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Students Honor Policemen & Fireman
Atlantic News, Thursday, June 6, 2002
[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News]
(Editor’s Note: These two essays, "The American Policeman" and
"What is a Fireman?" were presented to Hampton Police Chief
William Wrenn and Fire Chief Hank Lipe, respectively, during
Marston School’s recent Police and Fire Assembly, held by Marston staff and students to honor and celebrate the departments’ service and dedication to the community.
The essays are accompanied here by a comment offered in appreciation by Hampton Veteran and Lane Memorial Library History Volunteer John Holman, who compiled the histories of the police and fire departments into separate binders and presented them to the two chiefs during ceremonies held at the library.)
The American Policeman
Everyday, policemen go to work, they serve their country and the
people in more ways than recognized.
By their mere presence, they protect and serve the citizens of
every city and state and deter criminal activity.
Their call to duty lies deeper than what the public witnesses.
Every day, every shift, every hour, their lives are put at risk.
Inside their hearts, they have pride, courage, honor and loyalty.
From issuing a citation to a traffic offender, to fighting the most
violent criminals, they’re here to make the streets and neighbor-
hoods safe.
Safe, so that Old Glory may fly proudly.
Safe, so that the President and Congress can effectively govern
America.
Safe, so that the soldiers may live in peace to protect our country
from foreign enemies.
Safe, so that citizens may tour the country, learn the history, and
visit monumental sites that gave America freedom.
Safe, so those families can peacefully live.
One day could be quite peaceful, while the next could be time to
"rock and roll."
That is why they must never go against the brotherhood that is
formed.
City, State, or Federal, all police, nationwide, have a common bond.
A special comradeship.
They are their own family.
One must never leave a brother behind, become a quitter or,
worse yet, a coward.
Lead, follow or get out of the way.
When their shift is over, they hang up their gun belts, take off
their badges, and return home to their families.
But, their service never ends.
It continues, to make it safe, for YOU.
What is a Fireman?
He is the guy next door — a man’s man with the memory of a little boy.
He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens
and danger.
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of
men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child’s laughter because his arms have held
too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life:
hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers;
a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling;
a camaraderie of brave men;
the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name
of all men.
He doesn’t wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn’t preach the brotherhood of men. He lives it.
In Appreciation
The events of 9-11 give us a renewed sense of appreciation for the
fire and police departments in our nation.
The happenings of today are tomorrow’s history and must be preserved and not forgotten.
There is a need to collect, share and record these moments, people and events for future generations to come.
The men and women in our fire and police departments deserve to be remembered, praised and recognized in keeping our towns, cities and country safe and free for all generations.
Thank you, and God bless America.
John [& Connie] Holman
HORSE SENSE — In a school-wide contest held to name Hampton’s newest mounted police horse, Marston student Michael Sullivan’s suggestion of "Patriot" was selected as the winning entry. Pictured here with Michael are (from left) Officer Tim Hamlen on "Peacock," Officer Joe Jones on "Patriot," and Officer Andy Joweft on "Blaze." Contest finalists included Lindsey Preston ("Freedom") and Kathy Misserville and Alexa Franzoso ("Justice"). The top names were selected by a committee that included members of the mounted police force and Hampton Town Manager James Barrington.
[Atlantic News Photo by Liz Premo] |
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