Our Local Heroes

We see them on the streets every day. Our local Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Technicians. And the common thread that holds them all together is the 911 Dispatcher. Without this entire group of dedicated professionals society wouldn't be fit to live in. These are our "First Line Responders" of Homeland Security. Yet, because they are so common to us we don't appreciate them as we should. That is exactly why I made this "Tribute" page, just for them! These fine men and women are just as much part of "America's Brave" as our Armed Forces personnel.

Please take the time to read this entire page. I know it's a lot to read, but you will be glad you did! After you do, you may have a new found respect and admiration for "Our Local Heroes". It takes a special breed to work in these fields day after day, nights & weekends, holidays, etc. Remember this the next time you see one on the street and show them your appreciation with a friendly smile or a wave.

***SPECIAL NOTE--- One of my biggest pet peeves is drivers that fail to obey the traffic law regarding approaching "Emergency Vehicles". When you hear those sirens blaring or see those lights flashing, whether it's in front of you or behind you... you are to immediately pull your vehicle over to the right and clear the way. I can't believe how many times I have seen a driver just stop where they are, or worse yet, just ignore the approaching emergency vehicle. If only I had the power to write'em up!

It has to be extremely frustrating to be a rescue worker today, driving under these conditions, and knowing that sometimes SECONDS can decide whether a person lives or dies.

Don't be the driver who held up paramedic long enough that the patient died. Someday it may be your Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Husband, Wife... you get the picture.

A Fireman's Prayer

When I am called to Duty, O God
Wherever flames may rage:
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a 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 effectually
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling Lord
To give the best I can
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property.

And if according to your will
I have to lose my life;
Please bless with your Protecting Hand,
My children and my wife.

~ Author Unknown ~

A Fireman's Wife's Prayer

The table's set,
the meal's prepared,
our guests 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 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 God's help
I can remain my
fireman's faithful mate.

~ Author Unknown ~

What EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement people have to deal with everyday... Makes one thankful we have our faithful civil servants! Thank one today!

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES

I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine. I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time. I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight. I don't want to tell it like it is..... I want to tell them lies.

You didn't put their seat belts on, you feel you killed your kids. I want to say you didn't ... but in a way, you did. You pound your fists into my chest, you're hurting so inside I want to say you'll be OK ...... I want to tell you lies.

You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes. I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind. You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes. I want to say that yes he will ..... I want to tell you lies.

I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke. If you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke. Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive. Don't make me tell you they're all dead ........ I want to tell you lies.

I want to say she'll be OK, you didn't take her life. I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife. You thought you didn't drink too much, you thought that you could drive. I don't want to say how wrong you were...... I want to tell you lies.

You only left her for a moment, it happens all the time. How could she have fallen when you thought she couldn't climb? I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine. I don't want to say she's paralyzed........ I want to tell you lies.

I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain. Because he thought it would be cool to try and beat that train. I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life. I want to say that he'll forget........ I want to tell him lies

You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun. Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done. You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five. I don't want to say she won't see six.......... I want to tell you lies.

He fell into the pool when you went to grab the phone. It was only for a second that you left him there alone. If you'd let the damn phone ring perhaps your boy would be alive. But I don't want to tell you that......... I want to tell you lies

The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn and we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned. Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, they were slowly burned alive. But I don't want to say those words........ I want to tell you lies.

But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through. And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you. You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine. I hope you understand, sometimes............ I have to tell you lies.

Dedicated to all the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Emergency Flight Crews, Hospital Police, Security Officers and all Civil Servants who deal with the tragedies of life and death. The saddest of all, being those that could have been prevented.

And the next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save someone that is loved. We never see the tears of these brave men and women, but God does.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COPS
As you read the following excerpt from an unknown author keep in mind the following statistics:

* We have roughly 700,000 Police officers in the US who create a fine blue line between peace and chaos for hundreds of millions of US citizens.

* 200 of these officers are killed in the line of duty each year, a number that is rising.

* Another 250 officers were shot but saved by ballistics (bullet proof) vests.

* 200,000 police officers are criminally assaulted each year.

* 15,000 of these officers require hospitalization each year.

* 300 police officers commit suicide each year as a direct result of the job.

A POLICEMAN IS....

A policeman is a composite of what all men are, a mingling of saint and sinner, dust and deity. Cold statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscoring instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are news.

What they REALLY mean is cops are exceptional, unusual -- not commonplace.

Buried under the froth is the fact that less than one half of one percent of policemen disgrace the uniform. That's a better average than among the clergymen.

He is of all men, one of the most needed, yet most unwanted. A strangely nameless creature who is "sir" to his face, and "pig" to his back.

In an instant he must make decisions which require months for a lawyer. If he hurries, he is careless, deliberate, lazy. He must be first to an accident, infallible with diagnoses. He must be able to restart breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all be sure the victim goes home without a limp, or expect to be sued.

The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run and shoot where it doesn't hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform, or being brutal.

If he gets hit he's a coward, if he hits you he's a bully, if he's friendly he's a flirt, if not he's a grouch.

A policeman must know everything and not tell. He must know where sin is yet not partake. A policeman is a minister ... social worker ... diplomat ... tough guy ... and a shoulder to cry on. The acting father of a society that offers little support to him in return.

The policeman must from a single human hair, describe the crime, the weapon, and the criminal, and tell you where he is hiding. If he catches the crook he got lucky, if not a dunce.

If he gets promoted he has political clout, if not a dullard.

He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case against a dangerous felon, who will get dealed out by a shameless lawyer, or an honorable judge who isn't.

He also is a genius, for he somehow feeds a family on a cop's salary. A token reminder of societies shameful unwillingness to pay him half of what he's worth.

That is what a policeman is.

And thank God for that.................

A Cop on the Take

First he takes ... the oath.
Now look at what else he takes:

He takes... it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes... his lousy pay check realizing he'll never be rich.
He takes... a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
He takes... time to stop and talk to children.
He takes... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes... time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes... your injured child to the hospital.
He takes... the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes... his life into his hands daily.
He takes... you home when your car breaks down.
He takes... time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes... the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes... in sights that would make you cry.
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
He takes... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
He takes... time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.

Sometimes, he takes a bullet.

And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.

If he is lucky, he takes retirement.

Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.

E.O.W.
(End Of Watch)

The policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord, I guess I ain't, because those of us that carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been violent because the streets are awfully tough."

"But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep."

"And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear."

"If you've a place for me here Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod, as the policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in hell."

~ Author Unkown ~

~ Police Officer's 23rd Psalm ~

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, His comforting hand reduces fear to naught; He makes me walk through streets of crime, But He gives me courage and peace of mind.

He leads me by still waters in the path I trod, And He says in Romans I'm a "minister of God," He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul, For His name's sake He keeps me whole.

When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door, I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more; For Thou art with me every step of the way, As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.

He prepares a table, especially for me, As I work daily among life's enemies; He gives me authority to uphold the law, And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, Each day of my life through eternity; As I long to hear Him say, "Well done...," When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.

~ Author Unknown ~

Many Thanks to...

and to...

These are my "Local Heroes"!

Many Thanks to
George P. Crofton, MSgt, USAF Retired
of
Golden WebPage
for the wonderful award!

October 11, 2006

*FAIR USE NOTICE