9-11

Every year on Jake's anniversary of being taken off in an ambulance(twice), we take cookies and muffins to the fire station.  I say every year, but I guess this is only the 2nd year.:-)

This year we didn't actually make it on his anniversary.  We had great intentions, but never actually made.  So we decided what better time to acknowledge these heroes than on the anniversary of September 11th.

I hesitate calling our community helpers heroes, as this is their job.  This is what they signed up to do.  They signed up to beat down fiery walls in the middle of the night and to cut cars open to save a civilian inside.  They signed up dive into frigid waters to rescue a drowning child.  This is what their job is.

This is what their job is.... but they are truly heroes in my eyes. 

These community helpers giving an iv of rescue meds to a seizing boy in Plano.

These men and women stopping a heart attack  victim from becoming a fatality in San Angelo.

These heroes climbing stairs  and doing all they can to save the lives of thousands in New York while risking their own, every step of the way thinking of the loved ones the could be leaving all alone at home.

Regardless of where they are and what they have done, It is certain they have changed a life in their path.  For this they are heroes to me.

Here are some pictures of this years visit to Plano Fire Station #4 on September 11th, 2010.

He is 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 men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it.