Bravery!

In the song “The Impression That I Get”, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones sing “I’m not a coward, I’ve just never been tested. I’d like to think that if I was I would pass”. I like to think that the vast majority of people would step up when faced with circumstances and an opportunity to help someone else. I think it’s part of human nature.

But what makes a person take it to the next level? What makes a person want to put their life on the line for others? Is it still human nature at that point? Do these people have a “bravery” gene that the rest of us don’t?

On June 6th I was able to attend the annual Medal Day ceremony for the Fire Department of New York. It’s probably the most important day of the year for New York’s Bravest. The FDNY consists of more than 11,000 men and woman all of whom have decided that they are willing to put their lives on the line for others. And on this day, less than 50 of them would be singled out for being as Mayor Bloomberg stated, “The Bravest of The Brave”.

Gathered at City Hall were about 1,000 of New York’s Bravest to cheer on their brethren and their families. It was an impressive site and an emotional day. But for me the day was more about someone who wasn’t there than all those who were.

Trust me, listening to the stories of what these medal winners did to earn this honor was powerful and I listened to each with an intensity and attentiveness that I only wish I had during my school years. When my brother in-law Gary, a Lieutenant, received his medal a chill ran down my spine. I watched the faces of my wife and her parents & brother as they stood with Gary’s wife and 2 sons as the Master of Ceremonies described the conditions on that September day in 2006 when Gary risked his life to save another. How Gary crawled around a basement floor with the room ablaze and with zero visibility to find the man unconscious, allowing his training and instincts to take over and bring that man out. But that’s not who I’m writing about.

This isn’t about Firefighter James Byrne who received the highest medal awarded that day for saving a fellow Firefighter in terrible conditions in January 2006. It’s also not about Firefighter Larry Schneckenburger who ran between two men firing handguns at each other so that he can get a group of children and their teachers back into the school they had just exited.

While these men and all the other recipients deserve to be recognized even more than they were that day at city hall, this is about one medal winner that I feel should be singled out. Firefighter Walter Powers was honored on medal day for his ability to stay focused during extreme conditions and performing his duties in the highest tradition of the FDNY.

However, Firefighter Powers was not on hand to receive his medal. That’s because he is currently being referred to as Lieutenant Colonel Powers, United States Marine Corp, as he serves his SECOND tour of duty in Iraq. His wife with their 2 sons, along with his father, accepted the award on his behalf. You need to understand that as each medal winner is announced and walks to the stage his particular engine, ladder, truck, house, or battalion goes nuts for them. But when Firefighter Powers family walked on stage the entire place erupted. As his wife walked by me she was smiling and crying all at once. His father, clearly as proud as could be, struggled a bit to hold back his emotions.

If these men were as the Mayor said, “The Bravest Of The Brave”, what does that make Firefighter Powers? Is he the Bravest of the Bravest of the Brave? After you’ve been through Hell Week to join the Marines is the training on Randall’s Island for the FDNY just considered a workout?

What makes a man want to run into burning buildings? What makes a man want to run into enemy gunfire? Maybe there really is a “Bravery” gene. If so does Firefighter Powers have an extra one? Or two for that matter!

Here’s a stat I bet you didn’t know. Over 250 members of the FDNY have been called to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom! One of them, Firefighter Christian Engeldrum gave his life in Iraq. Another, Firefighter Michael Reilly made it back from Iraq, but was killed in the line of duty working for the FDNY.

On June 7th, the day after the ceremony, I read my NY Newspaper. I was anxious to see the group picture of the Medal winners, and maybe even a list of each winner so I can bring it home to show my wife. I flipped through the stories on Paris, Brittany & Lindsey. I went past the coverage of Congestion Pricing and some information on frivolous lawsuits. I finally found the coverage of Medal Day. It was less than half a page and was dedicated to Firefighter Byrne who deserves every bit of coverage he gets. But that was it. Nothing on the rest of the winners. No group picture. Of course the Mayor got mentioned. But where was the story of Firefighter Powers?

So on July 4th as many of us celebrate our independence, either at the beach, or at the pool or at a BBQ, keep in mind Firefighter Powers. He’ll be walking in sand too, but fighting for someone else’s independence. I know his wife and 2 sons, along with his dad and the rest of the family will be thinking about him.

You won’t read about him in the way he should be written about, by a real writer. But hopefully you had the chance to read about him here.

As always, until next time, stay safe!

later,
dan

"My karma tells me, You've been screwed again! If you let them do it to ya, you've got yourself to blame! It's you who feels the pain! It's you who takes the shame!"