Tag Archives: Randall’s Island

A photographer captured and unbelievable shot of James, at attention, hand on the bell, a tear on his cheek and the American flag in the foreground. I can't describe the emotion I felt seeing the photo ... or the emotion it captured.

We don't do it for the honor or glory. We damn sure don't do it for the pay. We do it because we're fireman .. it's what we know ..what we do. BROTHERHOOD, HONOR, PRIDE, TRADITION and RESPECT .

It's the hardest thing I've ever done yet somewhere deep down, somewhere deep down in your soul and out of that stairwell, you find the strength the keep climbing. It transforms you. I was in that stairwell climbing but I was also somewhere far away. Sweating, out of breath and burning with pain yet at peace.