"I shall not retreat
nor shall I surrender
for I will stand here and fight
or I will stand here and die."
 - Gen. William Sandborne
   U.S. Army Rangers

FFI J.B. Earley
CFD Engine Co. 27
January 18, 1979 to
March 6, 2002

A Great Hero Named Josh

A new day began quite like the others
With family and friends, sisters and brothers.
But something was going to change today,
Being alive there's just one price to pay.
While going and doing what needed to be done,
No one would know that a fire had begun.
As soon as the word had reached the station,
Josh left without any hesitation.
He went to the fire like always before,
But today was different, the difference the floor.
When Josh put on his gear and went in the house,
He tried to be careful and step like a mouse.
The floor was too hot and had to give in,
That's when Josh accidentally fell in.
Although he wasn't quite so tall,
God saw his eyes and broke his great fall.
While everyone waited to know what went on,
Josh saw our God and the terror was gone.
Although we grieve the death of a friend,
We have to remember God in the end.
So even though Josh isn't with us today,
We know he's in heaven, his price has been paid.
Now look at it now as God's great gift,
And know that his name is what we will lift.
Josh was a hero, a great one, in fact,
His death touched many and made an impact.
So even if you don't understand,
Call to God and he'll take your hand.
Together we'll walk through life and see,
The wonderful hero God meant Josh to be.

Written in remembrance of Josh Earley,
A hero, who many be gone but never forgotten.

Jennifer Williams
March 6, 2002
12-year old daughter of CFD Captain Marc Williams
 

In Memory of our 343 FDNY brothers lost on Sept. 11th, 2001, Box 8081