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Post by Gator on Jul 25, 2003 2:08:18 GMT -5
On July 7th of this year,Paramedic/Firefighter Eric Smith passed away at his dad's in Houston.Eric was at one time employed at the same company as myself.I got the privledge of partnering with him on a couple of occasions.He wasn't like some of the "para-gods" you meet in the field. He was secure enough to allow me to work WITH him, & not trying to make me work for him.He was quiet at the station,though.Never talking much,but always attentive if you had something to say. My regret is that I feel I never took the time to know him.Maybe that's just grief talking.Like I said,I never really knew him,but he had my respect.He exemplified what is is to be an emergency worker,to respond to the call for help,not because you want to look good, but because you have a sincere desire to help your nieghbor.Alot of us talk that talk, but how many of us walk the walk.Eric Smith did.Rest In Peace.
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Post by Gator on Sept 11, 2004 11:12:08 GMT -5
Courage can best be defined as experiencing fear of action, yet taking action. On September 11, 2001, Americans from all walks of life showed awe inspiring courage. Some were bound by duty, educated on traumatic events enough to know that what they were heading into, they had a very real chance of not coming back out. They went in anyway.May God bless you, each and every one. Some were civilians, thrust into the moment by fate. Through phone calls to emergency dispatchers and loved ones, the passengers of flight 93 learned of their impending doom, as well as the potential fate of those on the ground. Their response was not one of cowering, not one of surrender. Their ultimate sacrifice for the lives of people the never knew or would never know serves as an example of courage to us all. For me, one picture brings to life, that example of courage and sacrifice. www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/people/1601.html Seeing the love in a father's eyes for his new daughter, knowing that the longing to be with his family again was crushing, telling his wife to take care of their daughter and to live a good life, he put the phone down and stepped into history. I dont mind telling you that even 3 years later, having never met these people, I still cry in recalling these events. Thank you all, more than these inept words can express.
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