Heroes all

Yesterday's news that 9 firefighters in Charleston, SC perished while doing their job has to grip your heart. I watched the news as their chief fought back tears in a press conference. He referred to them as among his best friends.

Everybody loves firefighters. They're the ones who go running into burning buildings when everyone else is running out. It's part of their DNA to do whatever is necessary to save lives. What little boy doesn't go through the stage when his dream is to be a firefighter?

As heroic as they are, they're also mortal. And sometimes (more often than we realize) they die in the line of duty. While they never plan for it, every firefighter knows it's a very real possibility. When the alarm sounds he/she never knows if it might be their last. But they are willing to take that risk for you and me.

Tomorrow at 10AM as many as 30,000 are expected to attend a memorial service, many of those will be firefighters from across the nation. I can't attend. You probably can't either. But here are a couple of things you can do:

• Pause for a moment of prayer at 10:00 eastern time and remember the families and friends of these 9 brave men.


• Stop by your local firehouse sometime tomorrow and just say "Thanks". They're not looking for it, but they appreciate it. (And if you take along a cake or some cookies you'll really brighten their day.)


• When you see or hear a siren approaching, pull over to the right and let them by. And as you do give up a prayer for their safety.