"The Turnouts"
		His turnouts still sit on the chair, hat dangles near by. His dust covered boots stand guard. It's his memorial, all that's left to say, "I was here. I did my part." Since childhood, being one of the 'good guys' was all that he strove for. To follow in his father's footsteps. To make his dad proud. At academy, he scored high and graduated near the top of his class. It took weeks before he actually met his nemesis/best friend, Fire, face to face. And he did well. Although no call was like the last, it became a routine he lived for. He would never call himself hero. That was a term he used to describe others. Then the call came that would change the course of history and his own life. He was there. He did his part. His father is proud. His turnouts still sit on the chair, hat dangles near by. His dust covered boots stand guard.
				GlassPoet ~2002~
My father was a Battalion Chief and my ex, an Engineer, both in Southern California. Firefighters have a special place in my heart.