A big thank-you

Published on December 13, 2011

The Charter recently attended the annual Placentia Volunteer Fire Department’s dinner and dance, an event we’ve attended for many years.

It is still heartening to see how many people volunteer in this capacity, either as a firefighter or as a member of the ladies’ auxiliary, helping to support the needs of the fire department.

Sometimes, we take volunteers like these for granted. We don’t really stop and think about how much it means to us to have a VOLUNTEER fire department to help save our lives and property when we really need the help.

Attending an event like this certainly brings home the importance of what these volunteers so readily do, putting their own lives at risk at times to help protect members of their own community.

If you stop and think about it, it really is a selfless gift, an immense selfless gift to each and every one of us. Firefighters put their own lives in danger to help protect us and ours. For that invaluable gift, they receive little thanks really. It is obviously not done any concrete reward like money or fame. These volunteers work away, increasing their own skills to help their communities, with the only reward being the good feeling it must be to help save a life, or to help put out a fire in someone’s home.

When you see a firefighter at work, stop and think about what it really means to the community to have such selfless volunteers. Then go thank a firefighter. They undoubtedly deserve it.

The Firefighter’s Prayer

Author unknown

When I am called to duty, 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

And hear the weakest shout