Friend and Fellow Firefighter

[ashfire]

My friend just passed from this life into the hands of God. He suffered with diabetes and lost a leg because of it.
His family suffered with the tragedies of his father having cancer then taking his life to end the pain and then his younger brother who was also a fellow firefighter dying of a heart attack.
My friend lived a hard life and did what he could to help our department with so many things even with his disability.
He died peacefully while reading a book while his family was out of town visiting other family.
He will be laid to rest this Friday with full fire department services, many of his friends in service will be there.
He served 25 years as a active volunteer member both as firefighter and emergency medical tech. working on the engine, ambulance, heavy rescue squad , boat and brush unit.
If he could he would have rode the ladder truck but that didn't arrive until recently.
He still had a place in our department helping to work and call BINGO
It will never be the same now that he and the few we all knew when we joined have passed on to their rewards.
Remember The Fireman's Prayer

[shooraijin]

I will keep his family in prayer.

[Staci]

I will pray for his family -- both blood and extended through the love of friendship. *hugs*

[Rogie]

I will pray for all of his loved ones during this time.

[wilson1112000]

My friend, I would like to say that I will pray for his family, for your department, and for you. Also, I would like to say that It is an honor to see a firefighter in this area. God bless you, my friend.

[SilverFang]

I am so sorry. I will pray with wat ever I can give.

[ssj2gohan61]

I will also pray

[ashfire]

Well my friend has been laid to rest. His family and many freinds came to see him. His family another firefighter and myself found photos of his life to show from his birth to last photo taken of him. Many stories were said about his life. One was how he helped with the help of our department and a local politician to raise money to help bebuild the home of his neighbors after their home burn to the ground and they were forced to live in camping trailers on their property, where one of the children died of SIDS.
One of his favorite songs was played at the service "Free Bird"
A few of us got up and told of the many stories of our friend and how we got to laugh at some of them.
We then loaded his casket on to the fire engine and the procession was a mile long. Other fire depts blocked intersections and then moved on to meet the procession at other intersections. We past the street where he lived most of his life and then past the fire station where he was a member most of his life from the age of 16 to 47.
We arrived at the cemetery where two ladder trucks had their ladders rasied tip to tip and a large American Flag tied between them. All the fire apparatus that blocked intersections followed in the procession.
All the personnel were called to the grave site and called to attention and saluted as his casket was carried to grave.
His mother was presented his old fire helmet that he wore when he first joined. His old leather.
We all then went back to the fire station where food and drink were served and we talked some more and talk to those that had not been around for awhile. Some of them talk about coming back to get into the working of the department again.
My friend will have many family and friends to welcome him has he walks to the gates of Heaven with hugs and slaps on the back and many will say lets talk about the old times.
I hope that when my days are done here that when I walk to the gates that my friend will walk up to me slap me on the back and say "Lets go talk about old times"