The Fireman's Wife

The table’s set, the meal’s prepared, our guest will soon arrive.  My husband once more disappears with a hope of keeping a child alive.  While waiting at home alone, our plans have gone awry.  My first impulse is merely to sit right down and cry.  But soon again I realize the importance of my life when I agreed to take on the duties of being a fireman’s wife.  While there are many draw backs, I’ll take them in my stride.  Knowing “my daddy saved a life” our children can say with pride.  The gusting winds and raging flames may be his final fate.  But with God’s help I can remain my fireman’s faithful mate.

Firefighter’s 23^rd Psalm

The Lord is my Chief,

God has chosen me to serve.

God leads me to still the fires raging around me.

The Lord restores my soul to fight

even when all seems lost.

God has prepared for me a place in life,

Devoted to service, honor, joy, and fellowship.

The Lord anoints my soul with courage

in the presence of my enemy fire.

Yes, even though I have chosen to walk through life in the shadow of death,

I will fear no fire, for God is with me.

God's strength will comfort me.

And when life's final alarm for me has sounded

I will dwell in the station house of the Lord forever.  Amen.

A Firefighter's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God

Wherever flames may rage,

Give me strength to save some life

Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

Before it is too late

Or save an older person from

The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

To the weakest shout

And quickly and efficiently

To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and

To give the best in me.

To guard my every neighbor and

Protect their property.

And if, when I have done my best,

I am called to Thee

Please bless with your protecting hand

My friends and family.

Firefighter's Hymns

(Tune: Abide with Me)

In fond remembrance gathered here today,

Tribute to pay to brothers passed away;

Garlands of flowers placed upon the dead,

Spring's brightest blossoms deck their quiet bed.

(Tune: Reveille)

When duty called, our brothers they would go,

Ever undaunted, met the fiery foe.

May guardian angels o'er them vigil keep,

While they lie resting in eternal sleep.

(Tune: Taps)

Father in heaven, guide us on our way,

Through storm and sunshine to eternal day;

And when our duty here on earth is o'er

Vouchsafe our journey to the gladdened shore.

The Maltese Cross

            The badge of the firefighter is the Maltese Cross.  The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and its story is hundreds and hundreds of years old.

            When a courageous band of Crusaders, known as the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors.  It was a simple, but a horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the Cross.  The weapon was fire.

            As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing a flammable substance.  Once they became saturated, their enemies hurled a flaming torch into their midst.  Hundreds of Knights were burned alive; others, however, risked their lives to save their brothers from dying.

            Thus these men became our first firefighters.  Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor -- a cross similar to the one firefighters wear today.  Since the Knights of St. John lived for nearly four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.

            Our Maltese Crosses symbolize the protection offered to our community through our service as firefighters.  We also wear these crosses with that prayer that God will protect us this day, as God is with us during each and every difficult time.

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