By Lori for her Papaw Stewart…
I know I should never ask why
But I really have to know
Why you had to leave this Earth
I wish you didn’t have to go

I remember when we spent time together
Just about every single day.
You used to always listen to me
Every word I had to say.

I really miss you right now
And even though I try,
I can never erase that night from my memory
And it always makes me cry.

I can only imagine how it felt
The bright, burning flames
And the firefighters, all the firefighters
Your name along with their names.

I know I’m not the only one hurting,
And that’s what makes it so sad.
But I think of all the good things that happened while you were alive,
And I try to be glad.

I know you would want us to be happy,
Because I know you wouldn’t want it to be like this.
You wanted so much for us.
That’s the way it was, and I’m sure that’s the way it still is.

But this is the problem,
I don’t know where you are, and I can only think your name.
And I remember the one thing we have in common,
Your heart, My heart, both gone in a flame.

Papaw, this is Lori. I made this poem today, and it is for my dad about Papaw Stewart. I just wanted you to see it. I hope you like it.

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The grandaughter of a Arkansas Fallen Firefighter wrote the poem. She is suffering because her grandfather was killed in the line of duty in Arkansas while doing his duty as a firefighter. The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial is being planned for the State Capitol grounds to honor these brave firefighters. They must be remembered for answering the call no matter what danger was involved. The families need this solemn oasis of solitude to see the names of of firefighters engraved in granite so that any visitor to the memorial will not forget the dedication of the firefighter who climbs on the fire apparatus to save lives and property. Poems come from heart. Your action to help the memorial by buying a license plate, raffle ticket, t shirt or calling a friend to make plans for a fish fry, BBQ or chili supper can make our dream come true very soon. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Take that step today. Help build the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial. affmemorial@comcast.net 501-377-1110 answering service

Van Buren County Arkansas has been devastated this year and it’s just July.

On Tuesday Feb. 5, 2008 at approximately 6pm Clinton Arkansas was hit by a devastating EF4 tornado. “Super Tuesday” will now be on the minds of all residents as a day that changed their lives forever!

In March/April 2008 VBC was devastated by flooding in numerous areas of the county. Specifically in Clinton and Choctaw. The lake rose to what I’ve been told 24′+ above it’s normal level. Leaving houses flooded and washing away several areas of roadway.

Then on May 2, 2008 Damascus and Bee Branch AR were hit by an EF3 tornado.

Total according to my sources we have lost 6 in death due to the tornadoes, I’ve not heard of any from the flooding.

Here’s a video that I made covering some of the photos I’ve received from the tornadoes.

Show me a person who spends endless hours in training w/o pay, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person where a cry for help brings split-second dispatch, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is devastated when lives are lost or maimed, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is graciously welcomed as a next-door neighbor, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who often takes more ridicule than compliments, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person whose car is garaged w/ the grille facing out, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who sacrifices home life, T.V….even tender moments, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who may be asked to give more than just dedication, And, I’ll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is asked to give more… and more… and more, And, I’ll show you a volunteer

FIREFIGHTERS WHETHER VOLUNTEER OR PAID, HAVE A DEDICATION THAT JUST WILL NOT FADE

THEY HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY LEARN AND TRAIN, AND FIGHT FIRES IN THE SNOW AND THE RAIN.

THEY DO THEIR JOB WITH HONOR AND PRIDE, THEIR FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS AT THEIR SIDE.

FAMILY MEMBERS WORRY AND PRAY, KNOWING THERE IS A CHANCE THEY WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE HOW MUCH THEY CARE, OR HOW MUCH OF THEIR LIFE THEY ARE WILLING TO SHARE

WHENEVER THEY ARE CALLED TO HELP THEY GO, EVEN IF ITS SOMEONE THEY DO NOT KNOW ,THEY FIGHT FIRES AND HELP AT ACCIDENT SCENES, WHETHER ITS SOMEONE ELDERLY OR IN THEIR TEENS

WHENEVER YOU SEE THESE MEN AND WOMEN GO OUT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO THINK ABOUT, THE THING THEY ARE DOING INTERRUPTS THEIR FAMILY LIFE, AND SOMETIMES CAUSES THEM TEARS AND STRIFE

SO THE NEXT TIME THEY PASS YOUR WAY, PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO STOP AND PRAY, THAT THEY MAKE IT HOME WHEN THE DAY IS DONE AND THAT THIS WON’T BE THEIR LAST RUN.

EMMITSBURG, MD – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced today there were 115 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States in 2007. In 2007, there were firefighters lost in 33 states and Washington, DC. South Carolina experienced the highest number of fatalities (11) while Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, and California each suffered more than 5 on-duty losses.

“This past year will be remembered by the entire fire service as one of the most tragic years for firefighters in recent memory,” United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade said. “We are committed to continuing our dedicated efforts with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Firefighters, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to make sure 2008 is not a repeat of 2007 and a year in which Everyone Goes Home at the end of their emergency response assignments.”

Heart attacks and vehicle accidents were responsible for the deaths of 54 firefighters (47%) in 2007, down from 54 of the 106 (51%) firefighters in 2006. In 2007, 10 on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires.

On June 18th, Charleston, SC lost 9 firefighters while working to control a fire in a large sofa warehouse facility. Each year, firefighters becoming trapped and disoriented represent the largest portion of structural fireground fatalities. For 2007, 64% of all firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. Almost 42% were at structure fires with 19 caught or trapped (16.5%).

Speed and a lack of seat belts contributed to many deaths as well. More than 2 of every 10 firefighter fatalities in 2007 occurred when responding to or returning from an incident. While seat belts and speed were not necessarily factors in all of these fatalities, they were contributing factors for most of them.

These fatality statistics for 2007 are provisional and very much subject to change as the USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on-duty during 2007. The final, annual firefighter fatality report for 2007 is expected to be available by early June.

For additional information on firefighter fatalities, including the annual fatality reports from 1986 through 2006 and the Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990–2000, please visit the USFA Web site.