Honor the devotion, risks of firefighters
International Firefighters Day was Saturday, May 4.
Firefighters are everyday heroes. They run in while everyone else is running out. They put their lives on the line every single shift they work. They do this for people they do not know and sometimes for people they do.
Every time they run out the door, there is a realistic possibility that they may not come home at all or ….
They may not come back in one piece - I know because mine didn't come back in one piece. One fateful morning mine ran out to help someone in an overturned truck. On their way to the scene, the brakes failed on the firetruck and they crashed into a brick building. That one second changed our lives forever. His, mine, our two wonderful children.
Twenty-nine years, countless surgeries, two right hip replacements, two right knee replacements, one left knee replacement - excruciating pain - every single day. He had to retire from the fire service because he can't crawl, run, stand or walk for any long periods of time. This was a time when it was still paid on call so no pension - nothing.
Firefighters do the job for the love of the job - not for money, fame or recognition. He still absolutely loves the fire service - it's in his blood. It's in all their blood. He proudly follows our son and son-in-law in their fire service careers - both following in their fathers' footsteps.
From the bottom of my heart, I love, honor, appreciate respect my firefighters more than words can ever say … I am so very proud of them.
The next time you see a firefighter please thank them for their service. The sacrifice is unbelievable. They ARE heroes.
Kim Meier
East Dundee