He's the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger. He's a guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled 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 men. He's a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death. He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control. He's responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again. He's 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.
Unknown Author
I Am A Fireman's Wife
The table's set, the meal prepared,
our guest will soon arrive.
My husband once more disappears
with a hope of keeping a child alive.
While waiting at home alone,
our plans having gone awry,
My first impulse is merely to sit right down and cry.
But soon again I realize the importance of my life,
when I agreed to take on the duties
of being a fireman's wife.
While there are many drawbacks,
I'll take them all in my stride,
knowing 'My Daddy saved a life'
Our children can say with pride.
The gusting winds and raging flames
may be his final fate,
but with Gods help I can remain
My fireman's faithful mate.
UNION MILLS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
6791Hudlow Road
Union Mills, NC 28167
Ph. (828) 2877118
e-mail: umvfd@netzero.com
And the Firefighter's Family
A Tribute to all Firefighters
Firefighter's Prayer
When I'm called to duty god
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
to hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me,
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property.
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life,
bless with your protecting hand,
my children and my wife.
The Last Alarm
My father was fireman.
He drove a big red truck,
and when he'd go to work each day
he'd say, "Mother wish me luck."
Then Dad would not come home again
'til sometime the next day.
But the thing that bothered me the most
was the thing's some folks would say,
"A fireman's life is easy,
he eats and sleeps and plays,
and sometimes he won't fight a fire
for days and days."
When I first heard these words
I was too young to understand,
but I knew when people had trouble
Dad was there to lend a hand.
Then my father went to work one day
and kissed us all goodbye,
but little did we realize
that night we all would cry.
My father lost his life that night
when the floor gave way below,
and I'd wondered why he'd risk his life
for someone he did not know.
But now I truly realize
the greatest gift a man can give
is to lay his life upon the line
so that someone else might live.
So as we go from day to day
and we pray to God above
say a prayer for your local fireman.
He may save the one's you love.
A Fireman's Wife's Prayer
Lord please be at my husbands
side each day as he strives to do
Your will in his service to others.
Watch over him and protect him
when his duties may require danger.
Grant him wisdom, honor, courage and strength. Lord keep him compassionate, kind and patient
as he helps those in need.
Help me to communicate to him my love
and support, and how proud I am to be a
Fireman's Wife.
If you think being a firefighter is tough, try being a firefighters wife.
Robert served with pride and dedication for 32 years. He was a founding member, had served terms as a Director, and in all line officer positions. During several of these years Robert also served with the Rutherford County Traffic Control. He was a leader in the Mount Pleasant CME Church. On May 27 2005, the church dedicated its new bell tower to his memory. Robert will long be remember by all whose lives he touched.
