February 11 - “A Walk of Honor”

Yesterday I had the privilege of being involved in a Walk of Honor. Our firefighter who died was becoming a transplant donor for multiple organs. The word was disseminated not only throughout the hospital, but also throughout the Fire Department. By the time the transplant team came to take him to the operating room, there was a host of firefighters standing along the walls at attention in their class A uniforms, saluting. Scores of hospital personnel joined them, standing in silence, lining the halls. The line stretched from the ICU room where he has been since he was admitted to the elevator. It picked up again outside the elevator on the surgical suite floor. He was accompanied by fire department honor guard members, family and friends, and an entourage of fire department escorts. The two honor guard members gowned up and went out into the surgery room with them to guard over Andy while the preparations were begun for the transplants.

 

Meanwhile the vast array of the firefighting family met in the waiting room to share hugs and handshakes. Many stayed until hospital personnel confirmed that the procedure was complete. All in all, it was a moving and powerful experience to be a part of. I was certainly proud of the Galveston Fire Department.

 

Many thanks to the other area fire departments who stood in for our guys on shift so that they could be a part of the Honor Walk. I know Jamaica Beach was on call to cover the West End.

 

Thank you for your service to the department, Andy, and for the wild and crazy spirit you brought to whatever gathering you were a part of. You will certainly be remembered.  Or, to put it another way … you are most assuredly one of the Hard to Forget Ones.

 

Jude 1:20-21 says, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

 

Father, thank you for the expressions of comradery and family shown by the firefighting family. Please bless these guys. Amen.