Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 1, 2009

Here it is Wednesday already and I haven't gotten to tell you about my fun day on Sunday at the Firemen's Communion Breakfast at St. Thomas Moore's Church in Morris Township, NJ.

I got to wear my new Class A uniform. Parts of this uniform were given to me but the pants and hat are brand spanking new! You can't see that I had to wear something unique to me...my black skull belt under my jacket.

It was awesome being honored during the Mass. There were three local fire departments besides ours that participated in the Mass. Afterwards, we went to Xavier Hall at the College of St. Elizabeth for breakfast (I hope I got that name right). There were many local fire department dignitaries there, as well as some local politicians. After we started breakfast, we had a speaker from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (http://www.firehero.org). He presented about what seemed like 50 slides showing the special weekend in October in Emmitsberg, Maryland, honoring the families of fallen firefighters. As I watched the highlights on The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it hit me how there is such a close link to the military and firefighters. All for the common good, and to protect and serve.

No one was sheltered from the feelings the slides evoked in us. Seeing a child receive a flag from a captain, or watching a procession, just makes you realize how many heros are out there. Many of those heros are family members of the victims - they have to continue their lives, raising children, taking care of parents, knowing they are doing so without their loved one.

I wore my Class A uniform when I went to visit my daughter that day at the detention center, so she could see how proud I was to be part of such a special day. It made me feel proud to wear that uniform. Now I get it - why it has to be just so.

Funny thing is during breakfast I asked my captain if I could open my jacket, take off my jacket, etc. I knew I was wearing an illegal belt so I didn't want to embarass my department. Of course it was okay, but you know I will always remember the guys who told me how your uniform needs to be just so. Seeing the slides with the National Honor Guard and how their uniforms are perfect has created a need for perfection in me.

After the breakfast, I was invited back with everyone else to one of our firehouses to continue the celebration. I opted to go the Firement's Retirement Home in Boonton to get my cookie trays from my CCD class.

It was nice feeling like I belonged.

Later that day, out of the blue, my 15 year old son told me his friend, Tim, had to do an essay on a modern day hero. Do you know he chose me? Although I don't feel like a modern day hero, it was nice to know my son and his friend thought so. Being a parent is like molding play dough.