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April 20, 2008
A Crummy Week Part Seven...
Sunday. The day of rest. A rest from funeral preparations. A rest from funerals. A rest from worrying about a three year old having surgery. A rest from a crummy week.
I look ahead now, and for that I am grateful. I can look ahead to the promise of a better week, as I leave a disastrous one behind.
But before I look ahead, I just want to take one look back, to show you how we bade farewell to Paula, who was taken from us too early.
When Paula left for Seattle to undergo radical treatment for her leukemia, she made a list. Within this list, there were some last requests, should the procedure not go well. (That's Paula, she was always thinking ahead.) She requested that we not grieve for her, rather that we should celebrate her life. And, strangely, feeling sad and depressed, I did. I thought about her, and some of the wonderful things she did for me, and for my department. So we celebrated. Another request that she had was that if she should pass, she wants one last ride on a fire truck.
It was our pleasure, our duty and our honor to grant her request.
Our fire trucks carry a minimum of one thousand gallons of water in their tanks. Since we have larger tanks, our trucks are, naturally, higher than most city trucks. As a result, risers were borrowed from the Concord, North Carolina Fire Department, who assisted in the funerals of two Firefighters who were killed battling a lumber yard fire. These risers are to help assist the Firefighters who will place Paula on top of the fire truck...
We lined up on the left...
And on the right...
...to form two lines, through which Paula would pass, and be placed on the top of the fire truck...
Here is Pumper 251, draped in black bunting...
The fire service is a brotherhood. Here, our brothers from a neighboring department stood by and showed their respect for a fallen Firefighter...
Here are some of our Bravest, ready to grant one last wish...
Paula is getting ready for her last ride on a fire truck...
Paula's family brought in a bagpiper. Nothing sends chills up my spine more than hearing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Paula's family watches...
And now, Paula is ready for her last ride on a fire truck...
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This wasn't a traditional firefighter processional, as Paula's family didn't want that. They were very happy with what we did, having the Chief's vehicle, three fire engines, and an ambulance escort Paula.
Goodbye Paula...We will miss you greatly...
Posted by Jon at April 20, 2008 09:20 AM