Folks when I saw this I will admitt there were tears in my eyes, I am more with Search and rescue now more that a firefighter, I was in my youth with san berdino fire dept, big river calif, engin 17.
I could say thanks a million times over but its not enough, times are tough but they will get better, we have 19 funerals to do, before the healin can begin,
hear is a poem the auther is unkown to me
The firefighter stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you firefighter, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been True?"
The firefighter squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't because those of us who fight fire, Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough
But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand, I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod As the firefighter waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now you firefighter, You've borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.