Falmouth's Finest Heroes

The following is a letter to the editor of the Falmouth Enterprise on Friday, March 7, 2008:

As a longtime resident of Falmouth, since February 24, 1964, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting 12 of Falmouth's finest heroes, not that I wanted to under the circumstances.
You see, my house was on fire. As a three-time veteran with 31 years of service in the military and recently returned from Baghdad, truly I now what makes a hero. As I stood outside my home of 30 years one will never know what was going through my mind.
But as I watched these brave men answering the call, my adrenaline, anxiety, and stress level were clearly lowering to one of ease. These men clearly showed me how they fight fires on the front lines in America and our communities. You could definitely see how they go to work, leaving behind wives, husbands, or loved ones at home when duty calls, with no regard for themselves. They form a family and bond as brothers and sisters to fight fires, to protect lives and personal property, and sometimes give their own lives for our nation and communities while doing their job.
The whole time you could clearly see an orchestrated or Swiss-watch work team and wingman-to-wingman operation above and beyond the call of duty to save my home. As a result of their brave actions, my home was spared and no lives lost.
As they left, I thanked them from the bottom of my heart for saving my home. Their reply was, they were just doing their job and thank God no one was hurt. Truly, that is a hero's reply. I cannot thank you all enough times, but from the bottom of my heart once again, thank you for putting your lives on the line, for the jobs you men and women do in our nation and communities, and for saving my home.
As you all fight on the home front lines, we will continue abroad with deepest respect, admiration, and regards for all you do, Truly, you are all my heroes.

MSgt. Steven O. DeLeon USAFR and Katherine C. DeLeon
Seacoast Shores Boulevard
East Falmouth

Personally, I feel this is a very bold statement of gratitude coming from a three-time veteran with 31 years of service in the military.