Note- Not one “I”, “me”, “my”, “we”, “what I did’s” in this article.

Parroting is easy.

Thoughts and prayers and climbing stairs is simply not enough,

Less of “me” and more of “thee” is what separates the weak from the tough.

Become a hollow mouthpiece, get the sticker, t-shirt, and tattoo if you must,

But me?  I’ll make sure the brave 343 won’t be shaking their heads in disgust.

Is anyone else sick of reading all the repulsive crap regarding Never Forget?  People calling attention to themselves with helmet stickers, t-shirts, tattoos, blogs, facebook posts, me, my, we, etc.  It’s a revolting “tribute” to themselves- and most certainly not what the 343 deserve. 

Of all the hundreds of “tributes” of walking billboards and parroting of phrases posted yesterday, only one (ONE) seemed to go beyond and describe how a change in our everyday behavior truly demonstrates an understanding of “Brotherhood”, and of “Never Forgetting.” 

Read yesterday’s “A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy” article entitled “Remembering With Our Actions” from a good friend, DC Jason Hoevelman.  Jason’s words on the way to truly “never forget” were the ONLY ones worth their salt while swimming through the putrid soup yesterday:

Don’t just call each other Brother, act like one every day.

Be physically and mentally fit

Be engaged everyday in our profession, don’t just act proud, show your pride by engaging

Learn something about our profession every day no matter how small or large the task

Pass on the lessons of those that taught us, share and give much to those who come after you

Stand up for what is right even when it goes against what’s “popular”

Be excellent at whatever you do; not all firefighters will be officers, but whatever you aspire to, be the best at it–everyday!

Encourage and teach those younger than you, don’t degrade them-they are our future

Be involved–see a problem, be a part of the solution

Leave our fire service better than it was when you entered it

Now go be a Brother- and never forget.

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