Thanks for watching my back!
Current mood: gallant
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

     As a firefighter, you get called to a lot different scenes, each one dangerous in it's own right.  But one thing you could always count on.  There would be a policeman there.  Most often they would be there before you.  They would secure the scene, control traffic and bystanders, provide assistance in a myriad of ways and provide protection when necessary.  I hope that every policeman knows that firefighters have the greatest respect for them.  It was comforting to know that your policeman brothers, were there through thick and thin. 

     My first call as an EMT was to a home where a young man distraught over his fiance breaking up with him, was holed up down in the basement, with a pistol, ready to shoot himself or anyone that tried to get near him.  The policemen were right there by our sides.  The policemen and my Lieutenant continued to talk and reason with him.  He seemed to only become more determined to take his life.  The sheriffs department located his ex-fiance, went and got her and brought her to the scene.  After much more talking, pleading and listening, he finally gave up the weapon to a policeman and we were able to get to him.  He hyperventilated and we had to control that.  We then took him to a hospital where he could get some help.  Without the aid of our policer brothers and the ex-fiance, we could never have ended that standoff with the result of no one getting hurt.  My heart felt thanks to those brave policemen that responded with us.  

      To the extent that when a fireman sits down to supper, the fire bell has to ring, television does reflect reality.  It seemed as if there was something about the oven, as the food became ready, it would send a signal to the bell telling it to ring.  Much to the frustration of the station cook, me!   On one particular night, though it didn't affect my station at all.  It was an ambulance call to a young boy that had suffered a tremendous head injury.  It soon, became obvious that the young boy was battling death and losing quickly.  Time was of the essence.  Every firefighter stopped eating and gathered around the radio, feeling helpless that we couldn't do anything to help.  It soon became evident, that every policeman in the area had moved up and were set at each intersection, waiting to block the traffic as the ambulance came by.  One intersection after another was covered by a policeman, allowing the ambulance to have a clear shot through each intersection.  With this help, the ambulance made better than average time and soon the little boy was at the hospital and in the care of those that could help him.  This is anther example where our policeman brothers were a part of our team, that saved that little boy.  Without their help, the outcome may have not been as favorable.  

     My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every police person in every city of the world.  Every day you go out into a world that is filled with danger and often with direct hate of you, because of what you are.  Yet, every day you get up and go back to the quagmire called society and protect and serve with every ounce of ability you have.  As much as it may not seem so at times, you are making a difference in the world.   You have my love and admiration and I am proud to call you brothers and sisters.  May God bless and protect you, while you are protecting and serving the citizens of your community!

     I thought that firefighters were made so that policemen could have heros; but I see that policemen were made so that firefighters could have heros.  And that is the way it should be, because every firefighter and every policeman is a hero.  So yes, I am glad to say that you people are my heros, along with every soldier willing to give their life for our freedom.

1:52 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Dream Comes True
Current mood: Proud!
Category: Proud! Jobs, Work, Careers

    In the late fifties and early sixties, a young boy lived in a small town in the North Georgia Hills.  The foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.  One of his favorite pastimes was following his dad everwhere.  On a walk to the main part of town, the boy heard a sound, it penetrated his heart and soul.  Soon he could see the big red truck, flashing red lights, sirens blaring, bell clanging.  It permeated the innermost parts of the little boy.  He knew that someday he would be driving that big red truck.

     The year is 1974, the Vietnam war has ended, and a young soldier returns to his beloved Georgia.  The first thing he applied for was with the Clayton County fire department.  After taking the test, he waited.  Three weeks later he learned that he had been accepted.  He was going to the next training class!  It was everything, he had dreamed of; so long ago in the north Georgia hills.  No job could fulfill me as this great job of firefighting. 

    Every day was different, exciting and left me feeling that I had helped someone that day.  Soon I got the chance to go to EMT class.  I am honored to be the 4,600th EMT in the state of Georgia and the 44,044th nationally registered EMT.  Finally, I achieved my First Class Firefighter certification and attended the engineer course.  Now I finally got to drive that big red fire truck to the scene.  Well, close; it was a big white fire truck. 

