Phone calls, poles, and (possible) planes
By Cam Tait
February 20, 2006
One of the most popular DVDs in the Tait household is
Ladder 49, the story of a firefighter's career in Baltimore.
It's in the DVD player more often than any other movie. Mrs. Tait and
I find it entertaining, suspenseful, and perhaps most of all,
inspirational. It's also a great reminder of the men and women who
put their lives on the line every day to save strangers from
potentially fatal situations. For those who haven't seen it, I won't
spill the beans by giving away the ending. However, there's one scene
when John Travolta's character, Capt. Mike Kennedy, delivers a very
poignant line. "People often ask me, 'how is it that firefighters run
into a burning building when people are running out?'"
There are times when we hear quotes from a fictional story that ring
true in a real-life situation. Such was the case recently at the
Edmonton Garrison, which sits on the north part of the city. Like all
military bases, it's a small, close-knit community; a community full
of families who know through first-hand experience how close it is.
Civilians may never know the brotherhood and sisterhood of a base.
Yet, we have respect and admire our soldiers and their families. We
also feel their pain and share their trepidation when husbands,
fathers, wives and sisters are in harm's way.
We heard the stories of our Canadian soldiers who were injured in a
bomb blast in Iraq. Several of the soldiers were based in Edmonton so
the images at the airport upon their return were particularly
powerful. We saw the ambulance slowing pulling up to the Canadian
Forces aircraft on the tarmac. Military vehicles lined the
perimetre, their lights flashing, making the scene even more solemn.
A soldier was helped down the long staircase from the aircraft. A
wheelchair was brought to the man and he was wheeled beside a vehicle
to watch as his comrades came off the plane. We saw a stretcher and
intravenous bottles come out of the aircraft's door and a wounded man
was taken to an ambulance. It was a reminder of the sacrifices the
soldiers made, and what their future will be. We think of their
families, too - their immediate loss, as well as what's to come in
the years ahead.
The very next day, less then 24 hours after the wounded soldiers
returned home, the media told us of more Canadian troops leaving for
Iraq. And like every news story about soldiers being deployed, there
were the last-minute hugs, the tears, the trembling voices, the
prayers, and the strong hope that those leaving will return safe and
sound. In this instance, the potential danger was magnified even more
by the arrival of the wounded soldiers the previous day.
So what does it take for someone to step into the eye of the storm?
When there's evidence of what could happen, how does someone do up
their chinstrap, adjust their helmet, and go off to battle? Who is
whispering the word - or words - of inspiration and motivation to
spark them on so they can forge ahead?
There are several answers. But perhaps one that hits home the most
comes from the character of Capt. Mike Kennedy as John Travolta's
voice answers his own question of how firefighters run into a burning
building when others are fleeing to safety. It isn't a long-winded
reply with deep philosophical meaning. It's just one simple word.
"Courage is the answer."
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He
covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments,
ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not
necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
