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gaopa · 12 March 2008, 10:42 PM

Yesterday a firefighter was laid to rest in our town. His farewell included two ladder trucks with ladders extended over the highway and a flag attached to each ladder. The funeral procession came under the flag. The casket was carried in a firetruck toward the end of the procession. The firetruck with the casket had black cloth covering the front of the truck and a big rose wreath in the center. I had never seen anything like this before and felt it was a very moving send off for this hero. I was covering for our local newspaper.

FBender · 12 March 2008, 11:06 PM

Was his death job related?

SSD · 12 March 2008, 11:32 PM

If this is the Fire Fighter I am thinking of, he was killed in a tragic motor vehicle accident while driving home from his shift. His son was there, and was with him when he passed. He was an experienced veteran, probably responsible for saving hundreds of lives over the course of his career. I do not work in that area, but am in public safety myself and appreciate the respectful note Bill, thank you.

gaopa · 13 March 2008, 02:33 AM

Phil, Jamie is right. This firefighter died in a terrible automobile accident on his way home from his shift at the Gwinnett (GA) Fire Department. He was a well respected member of our small community and will be missed greatly.

Gaijin · 13 March 2008, 05:31 AM

God bless the Firefighters!

I have been to too many police officer funerals some of who were friends, one of whom was a very close friend. I was a pallbearer at his funeral and the night he was shot and killed he had planned to meet me after work for a drink. He never made it.

I am numb. I don't care to ever go to another Police Officer's funeral. About a month ago a co-worker/friend of mine was killed here hit by a semi on the side of the highway. I feel terrible, but I just could not go to his funeral and hear those bagpipes and taps another time.

At all Police Officer funerals the Firefighters show up in droves to honor the Cops. They always bring thier ladder trucks and hang a flag on them as depicted in the photo above. Thanks to them for that and to all for thier service.

I am retiring soon after 22 years on the job. The job has taken years off my life. I am completly fried. Time to move on to happier pastures.

Gaijin · 13 March 2008, 06:01 AM

Sorry, did not mean to hijack this thread that is honoring this Firefighter. Just touched a nerve.

portable75 · 13 March 2008, 06:28 AM

RIP brotha.........

Fellow firefighter

FBender · 13 March 2008, 05:17 PM

Very sad. RIP Brother.

Take care KV and others

WES · 13 March 2008, 08:20 PM

I'm a retired firefighter and have been to a few such funerals. While sad, it's heartwarming to see him honored this way by his brother fellow firefighters and the community.
RIP Brother.

SSD · 14 March 2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

God bless the Firefighters!

I have been to too many police officer funerals some of who were friends, one of whom was a very close friend. I was a pallbearer at his funeral and the night he was shot and killed he had planned to meet me after work for a drink. He never made it.

I am numb. I don't care to ever go to another Police Officer's funeral. About a month ago a co-worker/friend of mine was killed here hit by a semi on the side of the highway. I feel terrible, but I just could not go to his funeral and hear those bagpipes and taps another time.

At all Police Officer funerals the Firefighters show up in droves to honor the Cops. They always bring thier ladder trucks and hang a flag on them as depicted in the photo above. Thanks to them for that and to all for thier service.

I am retiring soon after 22 years on the job. The job has taken years off my life. I am completly fried. Time to move on to happier pastures.

I know exactly how you feel! In 1999 we had a Deputy killed in an accident, and the area fire departments lined the ENTIRE town square of the county seat with engines and trucks (dozens!). My life is probably a little shorter, too. And yes, I will probably always cry upon hearing Taps.

Yet, these brave men & women, who say we are the crazy ones (?), will run INTO a burning building or house just to make sure everyone is out. They'll gladly climb into the mangaled, razor-sharp steel of a car accident to comfort someone with a blanket, and many do it for free because they feel so strongly about it.

You FF guys will always have my respect! Thank you, and my sincerest condolences.

Jamie

JBat · 14 March 2008, 10:37 AM

Thanks for sharing the photos. RIP.