    Not everyone is as lucky as me, for not everyone gets the chance to live their dream.  I am deeply grateful for those wonderful days as a professional firefighter.  I wouldn't trade a day of that.  I think the greatest joy man can find is serving his fellow man.  For firefighters, policemen and soldiers, this is carried one step farther, as they offer their life every day for their fellow man.  Every day that passes, a firefighter, policeman or soldier reaches their End of Watch (EOW).  For them and their family, the ultimate sacrifice has been given,  for as it is so poignantly stated by Jesus in John 15:13; Greater love hath no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

     Sometimes, as in 9/11; it all seems senseless.  In reality it is!  But it must be remembered, that we do not conscript firemen, policemen and since the 70's all soldiers have volunteered to do what they do.  Know that your family member who gave all, did so out of the love that is within them.  War is not just, fire doesn't discriminate against whom it will take, and criminals don't say, "Today I am going to kill Officer John Doe, when I rob the bank."  Be proud of your family member, they loved enough to do what many can't or won't do.  Don't lessen or negate what they have done by being critical of how it happened.  You can't say you are for the soldier and say you are against the war!  The fact can not change, that it is our war now!   We can all want a peaceful and quick resolution to the war, pray to that end and have great concern for our family members in harms way.  But we all have the duty to fully back our men and women in uniform as they protect and serve us daily!  God bless you and them!

9:55 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My First Military Service
Current mood: thankful

The year was 1971.  It was mid spring.  Vietnam was full blown!  Each night brought the new headcount of enemy killed and U.S soldiers killed.  The draft was busy, calling the new replacements.  My cousin and I knew that our numbers were fast coming up.  To delay the inevitable, we joined under the new enlistment program called VOLAR.  The first of the volunteer army.  People did voluntarily enlist before that, it was just the beginning of the volunteer army as we know it today. 

     I ended up as a 11C, mortarman; and my cousin was an artillaryman.  Our first assignment was with the 197th Infantry Brigade.  We were stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  Because we had joined under VOLAR, we were given a one year assignment there.  Both of us were in the Honor Guard.  Our assignment was demonstrating infantry tactics to the Rangers that were trainning there.  When we weren't doing that we were in parades and sadly, quite busy doing the honors for those who gave their all in Vietnam or elsewhere. 

     Finally the day came when I got my orders to Vietnam.  My assignment there was to be with a signal battalion.  That meant providing protection for the signal guys as they lay their landlines.  Then at night, manning the mortars, as we engaged the enemy movement outside the perimeter.  As the day got closer, I was pleased to learn that the war was de-escalating and that my assignment was changed to go to Germany. 

     There I was assigned to the 2nd ACR (Army Calvary Regiment).  Our job was to man the border between East and West Germany.  Our sector was  from Coburg to Hof.  I drove an Armored Personnel Carrier, mounted with a 4.2 millimeter mortar and an 81mm mortar.  Both were also for use by manually carrying. We would spend 45 days on the border and 90 back in garrison.  A lot of interesting stories to tell about this assignment.  That will come later. 

     To help us transition back to civilian life after Vietnam, they started a program called Project Transition.  For the last 90 days or so, you could work anywhere that you wanted that had a position so that you could begin to turn your skills back to peacetime  occupations.  I had another cousin, whose husband was a LT. in the fire department.  His father was also the Assistant Chief.  My dream had long been to join them.  I was able to work with the fire department on base, They were german nationals, but also had a SSG in the army there.  I trained with them and got to find out how much I did love firefighting.  My very first fire was huge, the dump was on fire, LOL.  Got many a call there, over time.  My most interesting call was to the airport, where a  chopper had crashed.  It was my first time to use foam fighting a fire.  Returning to the states, I was discharged form the army and soon got my dream of becoming a firefighter.  Keep looking for that story next. 

9:59 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Three Time Honored Professions
Current mood: inspired
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

     In my lifetime I have proudly served in two time honored professions.  I am proud to have served my community as a firefighter and my country as a soldier.  Both professions are built on camaraderie, honor and trust.  Both professions require you to do what normal people are afraid to do.  Both professions ask you to put your life on the line for the common good. 

     My life has been enriched by the dedicated men and women with whom I have served with in the United States Army, the Clayton County, Georgia; Fire Department and Utopia, Texas; Volunteer Fire Department.  In every instance I have been challenged and mentored by courageous men and women, ever ready to do the right thing, even when a clear and present danger was involved.  I thank each and every person, that has served alongside of me as an infantry soldier, Clayton County firefighter, again as a medical soldier and finally again as a Utopia volunteer firefighter.

       I am dedicating this blog to all the courageous men and women, who put their lives on the line every day for you and me.  Men and women of the fire departments all across this great country, the men and women risking their lives for our country in the military services and to the law enforcement departments all across the country.  A special memory and dedication goes to all the brave firefighters, policemen, emergency personnel and to the civilians that risked; or gave their lives on that fateful day of 9/11.   That was a day of American Heros!  America must never forget the events and sacrifices of everyone involved in that event; on the day that drew America together as it hasn't been drawn together in a long time.  Here in San Antonio Texas; we still say, "Remember the Alamo!"  Let all of America continue to say, "Remember 9/11!"    

10:45 PM - 5 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment