The Beauty of Safety

January 12, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts

I recently wrote a post about the security situation in Iraq over at my own blog, A Soldier’s Perspective, called Pushing Pulling Prodding. I wrote the post on my laptop while sitting in my bed with my laptop (I’m being lazy today).

As I finished the post, I looked over at my wife who is peacefully lying next to me not feeling too well. The kids are downstairs watching cartoons and/or playing. Outside, the Cardinals and Blue Jays are taking turns pecking seeds out of the feeder we have set up for them under the awning of our back yard. The sun is gently seeping through the curtains of our windows and there is still and quiet in the surrounding neighborhood.

Pleasantly absent is the sound of gunshots, explosions and tracked vehicles rolling down the streets in response. We live in a comfortable freedom in this country. It is a net that is guaranteed to us by people from all walks of life and through many different areas. Our shores are relatively safe from the threats of terrorism because we have Soldiers who are willing to put their lives on the line in the name of freedom. Some sacrifice that life for complete strangers and families are left behind to find ways to deal with their loss.

Here at home, we have police officers who put on their uniforms daily to brave the streets of these neighborhoods to provide us with a more localized feeling of safety and comfort. They also put their lives on the line in the accomplishment of their duties and ensure that we are able to feel secure in our own homes. When we are threatened or violated, they are usually quick to do what they can to find those people. Many times they are also called to sacrifice their own lives in the pursuit of these individuals. And they are forgotten and taken for granted in the process.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize our EMT and firefighting personnel, both paid and volunteers, for all they do at all hours of the day and night to keep us alive and our possession safe. It is so easy in today’s volatile international climate where Soldiers are at war to forget these individuals unless you directly benefit from their services. For many of us, our only interaction with the police is when we are pulled over for speeding or some other meaningless violation. Remember, as frustrating and idiotic as it is to have a police force dedicated to writing parking tickets, these people are just doing their job. In some way we are better for it. Soldiers aren’t the only “heroes” in the war against violence.

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2 Comments »

Shannon H. Pennington

January 12th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

Thanks for thinking of us……we do feel the pressure and act in a way for the benefit of our communties without talking about it outside of our circle of care givers…..Law Enforcement/Fire Fighter/ E.M.S. First Responders….it is nice to see the words in print for no other reason than to know that you needed to say them and you thought about us….a rare time out for that……they are said from the front lines of our homes and those we love…..nice touch….F.Y.I. a conference on stress in the Emergency Sercices for Law Enforcement Fire Fighters and E.M.S. is being held in Toronto Ontario Canada on 08 February 2008. I have been invited to give the Fire Fighter p.o.v. on the stress and strain from a P.T.S.D. perspective. We also have a web site located at North American Fire Fighter Veterans Network….where the project F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E. care for the caregivers continues to outreach to our services in the area of stress and acute stress….job burnout and ptsd. We also are trying to reduce and educate people about the losses to suicide in the Emergency Services….If you can…go to the site and check the e newletter and the links pages……in the meantime…..reading that you know and feel our presence protecting your home…your loved ones…..and knowing that you too protect us…..as a soldier……well…enough to say……we are a part of a team …. and continue to work as a team…….in the circle of care and well being for our country and it’s people….and our loved ones at risk…..thanks bro
take care of your self

Shannon H. Pennington B.C.S.M. A.A.E.T.S.;
Senior Chief (Administrative)
North American Fire Fighter Veterans Network
F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E.

February 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 am

an update; Now 22 February 2009

I just returned from a residential 5 day retreat program for firefighters, law enforcement and ems workers who have been deeply impacted from the stress and strain of their jobs. firefighterveteran.com web site has posted a link to the following:
west coast post trauma. If you have some time have a look at them by clicking onto the link on our front page. The drama from trauma that the emergency services live with every day on the front lines of America is real, it is life threatening to them and the consequences of making mistakes carry huge penalties when they are out on operations. Take some time to know the system that is out there to support when the stress becomes so overwhelming that it threatens to take them off the front lines permanently. We cannot afford to loose men and women of this caliber who are the last front line between us and the chaos that will come if they are not out there protecting our lives, our family members and our communties….again thanks for a great posting….

warmly

Shannon H. Pennington ptsd firefighter veteran
B.C.S.M. A.A.E.T.S.
Senior Chief (Administrative)
North American Fire Fighter Veterans Network
F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E.