To the editor:
These are the patriots: The men and women who answer the call when the tones and the alerts go out.
Fiercely patriotic, ready to show up for the crisis of the moment, and filled with love of community, these men and women stand ready to keep a community going. These are the volunteers! With the Fourth of July around the corner these are the people who defend against unseen threats. Who can predict a fire? Who can foresee a heart attack?
In communities far and wide, these are the people who make it possible for the rest of us to live at peace. Whatever the threat to the safety of the home, these volunteers will defend that idyll with the last full measure of their devotion.
Red, white and blue are colors that have defined this nation for 239 years. As each new community has been built and grown, men and women together have formed companies to defend against uncontrolled fire. Morning, noon, and night these patriots defend their communities so that there is a home for all. They are the ordinary. Your street sweeper to your doctor to your teacher they thrive in the mundane. Yet, when the tones go out in the wee bleak hours of the night they step to the fight. These are the volunteers!
Wielding hoses and axes they fight the fires of catastrophe that would seek to destroy a community. Humble to a one, every one of them is proud to carry the flag forward to the next hilltop, the next mountain. When one goes down it is felt by all. These are our patriots. As we celebrate another year of joys and sorrows, remember the humble patriot who steps forward when the alert tones sound. The hearth and life they save could be …
Thanks to all the volunteers for the help.
Orpheus Allison
Castle Hill
