Why we stand tall

some things will change

while others always stay the same

the landscape is changing

the red devil never straying

we fight a battle with a war never won

a fire has gone out but there is always another one

we lose soldiers all too frequently

what are we fighting for some will never see

some say our job is dangerous

and some do it for free

I will tell you how i feel

and what it means to me

it means my elderly neighbour can sleep at night

knowing we are there in her time of fright

it means the community can not think about what we do

because they can not handle a baby turned blue

it means our children can play and know we are there

in their time of need we always care

but people may criticize what we do

if they only saw if they only knew

some people love us

some people hate

but when they need us

they all appreciate

they never gave us a dollar

and never said thanks

when we put out a fire

or put our life on the flanks

we know why we did it

some people will never know

wearing our hearts on our sleeve

we belong here and it shows

by Dave Decker

A fire wife’s prayer

Heavenly father, I’m asking you to send your angels today
To protect my firefighter husband in a very special way
I ask you to guide his thoughts and actions and keep him free from fear
To bring him home safely again to those who hold him precious and dear
Please show me the way to let him know I’m proud to be his wife
I thank you lord for giving me this man with whom I share my life
To keep those you love safe from harm is a goal that you share
I pray that as he follows in your ways you hold him in your care

A special kind of woman; a cut above the rest, that’s A FIREFIGHTER’S WIFE, rating her among the best.

How many good byes are shouted, without a fond embrace, as duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.

How many meals are ruined… or tender moments disturbed, by the wail of a distant signal, sparking loyalty answered.

It’s a devil of a job, for an angel like this, who… for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss.

She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need, how she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.

She is mother, lover, chauffer and nurse, a living symbol of: “for better for worse.”

Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life, who chose to be the other half of A FIREFIGHTER’S WIFE.

~Unknown Author~

Through these eyes I have seen the miracle of birth and also the tragedies of death.

Through these eyes I have seen the path of destruction that a fire leaves behind. And also the rebuilding of the damage it has caused.

Through these eyes I have seen the crumbled metal of a car accident and also the untouched body that sometimes comes walking out.

Through these eyes I have seen the sadness of loved ones that helplessly stand by watching. And also the excitement when a rescue is successful and no one gets hurt.

Through these eyes I have helped victims that I know and also ones that I have never seen before, while sometimes risking my own safety.

Through these eyes I have seen a new life come into the world and a few hours later, one taken away.

Through these eyes I have seen unprovoked attacks on innocent people and the look of evil in the eyes of the attacker. Through these eyes I have seen a mother praying for her Childs life and also a family relieved that the fight for life was finally over.

Through these eyes I have seen the fear in another Firefighters eyes when the ceiling above them collapses and also the relief when the fire was finally out.

Through these eyes I have seen The fear in a Rookie’s eyes when the building in front of him was just a ball of flames and the pride in his eyes when the fire was knocked down.

Through these eyes I have seen fellow Firefighters joke around after a bad call just to get through it and also fellow Firefighters cry because they had just witnessed something no human being should have to see.

Through these eyes I have seen the heartache and sadness in a human being, and also the pride and relief after a call goes well.

Through these eyes I have seen Firefighters run into a situation that everyone else was running out of.

Through these eyes I have seen a victim start to fade away and then be brought back, and also ones that never had a chance.

I’m not quite sure why, but my eyes were made by god to see awful things yet sometimes see miracles that everyone only dreams of seeing. So whatever his plan may be, I am very proud of what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

By: Jennifer Blake

1. You can tell what type of fire it is by the smell of smoke 10 miles away.
2. You have ever had a heated debate over the color of fire trucks.
3. You have ever spent 10 min trying to force open a door only to have someone come along and open it by turning the handle.
4. You have ever slept in a hose bed.
5. You’ve ever clung to the air horn chord for dear life because the driver is insane.
6. You have ever said, “She’s hot tonight” and not been talking about a girl.
7. You have ever had “yoda ears.”
8. You have ever smoked and there wasn’t a cigarette in sight.
9. You have ever stomped out a fire with your boots because you couldn’t wait for water.
10. Your kids are afraid to get into water fights with you.
11. You have ever uttered the words, “I can break the door if you need me to Cap,” before actually testing to see if it is locked.
12. If you have more toy fire trucks than your kids do.
13. You run towards a dangerous situation and not away from it.
14. You have ever been dressed from head to foot in rubber and it was not a sexual experience.
15. Your idea of ventilation is done with a chainsaw and not a Bag-Valve-Mask.
16. You take great joy in smashing the windows of a car parked in a fire zone or in front of a hydrant.
17. You take pride in the fact that you haven’t washed your gear in years.
18. All the shirts you own say you are a firefighter.
19. The smell of a fire excites you more than sex does.
20. A great stop has nothing to do with a moving vehicle.
21. You roll around in anything that just burned to make your new gear look old.
22. You have ever juggled hot coals with your gloves.

