THE FALLEN
It was Friday evening at the local fire hall
When eight brave members answered the call
The chief and a captain had just dropped in
While six of the guys worked out in the gym
They were laughing and joking, carrying on
When over the speaker the tones came on
Their fellow firefighters just down the road
Had a big old house, burning out of control
The very next statement opened all eyes wide
They thought there were still people inside
With the chief and a driver in the front of the pump,
Two more into the tanker quickly did jump
While in the back of the pump four donned BA
They responded to dispatch and were off on their way
The drivers were good, with calm, steady hands
The mask men in back put together their plans
Then the neighboring chief gave a radio update
Which chilled the hearts of our brave eight
The fire was heavy, burning hot and hard
And four of his men hadn't made it out to the yard
A cold silence settled over them all
While soft white snow started to fall
They pulled on scene in the fire's orange light
And quickly, efficiently joined in the fight
All the residents were out, safe with friends
But still uncounted were four brave men
Our guys in masks headed for the door,
And quickly found one lying still on the floor
The lines were recharged, flame turned to steam
As into the blaze crawled our two search teams
Some said they were angels, sent from above
While others said they did it from love
They found the rest, two still alive
But one other to no more fires would drive
Now the fires out, smoke rises from the ground
And snow falls softly on two still mounds
As one our eight, with their firefighting brothers
Knelt in the snow to honor the others
Two brave firefighters who gave of they're best
Three days later, were laid to their rest
The drive to our station was silent and still
As each of us pondered God's silent will
We still answer calls, more than a few
But each time we roll, we think of those two
Dedicated to the memories of the fallen heroes of FDNY, our brethren, September 11th, 2001. We will remember them.
FF Michael J. Hilliard
October 2nd, 2001