Montrose
I have to say, I was appalled when I read the letter by Jim Westervelt in Wednesday morning’s paper regarding the pay raise for our local firemen. I truly hope, Mr. Westervelt, that you never have to suffer a fire in your home or the loss of one of your loved ones who might need the services of our firefighters.
I feel we cannot pay our first responders enough. They are always there—always prepared, needed or not. They endure rigorous training. It’s inevitable that they will be called out in the middle of the night, no matter what the weather, no matter if it’s a holiday—they are always there for us.
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My husband was a volunteer fireman, as was his father, brother and our grandson. I’ll tell you what...these fine men are anything but “two-bit con-artists.” I feel you owe them an apology.
What Is A Fireman?
He’s the guy next door.
He’s the man with the sharp memory of a little boy who never got over the excitement of engines and sirens and smoke and danger.
He’s the guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfilled dreams.
Yet he stands taller than most of us. He’s a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of all men.
He’s a man who savors life because he has seen too much death. He’s a gentle man because he has seen too much of the awesome power of violent forces out of control.
He’ s a man responsive to a child’s laughter because his arms have held many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He’s a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life…hot coffee held in numbed, unbending fingers…the flush of fresh air pumping through smoke and fire convulsed lungs…a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling…the camaraderie of brave men…the divine peace of self service and a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn’t wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities and when he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn’t preach the brotherhood of men.
He lives it.
(Author unknown—Montrose Fire Department Memorabilia)
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