Robb · 14 March 2008, 10:44 AM

RIP. His family is in our prayers!! Terrible to hear!

Tombstone · 14 March 2008, 11:23 AM

I am very sorry to hear of this bad news, I respect the fire and police and the service they give.

The Dude · 14 March 2008, 07:47 PM

Thank you for sharing, very moving tribute

12 March 2008, 11:32 PM	#3
SSD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jamie Location: Georgia Watch: Stainless Sub Date Posts: 3,023	If this is the Fire Fighter I am thinking of, he was killed in a tragic motor vehicle accident while driving home from his shift. His son was there, and was with him when he passed. He was an experienced veteran, probably responsible for saving hundreds of lives over the course of his career. I do not work in that area, but am in public safety myself and appreciate the respectful note Bill, thank you. __________________ SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB ESTABLISHED 1953 TRF Member # 5464

13 March 2008, 06:28 AM	#7
portable75 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: MA Watch: Rolex GMT II Posts: 416	RIP brotha......... Fellow firefighter __________________ GMT Master II 16710 Yatch-Master 16622

14 March 2008, 10:44 AM	#12
Robb 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Robb Location: USA Watch: BLNR Posts: 4,937	RIP. His family is in our prayers!! Terrible to hear! __________________ 126610LN l 166610LV l 126619LB l 116710BLNR l 126710BLRO l 126720VTNR l 126718GRNR l 116500 white l 116500 black l 116508 john mayer l 116519LN l 116503 white l 126655 l 226627 Ti Master l 116518LN

14 March 2008, 11:23 AM	#13
Tombstone "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Richard Location: LV, NV Watch: LV Sub and others Posts: 2,689	I am very sorry to hear of this bad news, I respect the fire and police and the service they give. __________________ Always working...by choice

14 March 2008, 07:47 PM	#14
The Dude Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In my own world Posts: 595	Thank you for sharing Thank you for sharing, very moving tribute

12 March 2008, 11:06 PM	#2
FBender Member Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Phil Location: Perth Australia Watch: LV Posts: 201	Was his death job related?

13 March 2008, 02:33 AM	#4
gaopa "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: NE Georgia Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 1,820	Phil, Jamie is right. This firefighter died in a terrible automobile accident on his way home from his shift at the Gwinnett (GA) Fire Department. He was a well respected member of our small community and will be missed greatly.

13 March 2008, 05:31 AM	#5
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,181	God bless the Firefighters! I have been to too many police officer funerals some of who were friends, one of whom was a very close friend. I was a pallbearer at his funeral and the night he was shot and killed he had planned to meet me after work for a drink. He never made it. I am numb. I don't care to ever go to another Police Officer's funeral. About a month ago a co-worker/friend of mine was killed here hit by a semi on the side of the highway. I feel terrible, but I just could not go to his funeral and hear those bagpipes and taps another time. At all Police Officer funerals the Firefighters show up in droves to honor the Cops. They always bring thier ladder trucks and hang a flag on them as depicted in the photo above. Thanks to them for that and to all for thier service. I am retiring soon after 22 years on the job. The job has taken years off my life. I am completly fried. Time to move on to happier pastures.

13 March 2008, 06:01 AM	#6
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,181	Sorry, did not mean to hijack this thread that is honoring this Firefighter. Just touched a nerve.

13 March 2008, 05:17 PM	#8
FBender Member Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Phil Location: Perth Australia Watch: LV Posts: 201	Very sad. RIP Brother. Take care KV and others

13 March 2008, 08:20 PM	#9
WES Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: Massachusetts Watch: Rolex Posts: 245	I'm a retired firefighter and have been to a few such funerals. While sad, it's heartwarming to see him honored this way by his brother fellow firefighters and the community. RIP Brother.

14 March 2008, 10:37 AM	#11
JBat "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: Washington Watch: 16710, 16610, DJ Posts: 7,329	Thanks for sharing the photos. RIP.

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