The Profile of a Hero (A Tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots)

After spending almost 12 years as a First Responder my heart is always broken when news comes out about any sort of emergency service member losing their life.  The loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots was especially hard as it is local and I have friends who knew many of these guys.  My hearts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones as their pain must be unbearable.  For what its worth, we all love you guys.

If I may split hairs for a moment, I'd like to comment a bit on the idea that these 19 men were heroes because they were firefighters.  I'd like to suggest that they were already heroes who happened to become firefighters.  I realize that these men will be immortalized and remembered for the job they did, but lets not forget that its still just a job and that there is and was so much more to who they each were.  The same can be said for any First Responder.  The job doesn't make them great, they were great when they chose the job.  One of the most terrible ironies of death is that it is often the only way for true greatness to be exposed and appreciated.  Last weekend, nobody knew the names of any of these men.  They were just a group of average guys doing the job they loved.  Sadly, due to the tragic circumstances of their death, it is only now that the world will learn of the types of human beings they already were.  It is only now that they will receive the recognition they already deserved.  Death, you are hated for the immeasurable pain you inflict, but for some strange reason you must also be respected as you also can bring the honor due to a great life that it might have never received without you.

What a horrible trade for the families.  To trade a quiet, unassuming life to live with your hero in your arms or have them taken from you to the applause of the world for how great they were.  This week is just one more testament that it is how one lived that makes them a hero not how they died.  Sadly, thought, it seems like it is death that often provides the needed spotlight.  In the midst of this let's not forget their sole surviving brother.  May you Brendan McDonough not be forgotten in all of this.  May you receive comfort in your pain and may we all recognize you for the hero you are as well.

Godspeed to each of you gentlemen......and I pray that we don't forget to remember how you lived along with how you died.