FOLEY, Ala. — With the 10th anniversary of
9/11 still fresh on many minds, first responders take on a new
importance as they sacrifice personal and family time, important
plans and activities to be ready for action
24-7.
These …
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"3">FOLEY, Ala. — With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 still fresh on many minds, first responders take on a new importance as they sacrifice personal and family time, important plans and activities to be ready for action 24-7.
"3">These hard-working men and women give of themselves, almost on a daily basis, and sometimes they’re shown a little appreciation for all that they do.
"3">Foley Police Department Cpl. Bobby Erwin attended a First Responders Appreciation Day Picnic that LiveOak Village, an independent- and assisted-living facility in Foley, held a few months back. His son joined him in the celebration.
"3">Kylie Herring, LiveOak admissions coordinator, explained that “local firefighters, police officers, EMTs and their families were invited to a pool party and cookout to thank them for their services within our community.”
"3">Erwin recalled the event where simple splashes of water washed away sleepless nights, siren echoes and swirling lights.
"3">“It was very wonderful that people in the community actually do things like that for us — to celebrate a day with us,” he spoke with enthusiasm. “We don't get to do that a lot.”
"3">Erwin recalled the beautiful, sunny day filled with “water balloon fights, a tremendous amount of food and a day of just outdoor fun.”
"3">Approximately 30 first responders and family members attended the event at LiveOak clubhouse, where Teliena Corder, LiveOak administrator, said everyone enjoyed a cool dip in the pool, along with hotdogs, hamburgers and watermelon.
"3">“The LiveOak management staff did the cooking and decorating,” she explained. “We started Friday afternoon filling up water balloons for the event.
"3">“This will be an annual event and will be in July next year. It will be another pool party since everyone enjoyed this and they were able to bring their families – I thought it went great.”
"3">Erwin divulged that this particular type of event meant more to him than any black-tie event ever could since time with family is cherished in his profession. He also enjoyed the fun atmosphere to offset the job’s stressful side.
"3">“I’d much rather do events like this,” he said with sincere tone. “It gives us a chance to relax and forget about it.”
"3">He explained that a summer picnic certainly helped refresh him after so many hours of always-on-call mentality.
"3">Erwin explained the way that first responders must constantly think and react. They must be ready for anything, anytime.
"3">“You never know what’s going to happen,” his words cut through ideals like arms stroking through crystal blue water. “You do have to be ready in a moment's notice.
"3">“It’s more than a job — it’s a lifestyle.”
"3">And that lifestyle epitomizes the reason for the picnic, Corder said.
"3">“The reason we held the appreciation day for first responders was they put their lives on the line each and every day for the community with little in return,” she said, her words holding earnest inflections. “LiveOak’s reason behind this was to honor these local heroes and give them a fun-filled day.”
