Marching Down Main
Street
By Brian
Curry
Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up and go to my
closet. There, I’ll don my crisply pressed uniform and check my
badge and pins in the mirror. I’ll make sure I have my white
gloves and that my shoes are neatly polished and then I’ll head
out the door.
I’ll be proudly and happily participating in one of the last
vestiges of small town American life—the hometown July fourth
parade up Patchogue’s Main Street full of fire departments,
community groups, and elected officials. If I’m lucky, I’ll be
carrying one side of my department’s purple and gold banner, a
designation that proudly has become almost my set
responsibility.
On either side of Main Street, I’ll see or hear many of my
friends, the fruit of so many years of being a part of Patchogue
and the surrounding area. I’ll try to send a wave or a smile
their way maybe even shout out a “Hi, how you doing?” but truth
is if I look away from the honor guard in front of me, I’ll lose
my marching step.
I will have to stop and wave at the reviewing stand because in
addition to marching for the last 34 years with my North
Patchogue Fire Department, my other community involvement is now
with the Patchogue Lions Club who proudly sponsors this parade.
In just my too few years with them they have shown me a new
fellowship and so many new ways to serve my fellow man and to
give back to those less fortunate than I.
And then I’ll witness the continuing rebirth of Main Street with
so many stores and a wonderful tailored country look that
reminds you of her glory days. I’ll spot the faces of many
people that I have had the privilege of knowing and sometimes
working with through the years that have given their sweat and
tears to turn this village around are now watching their efforts
bloom.
Yes, the Fourth of July is about our country, and it’s simply a
glorious celebration. I’ll see the face of America in all the
people. The spirit that our founding fathers had is still very
much alive here and the ‘We can do it if we all work together’
credo can be heard more often than not. Progress may be measured
in small, fitful steps, but it’s progress just the same.
But as I listen to the bass drum pound behind me, it’s beat is
like that of a thumping heart and it takes me back in time to
the memories as I have walked this street in this uniform so
many times. I know all my senses will be operating on overload
as I take in all the sounds, the sights and even the scents of
the day. Preserving them as new memories for myself to be taken
out and gone over like a dusty yellow faded, but prized photo
album in the future.
And after the march is done, I’ll wipe my sweaty brow, hi-five
some of the guys and roll up the banners and flags. Then, I’ll
climb up on one of our shiny red and white rigs and cut through
the side streets with neat homes and freshly mowed lawns
enjoying the summer breeze as we head back to the firehouse.
As
we back the units in, I can smell the hot dogs and burgers
sizzling already. And yet another welcome, wonderful piece of
small town Americana will take place. An outdoor barbeque on the
firehouse grounds with the men and women that keep our small
town safe from fire and provide emergency medical care.
It’s a scene that will be played out in thousands of firehouses,
backyards, parks and probably even a few work places. There will
be gatherings of fire departments, families, neighbors, friends
and even some strangers. It’s local and it’s nationwide.
Regardless how you feel on the issues or what candidate you
support; regardless of the economy or how high the price of
gasoline is, it’s our nation’s birthday and we can all celebrate
that.
It’s North Patchogue, it’s Long Island, it’s New York … and it’s
America.
May you all have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
-Reprinted with permission of the Long Island Advance
(For a number of years, Brian has served
as firematic consultant to the Fire News. We will miss him.-Ed.)
Spc.
Brian FitzSimons, currently serving his 2nd 15 month tour with
the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Afghanistan. He is a firefighter
with Southside Hook & ladder Co. 2 of the Hempstead Fire
Department.
