all we could for others. I pray she knows her words, her lesson was not lost. Not lost at all......
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:10:21 +0000