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Fireman's Prayer
Dear God, Stand beside me through the fire and smoke, Grant me strength and speed to rescue precious lives, and protect lives, And Lord, be there to guide and keep me shielded from harm. |
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Christopher Scott Charlier
June 2, 1999 |
Mark Grubbs
December 18, 2000 |
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For all the Emergancy Workers
who died in the trade towers
September 11, 2001 |
"HEY MOM!" HE YELLED FROM THE ATTIC DOOR WHAT'S THESE OLD BOOTS AND HARD HAT FOR?" WITH A LUMP IN HER THROAT AND A TEAR-STAINED CHEEK, HIS MOTHER SWALLOWED AND STARTED TO SPEAK.
"COME HERE, MY SON" HIS MOTHER SAID "THERE'S THINGS TO TELL WHEN I CLEAR MY HEAD." THE PAST RACED MADLY THROUGH HER MIND. SHE SEARCHED HER HEART,THE WORDS TO FIND. AT LAST SHE SIGHED AND RUBBED HIS HAIR AND THE WORDS TO FOLLOW I'D LIKE TO SHARE.
"THOSE OLD BOOTS AND HAT", SHE SAID WITH PRIDE "WERE WORN BY A MAN WITH GRIT INSIDE. HE WORE THEM TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED THOUGH FACING DANGER,WOULD NEVER CONCEDE, MANY A TIME IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT HE JUMPED IN THOSE BOOTS AND FLASHED OUT OF SIGHT TO ANSWER A CALL AND NOT KNOWING FOR SURE WHAT DANGER OR HEARTACHE HE MAY HAVE TO ENDURE.
YOUR FATHER, MY SON, WAS NOT LIKE MOST DADS: IT WAS MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE JOB HE HAD. HIS LIFE WAS DEVOTED TO ALL OF MANKIND, AND JUST WHY HE CHOSE IT IS UNCLEAR IN MY MIND. BUT I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I WAS A PART OF A MAN WHO POSSESSED SUCH A COURAGEOUS HEART.
THOUGH, FOR ALL HIS DISCOMFORT AND ALL OF HIS PAIN THE TIME HE SPENT HERE WAS NEVER IN VAIN. SO THE MEMORIES I'LL KEEP AND THE LOVE I WILL SAVE" THROUGH SMALL CONSOLATIONS FOR THE LIFE THAT HE GAVE. YOUR FATHER'S DAYS HERE MADE OTHERS SEEM BRIGHTER, FOR YOUR FATHER, MY SON, WAS A FIREFIGHTER."
