Central Emergency Services C.E.S. Kenai Peninsula Soldotna Alaska Firefighter Memorial

Central Emergency Services - Prepared for the worst, providing the best

Main Index

In Memoriam

- Memoriam Index
- Cameron Carter
- Josh Rhoten
- Rich Hill

Please use the links to the left to navigate through this presentation.

For those firefighters and family who have passed away in our midst. These memorial pages are dedicated to the memory of our brothers, friends and family.

A Firefighter's Prayer

A Fallen Firefighter's Prayer

When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age

Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out

I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property

And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

Brother, when you weep for me,
Remember that it was meant to be.

Lay me down and when you leave,
Remember I’ll be at your sleeve.

In every dark and choking hall,
I’ll be there as you slowly crawl.

On every roof in driving snow,
I’ll hold your coat, and you will know.

The house from which I now respond,
Is overstaffed with heroes gone.

Men who answered one last bell,
Did the job and did it well.

As firefighters we understand,
That death’s card dealt in our hand.

A card we hope we never play,
But one we hold there anyway.

That card is something we ignore,
As we crawl across a weakened floor.

For we know that we’re the only prayer,
For anyone that might be there.

So remember as you wipe your tears,
The joy I knew throughout the years.

As I did the job I loved to do,
I pray that thought will see you through.

The Maltese Cross

The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection-a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old. When a courageous band of crusaders, known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters of the Cross.

The Saracens' weapon was fire!

As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were attacked by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming tree into their midst. Hundreds of Knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers in arms from dying painful deaths. Thus, these men became the first fire fighters...and the first of a long list of courageous Fire Fighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero with a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one Fire Fighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived for nearly four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea, named Malta, the Cross became known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the fire fighter that wears this Cross is willing to lay down his life, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow men so many years ago.

The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter's Badge of Courage...a ladder-rung away from death.