Fallen Firefighters

[newbomb]

9 Charleston Carolina firefighters were killed in a furniture business fire yesterday. 1 of the men were from the city where I work. This is a huge line of duty loss ranking up there with the Worchester 6 a few years back and the 343 members lost on september 11th. Please remember these heros today and pray for their families.


                                                                                    Jeremy

[possumal]

They are surely included in my prayers. That is such a tragedy.  Having spent almost 12 years as a Lexington, Ky. firefighter, you learn pretty early how dangerous things can get quickly.

[newbomb]

Possumal I had no idea we were brothers! I am a member of City of Washington Indiana for 4 years now.

[possumal]

Newbomb: I would have to admit that my leaving the fire dept. before I completed my requirements for retirement has to be the biggest mistake I have made in my life, and there have been plenty.  It is nice to know that I have a brother posting here. I don't miss the risks of the job at all, but I sure miss my close friends.  You seem to get institutionalized somewhat on that kind of job.

[Hawks Feather]

There families will be in my prayers tonight.  Joey (Purgatory Predator Calls) is also a fire fighter.

Jerry

[KySongDog]

My prayers are with them and their loved ones. 

[FinsnFur]

Not good.   

We got a pretty big family here on FnF, we can send some serious prayer that way.

[Bopeye]

That's sad........

[iahntr]

I heard that on the radio this morning. Very sad deal. I was talking about this a little with a co worker today. My Dad has been on the volunteer Fire Dept. in my home town for more years then I can remember, and I'll be 40 in Aug. ( I'll have to ask him exactly how long he's been on) I know small town Iowa doesn't get near the number of calls a larger city does, but it kinda drives home the reality of the job. Thank You to all of you that serve on your local Depts.

[cb223]

My prayers are with the familys. That is very sad indeed.

[newbomb]

Brother when you weep for me
Remember that it was meant to be
Lay me down and when you leave
Remember I'll be at your sleeve
In every dark and choking hall
I'll be there as you slowly crawl
On every roof in driving snow
I'll hold your coat and you will know
In cellars hot with searing heat
At windows where a gate you meet
In closets where young children hide
You know I'll be there at your side
The house from which I now respond
Is overstaffed with heroes gone
Men who answered one last bell
Did the job and did it well
As firemen we understand
That death's a card dealt in our hand
A card we hope we never play
But one we hold there anyway
That card is something we ignore
As we crawl across a weakened floor
For we know that we're the only prayer
For anyone that might be there
So remember as you wipe your tears
The joy I knew throughout the years
As I did the job I loved to do
I pray that thought will see you through,

[ohiobob]

I heard of this today,,sad,,very sad,,,even the guys on our volunteer Fire Dept. Put their lives in danger,,even for a
"Routine" house or car fire,,I have never done it BUT I DO RESPECT those that do,,I went to a week long firefighter school in the Military and it was BAD news and that was in a CONTROLLED fire,,glad I never had to use that training
Bob

[possumal]

Newbomb: Thanks for posting the firefighter's poem. We had that posted at every bulletin board when I was on the Lexington Dept.. A lot of people used to gripe if we were playing croquet in the yard, but I never heard one cry or moan when their house was on fire. You and I both know too well that you can be sound asleep in the middle of the night, and risking your butt two minutes later.

[newbomb]

copy that possumal. We spent the day detailing the trucks for the funeral of Engineer Kelsey. They will be bringing him home with a state police escort along with honor gaurd on saturday with the funeral on tuesday. The engine he worked on in Charleston is driving up here with his crew, the pipes and drum corp and their honor guard to carry him to the grave yard. That gets me choked up just thinkin about it and I never had the privilige of knowing him. To bring all that from South Carolina to Indiana just to carry your own brother to rest is a great show of respect and honor. Rest in peace brothers of the Charleston 9 your work is done here.

[possumal]

Newbomb:  Don't feel bad about getting choked up, as you wouldn't be the man you are without being able to really feel for your fallen brothers. I have been away from the firefighting line for over 30 years, but it still gets to me. We lost a young man about 7 years ago and it hit the whole dept. hard, as his dad was a retired firefighter.  It is truly an unusual job to live together and share family problems and problems on the job, but dropping all that instantly to help others.  That is really something bringing a brother home.

[bowjunkie]

A sad day for sure my heart goes out to the families of the fallen