Today, it is easy to find ourselves so occupied with our own problems that we forget to be of service to others; however, there is a group of people that always remind me to not only serve one another in love, but to appreciate those that relentlessly do. A few years ago, a special person in my life began to teach me about one of the purest definitions of "volunteer." As an individual with a passion for other people, this person not only thrives off of serving those in need, but he also represents the heart of what it means to serve others, a community and the world. His heart for service has not only shown me what it means to serve, but it has also shown me that volunteer firefighters, along with all of our service men and women, are too often under-appreciated.

I hear many people say negative things about the volunteer firefighter. From "Weekly fire department meetings are just a social thing," "All they do is direct traffic" and "They aren't even real firemen," – these are just some of the false statements said about them. To the volunteer firefighter: Thank you. To those that think the a volunteer firefighter is not a real firefighter– this why you could not be more wrong.

One untrue thing that has been said about the volunteer firefighter is, "They only socialize at their weekly meetings." Each week, volunteer firefighters gather at their fire departments for a weekly meeting where they train, clean and bond with one another. The bonding that they do on a weekly basis only strengthens their brotherhood of firefighters together. These firefighters are brothers, sisters, friends, cousins and mentors to each other and while they may socialize and spend time together after the meeting is done, that does not mean that they only go to weekly meetings to spend their time sitting around talking. When they're called to a wreck or fire, they know it is not time to mess around. They know, then, that the socializing is over and that it is time to help others. In addition, volunteer firefighters take over 15 different classes usually stretched across two to three days, pass many different tests, spend over 400 hours training and lose many hours of sleep for something that they will never call a career, but for something that they love so much. The training never ends, either.

Another thing that people say about volunteer firefighters is, "All they do is direct traffic." Of course they direct traffic, but to think that that's all they do is nonsense. Volunteer firefighters do much more than that. The next time you are driving through a wreck or see a house fire and you happen to encounter a volunteer firefighter that is directing traffic, keep in mind that there are many different components of an emergency. Directing traffic is simply one of them. These firefighters have to act fast upon arriving to the scene of a call. There are many different jobs that must be done at the scene, and firefighters do their best to rescue those in need, while also keeping others safe.

One other statement that has been said about volunteer firefighters is, "Volunteer firefighters are not real firefighters." This could not be more untrue. In fact, 85 percent of fire departments in the United States are either all volunteer, or mostly volunteer. Additionally, while it may seem like they do not do much because they are only volunteers, they actually protect one-third of the United States. Volunteer firefighters go to calls, put out fires, cut people out of cars and see some horrible things. In rural communities, volunteer fire departments are especially depended on each day to help when someone is in need, and they are always ready to answer that call. Within a close-knit community of brothers and sisters in service, these men and women hold their communities together through their heart and dedication for saving others. They have responded to wrecks that have brought their worst nightmare to reality-- the loss of a loved one. They have responded to fires that have taken away the lives of children, families, friends and possessions. They have given, and continue to give, their heart and soul to keeping the community they love a place that people are proud to call home.

It is time to start to encouraging these men and women. We should lift them up in prayer, support and love. Just because a volunteer firefighter is a volunteer, it does not mean that he is not a hero, too. Volunteer firefighters sacrifice their lives to save people like you and me, and one day, your life just might depend on one of them.

To all of the service men and women, fireman, police officers, and beyond, whether paid or volunteer, thank you for your dedication and your time to saving lives and keeping our communities safe.