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What
is a fireman? He
is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has
never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger. He
is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams. Yet
he stands taller than most of us. He
is a fireman. He
puts it all on the line when the bell rings. A
fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men. He
is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death. He
is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of
control. He
is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many
small bodies that will never laugh again. He
is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in
numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond
feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless
service of a job well done in the name of all men. He
doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities. When
he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade. He
doesn't preach the brotherhood of man. He
lives it. Author unknown
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