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Giving As Much As We Have

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"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." – Arthur Ashe

The facts are not in yet from Asheville, yet I can say this with certainty.  A man, just like any of us, woke up the other morning and got ready to go to work.  He probably went through his morning routine like we all do, kissed the wife and kids, drove to work, and reported in.  He likely threw his gear on the rig and checked out his equipment, without a thought that in a few hours he would be gone.

As the Bible says, we do not know the day nor the hour.  We need to prepare as if every day were the day.  But our choice to serve isn't for the money or the fame or the worship as heroes.  We know these things aren't the reason we do the job. And as Chief Croker said, the greatest act of heroism is when we don that badge; after that, it is what we are expected to do.  Hopefully we are never called to sacrifice our lives in the line of duty, but God fobid, if that event occurs, we should make that sacrifice only to save another.

Continue to reach out to these folks and to the families and friends of our other departed brethren and keep them in your prayers.

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Posted by on July 30, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • Wayne Bailey

    ASHEVILLE — Visitation for Asheville Fire Department Capt. Jeff Bowen is 6-9 p.m. today at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. It is open to the public.
    Members of the community can pay their respects to Bowen during a procession this afternoon. Asheville Fire Department vehicles will escort Bowen’s casket from Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue to Biltmore Baptist, according to a news release issued by the city on Sunday.
    The procession is scheduled to leave the funeral home around 3:30 p.m. The route is as follows: Patton Avenue to Louisiana Avenue to Haywood Road to Brevard Road to Clayton Road. All intersections will be blocked during the escort, and motorists should expect delays. The community is encouraged to line the route in safe areas.
    Tuesday’s memorial service, also at Biltmore Baptist, will begin at 11 a.m. Parking will be available at the church and at Roberson High School, with a shuttle provided from the school. Following the service, Bowen’s body will return to Groce Funeral Home along the previous procession route. Intersections will be blocked during the escort and significant traffic delays are expected between noon-2 p.m.
    The family has requested that no photographs or video be taken inside the church at the visitation or the memorial.

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