[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bizdoc

As many of you have noticed (and some commented upon), I'm not always exactly nice in all of my comments. I say this because I'm sure that I will irritate a few folks with what I have to say.

I think part of what villagesff if trying to tell you is that "thank you for your service" is nice, but it rings hollow when the next line is something like "and why are you being paid so much to sleep, read comic books, and do nothing..." And, I understand that feeling. Kind of like saying "well, you got paid to sleep in that foxhole, didn't you?"

Men and women who become firefighters do so because the things that make them tick. They don't do it for glory or to get rich. That having been said, they are very aware that they pay for what they do each day with their bodies. When their bodies are used up, we thank them and send them off into the sunset. Except that they still have families and themselves to support and not many jobs are out there for banged up retired firemen. (and for those of you who think that is silly, ask a retired soldier why you don't see 60 year old infantrymen. In the old days, that is exactly what used to happened to old soldiers and sailors - they served until they were too broken down to do anything.)

Saying thanks is nice. What would be nicer would be to write the CDD folks and express that maybe we need to provide better retirement options or longevity pay increases. Stop by and drop off some home baked cookies or muffins or whatever with a note that says "I sleep better at night because I know you folks have my back." When your club or organization is looking for a project, consider doing something for the children of our firefighters.

And don't jump on one that speaks from their heart. Be grateful that he or she has the courage to do so.

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