In harms way

24 October 07 -- "No end in sight" exclaim the news briefs.  And those of us not in the line of fire can only imagine the unimaginable.

  Photos like these, taken from the scene by another person going into the ring of fire, rivet us. 

The pictures on this page were taken by USAF National Guardsman, Ssgt Alex Koenig of the 146th Airlift Wing, CA ...

Another case of Troops not choosing their battles any more than firefighters or police. 

We see the videos, and the faces of those who have lost all of their earthly possessions.  We think, what would I try to take with me if I had to evacuate?  Would any of it matter, as long as my loved ones escaped?   

 How do we go about our daily rituals as the flames devour more of the California earth?

Doing the tours, we have met so many of these men and women in the uniforms of their callings, as we've crossed the continent.  Some of them freshly back from desert deployment ... from under fire to the front lines of fire.  This posting shares some of the faces we keep in our thoughts and prayers as they face a daunting enemy on their own turf. 

Please tell me we are all incensed that this is the result of arson.  Landmarks, history, homes, pets, property, and now irreplaceable lives lost in this senselessness.  No life is more precious than another, but I pray that we do not continue the news coverage after the last ember has died, with streets filled to honor fallen heroes.  Some people are unavoidably in harms way ~ some volunteer to go in to harms way ... these are our Heroes.

We watch the news stories that show truck after truck, filled with firefighters and equipment, headed in from other states.  And you can't help but wonder how this affects their children, parents, mates, and friends.

 This act has impacted not only California,  but families across the country ... and even ... troops in the desert.

The National Guard is flying missions over the flames.  The CDF is stretched to their limits.  Firefighters sit at the ready, waiting for that call that will find them rushing in.  Others, exhausted & smoke saturated, catch what precious sleep they can find.  And already over a MILLION people displaced by evacautions for their safety.

Please keep a prayer in your hearts for each and every person impacted by the California Fire, and most especially for our emergency responders ... all of them ... fire, police, ems, and troops.  If you ever doubt these are heroes ... Turn on the news today.

Quietly,

lj

Tags: California Fire, CDF, 146th Airlift Wing, USAF, SSgt Alex Koenig, hero, firefighters, police, ems, troops, Air National Guard, missions