Volunteer fire department honors fallen heroes
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| Robstown volunteer firefighters placed flowers on a wreath to honor fallen comrades. / Photo by Christopher Maher (Record Star) |
By Christopher Maher
The Robstown Volunteer Fire Department honored its own during a special ceremony held Oct. 2.
A small crowd of family members, friends and volunteers met at the Robstown Fire Station to honor members of the volunteer department who have passed away over the years.
Calvary Fellowship Church Pastor Arnold Moreno opened the service with a prayer, in which he expressed his gratitude for the fire fighters.
"We thank you for the opportunity to honor these brave men who gave of themselves," Moreno prayed. "We thank you for continuing to fill this community with men, women and families who are willing to give of themselves."
Moreno also read to the crowd from the book of Daniel, in the Bible, which told the story of three men who were protected from a fiery furnace. Moreno said that same protection was brought by the prayers of the volunteers' families.
"I know these brave men have families at home praying for them to keep them safe," Moreno said.
Richard Gonzalez, Chief of the City of Robstown Fire Department, addressed the crowd and spoke of the bond between all fire fighters.
"In this world, there are givers and there are takers. Our fire fighters are truly givers," Gonzalez said. "They give of themselves, and sometimes they give their lives to protect the lives and the property of others."
Gonzalez closed his remarks by reading a poem entitled "A Fireman's Prayer."
Armando Garcia, a 31-year veteran of the volunteer fire department, acknowledged those who were retiring from the department this year.
"These retirees gave of themselves to the City of Robstown," Garcia said.
Members placed flowers around a wreath in honor of each of the fallen volunteers, while band members from the Robstown High School played "Taps."
Alex Suchil, president of the Robstown Volunteer Fire Department, read the list of names of 36 volunteers who have passed away since the department was created.
"We will never forget these names," Suchil said. "They were here for us, and now we're here for them."
A small crowd of family members, friends and volunteers met at the Robstown Fire Station to honor members of the volunteer department who have passed away over the years.
Calvary Fellowship Church Pastor Arnold Moreno opened the service with a prayer, in which he expressed his gratitude for the fire fighters.
"We thank you for the opportunity to honor these brave men who gave of themselves," Moreno prayed. "We thank you for continuing to fill this community with men, women and families who are willing to give of themselves."
Moreno also read to the crowd from the book of Daniel, in the Bible, which told the story of three men who were protected from a fiery furnace. Moreno said that same protection was brought by the prayers of the volunteers' families.
"I know these brave men have families at home praying for them to keep them safe," Moreno said.
Richard Gonzalez, Chief of the City of Robstown Fire Department, addressed the crowd and spoke of the bond between all fire fighters.
"In this world, there are givers and there are takers. Our fire fighters are truly givers," Gonzalez said. "They give of themselves, and sometimes they give their lives to protect the lives and the property of others."
Gonzalez closed his remarks by reading a poem entitled "A Fireman's Prayer."
Armando Garcia, a 31-year veteran of the volunteer fire department, acknowledged those who were retiring from the department this year.
"These retirees gave of themselves to the City of Robstown," Garcia said.
Members placed flowers around a wreath in honor of each of the fallen volunteers, while band members from the Robstown High School played "Taps."
Alex Suchil, president of the Robstown Volunteer Fire Department, read the list of names of 36 volunteers who have passed away since the department was created.
"We will never forget these names," Suchil said. "They were here for us, and now we're here for them."
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