I lost a dear friend today that I never even knew.
Oh, I recognized the face I'd seen so many times before.
Covered with soot, dirt and sweat and showing the pain
from a body pushed way beyond the limit. I didn't know his
hobbies or his favorite foods; until today I didn't even
know the name. It didn't matter at the moment if the name
was Bill or Larry or Monica or Sue. What mattered most was
that the loss was a fellow firefighter.
You see, being a firefighter is much more than showing
up for work and drawing a paycheck. It's a commitment
to your fellow man to be there when you are needed.
It's a brotherhood of individuals with a common bond of service
to others and a giving of your all so that others don't suffer.
It's rushing into situations that everyone else is doing everything
they can to escape. It's fighting with your entire heart,
body and soul to save the life that is so desparately in need
of your tender, loving care. It's living the very embodiment of
the term "public servant".
My friend lived that commitment to the fullest,
which is how I learned the name. In his final call
he rushed in as he had so many times before. This time
however, he paid the ultimate price. He had always been
there for others, but now we gather for him. This we do
to pay our respects for a hero; not because he died, but
because he lived and served his fellow man well. As we
pay our respects we pause and realize that for some greater
reason unknown to us, there lies my friend instead of me. As
I ponder the events that led me here, words alone cannot express
the intense sorrow and yet, overwhelming pride that is felt.
Until today, I didn't know the name but I knew him well...
My friend was a fellow firefighter.
Dedicated to all who have served their fellow man and made
their final call.
-Dennis Rutledge
Collierville, TN, Fire & Rescue