Magnificent Seven
On the way home from a recent training, I made a stop at 2436 Division Street to share a meal with a few firefighters. The BBQ was solid, the beans were incredible, but the company? That was the real highlight. The kind of laughter and fellowship that leaves you feeling a little lighter, a little more grounded.
But what happened after dinner, close to 8 PM, left an impression I won’t forget. I had stopped by during a month-long challenge where firefighters across the country were pushing themselves to throw an absurd number of ladders. These guys had committed to the challenge but hadn’t yet tackled that day’s work. So, in the dark, they got to it. Not because anyone was watching, not because they had to, but because they said they would.
And they didn’t just go through the motions. As a team, they threw 144 ladders that night — 3700 feet of work done under the glow of streetlights and commitment.
Honestly, knowing a handful of those guys, I wasn’t surprised. They’re the kind who always show up, who always get it done. And that’s why, if it ever came down to it, they’re the kind of firefighters I’d trust to show up for my family.
Keep grinding, gentlemen. What you do matters more than you know.