I married a quiet man

I married a sincere man

I married a good man

I married a hard working man

I married a man who some have cried over

I married a man who some mourned over

I married a man with many loves in his life

I married a man with a very big family

I married a man who has left me for others many times

I married a very unselfish man

I married a man who gives more and gets less back

I married a man who does not expect a thank you for a job well done from anyone

I married a man who will lay down his life to save yours

I married a man who may not come home to me one day

I married my HERO!

I married a FIREFIGHTER

By Peggy Redline a firefighters wife.

A Firefighter’s Wife

Chasing flames and saving lives is a firefighters thrill;
And I’ll do this job, the best I can, with the Lords grace and will.
But even though I love the flames, the excitement, and the roar;
There’s someone waiting back home for me, that I love even more.

My best friend, my soul mate, she is the love of my life.
I am so very grateful that she is my wife.
She understands the job I do, but how she hates it so.
I hear her cries, and see her tears, each time I have to go.

As I race to the fire, to battle the beast, I wonder how she is;
And pray to God, to let me return, to feel her tender kiss.
I know she won’t sleep, with her heart filled with strife,
She knows why I must leave her, to go and risk my life.

She would only have to say the word and I would walk away;
And never fight another fire, or keep the beast at bay.
But I know that’s something she’ll never do, she loves the man I am.
She’s proud of me for the lives I save and for my helping hand.

Though someday soon, the Lord may say, this job will take my life;
And I must leave this happiness, of my family and my wife.
Deep down inside I truly doubt that she would change a thing,
As long as we’re together and wearing her fireman’s wedding ring.

–Author Unknown

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

(Firefighter) Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
All the firefighters were asleep,
Even the one called “The Louse”,
The bunk room was filled,
With farts and snores,
With visions of no fires,
Nor calls to pry open doors,
And the Captain had just laid down,
His big fat head,
Hoping and praying
The night would be dead,
When he heard a noise,
Out in the bay,
If it were a burglar again,
What would he say,
As he snuck around the corner,
And stepped onto the bay floor,
He saw a such a sight,
One never seen before,
It was Clause standing there,
Looking at the truck with awe,
The old man was crying,
And quivering his jaw,
The Captain filled with compassion,
Put a hand on his shoulder,
Comforting as he’d done,
Helping others many times over,
He said “It’s ok pops”,
As Santa shivered and cried,
Clause replied “I’m so sorry,
I’m thinking of your brothers, that have died”,
“I stood here looking,
At the soot covered gear,
And thought of them all,
Who advanced with no fear”,
“I thought of the victims,
They’d cut out of cars,
And the drunk that they’d helped,
Who had just left the bars”,
“I thought of your brothers,
Who ran out of air in a fire,
And the ones who have helped,
A child with bike, put air in the tire”,
“I thought of the their families,
Who wonder and worry,
When they leave for work,
In a mighty big hurry”,
“How fireman give selflessly,
In a wreck, disaster, or fire,
How they get the job done,
And never, ever, seem to tire”,
“I bowed my head in silence,
And much to my surprise,
A tear welled up, then more,
‘Till they filled up my eyes”,
“How do you do it Cap?”,
He asked in sadness,
“It’s in our hearts” he replied,
And we do it with gladness.”,
At that time the tones went off,
“Gotta go” said the captain with a sigh,
“Someone’s in trouble,
So I must say goodbye.”
As the crew loaded up,
Old Clause he stood back,
Knowing these firefighters,
Had just left the sack,
As they pulled out the station,
Wiping sleep from their eyes,
A firefighter said “Hey Cap”,
“Was that Saint Nick?” with surprise,
Clause smiled and replied,
“Thanks David, and Michael, Jim and Louse,
Thanks all you firefighters,
Who save peoples house,”
“Thanks Art and Steve,
Harvey, Sherrie, and Ryan,
I don’t know how you do it,
But somehow you keep from cryin’”
“May God keep you safe,
And in the palm of his hands,
Keep you and guide you,
While you serve and protect these great lands”

Written:

1-December-2001
Mark S. Warnick
(Founder and President)

Visit Mark’s Blog – The Warnick House