RETIRED CAPTAIN
PITTSBURGH FIRE DEPARTMENT
THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG
THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG
COURTESY THORNE PETERS
Young and aged volunteer and career, man and woman of all races and colors, you left aching hearts behind
An eternal flame warms your names inscribed on cold, lifeless plaques around this stone cairn In the hearts you left behind your memories abide in undying gratitude
You asked nothing more You knew the risks, served without fear and paid the highest price
You embody a quality of which many only dream Your selflessness for others is now your eternal crown
O fallen comrades, give us all this quality that we may more fittingly prolong your memory
Anonymous June 1999 National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Emmittsburg, MD
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AN UNHAPPY VALENTINE'S
MEMORIES OF THE PAST
WHO-WHAT AND WHERE ABOUT PITTSBURGH,PA
ABOVE ARTWORK COURTESY PAUL WALSH
"I HAVE NO AMBITION IN THIS WORLD BUT ONE,AND THAT IS TO BE A FIREMAN.
THE POSITON MAY,IN THE EYES OF SOME,APPEAR TO BE A LOWLY ONE;
BUT WE WHO KNOW THE WORK WHICH A FIREMAN HAS TO DO BELIEVE HIS IS A
NOBLE CALLING.
OUR PROUDEST MOMENT IS TO SAVE____LIVES.
UNDER THE IMPULSE OF SUCH THOUGHTS THE NOBILITY OF THE OCCUPATION
THRILLS US AND STIMULATES US TO DEEDS OF DARING,EVEN OF SUPREME
SACRIFICE"
Edward F. Crocker Chief of Department F.D.N.Y. 1899-1911
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ABOVE ARTWORK COURTESY PAUL WALSH
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ABOVE ARTWORK COURTESY PAUL WALSH
DEDICATED TO MY FALLEN BROTHERS
Peace be with you Oh stalwart souls, now passed beyond our view, Who chose a life of service, then valiantly did pursue- To mold yourself with purpose, and with a careful plan, Did the very best you could, to help your fellow man. Peace be with you Oh brave of heart, who ne'er did turn your back- Oh frantic cries, as flames leaped high, and courage they did lack. Tho fear was with you always, be it day or be it night. When the call did come you answered, with a prayer to win this fight. Peace be with you Compassionate man, who never quite recovered- When precious life was needlessly lost, the fire too late discovered. As you tried to comfort the weeping, tears streaking your smoke blackened face, Brave men were valiantly keeping watch on that smoldering place. Peace be with you O leader of men, whose example they might follow. How careful your steps, thru life had to be, lest they found your success to be hollow. In your hands the power, to shape and to mold, to be what you would have them to be. Success or failure, no watter which one, remains for the whole world to see. Peace be with all Who remain here on earth, with memories and deep felt devotion. For they have not gone-but merely passed on- To a well-earned and greater promotion. And the Master did say, we will meet Him one day, If the challenge of life we have won. So we can be sure, He will open the door, and say- "Enter in, your job was well done." by Eleanor Gehrke de Korver
A CHILD'S ROLE MODEL TO CONSIDER
Without fanfare, they do their job. Sometimes putting their lives on the line in the process. There is much to admire about these men and women. From part-time rural volunteer to full-time big-city professional. From the trainee to the Chief. From the fire fighter to the fire marshal.
To even qualify for this demanding work, they have to be physically strong. Dedicated. Intelligent. Resourceful. Highly motivated. And, yes, unselfish. Because they're certainly not in it for the money.
At a time when many of us bemoan the lack of heroes, we suggest all of us look down the street to the men and women who protect you and your neighborhood from the ever-present dangers of fire.
Those role models for our kids? They've been there all along. God bless the fire fighters of America.
Remembering a Firefighter
"Hey Mom!" he yelled from the attic door
"What’s these old boots and hard hat for?"
With a lump in her throat and a tear-stained cheek,
His mother swallowed and started to speak.
"Come here, my son", his mother said,
"There’s things to tell when I clear my head."
The past raced madly through her mind.
She searched her heart, the words to find.
At last she sighed and rubbed his hair
And the words that followed I’d like to share.
"Those old boots and hat", she said with pride,
"Were worn by a man with grit inside.
He wore them to help people in need,
Though facing danger, would never concede,
Many a time in the dead of night
He jumped in those boots and flashed out of sight
To answer a call and not knowing for sure
What danger or heartache he may have to endure.
Your father, my son, was not like most dads;
It was mainly because of the job he had.
His life was devoted to all of mankind,
And just why he chose it is unclear in my mind.
But I’m proud to say that I was a part
Of a man who possessed such a courageous heart.
Though, for all his discomfort and all of his pain
The time he spent here was never in vain.
So the memories I’ll keep and the love I will save,
Though small consolations for the life that he gave.
Your father’s days here made others seem brighter,
For your father, my son, was a firefighter."
In Memory of Lieutenant Lawrence "Ju Ju" Roche
Died on the fire scene August 27, 1996
Harahan Fire Department, Harahan, Louisiana
"Hey Mom!" he yelled from the attic door "What’s these old boots and hard hat for?" With a lump in her throat and a tear-stained cheek, His mother swallowed and started to speak.
"Come here, my son", his mother said, "There’s things to tell when I clear my head." The past raced madly through her mind. She searched her heart, the words to find. At last she sighed and rubbed his hair And the words that followed I’d like to share.
"Those old boots and hat", she said with pride, "Were worn by a man with grit inside. He wore them to help people in need, Though facing danger, would never concede, Many a time in the dead of night He jumped in those boots and flashed out of sight To answer a call and not knowing for sure What danger or heartache he may have to endure.
Your father, my son, was not like most dads; It was mainly because of the job he had. His life was devoted to all of mankind, And just why he chose it is unclear in my mind. But I’m proud to say that I was a part Of a man who possessed such a courageous heart.
Though, for all his discomfort and all of his pain The time he spent here was never in vain. So the memories I’ll keep and the love I will save, Though small consolations for the life that he gave.
Your father’s days here made others seem brighter, For your father, my son, was a firefighter."
In Memory of Lieutenant Lawrence "Ju Ju" Roche Died on the fire scene August 27, 1996 Harahan Fire Department, Harahan, Louisiana
