June 10, 2011

June 10, 2011 was a very interesting day. It was the day of the memorial service for the two San Francisco Firefighters that were killed in a house fire last week. It was also the 10 year anniversary of the very first day I worked on the line as a firefighter for my current department. Everything about this day both humbled me and reminded me what a truly incredible honor it is to be a part of this community and family.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/06/10/funeral-for-fallen-firefighters-draws-thousands-to-san-francisco/

As I was getting off work that morning, I drove up to our training center to meet up with other members of my department. We were sending two engines up to SF to be a part of the procession. Each engine had space for 6 firefighters. Because we had more people that volunteered to be a part of the procession than we had spaces for, we had a lottery system to chose who would go. My name happened to be one of the ones chosen. In addition to this we also sent two engines and a truck to run calls in the city, along with other departments from all over the bay area to give all of their department's members a chance to attend the service. Our union chartered a 50 seater bus to give rides to anyone from our department that wished to attend the service. Many more of us carpooled or took the train to the service. This was just one department out of the many that were in attendance that day. Estimates put us at 5,000 uniformed personnel from all over the country, all over the world standing at attention and saluting as the flag draped caskets were carried into the cathedral.

As the rigs in the procession wound their way through San Francisco to the cemetery in Colma, several times I looked out the window in amazement noting that there were fire department rigs as far as I could see both in front of us and behind us. The news reported 50 rigs, but there easily must have been a few hundred. Just as amazing was the show of support from the public. Every over pass was crowded with people waving american flags and holding homemade signs to show their support and gratitude for Vince and Tony. Others on the sidewalks lining the route stood at attention, or brought their children dressed up in firefighter outfits.

http://novato.patch.com/articles/view-of-sf-funeral-procession-from-novato-fire#photo-6527041

Sometimes with all of the politics of late, I tend to forget that the citizens of our communities consider us a part of their extended families as well. It was truly touching to see this incredible show of support.

After the service, as I drove to my academy class reunion, I could only hope that all of this offered some small degree of comfort to the friends, families, and members of SFFD who are grieving the loss of two of their brothers.

At the reunion, we all were that much more aware of the lifelong bonds we forged together 10 years ago, bonds that remain strong regardless of how long it's been since we might've seen each other. We shared stories and laughs and were that much more appreciative of the time we've had together, and the times to come.

Firefighters Vince Perez and Tony Valerio, thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

To the friends, families, and members of the SFFD, my thoughts go out to you and I offer my deepest condolences.