Friday, July 8, 2011

Hearts go out to Hamm family, other firefighter families

The Texas Forest Service reported 24-year-old Caleb Hamm lost his life yesterday battling blazes in Palo Pinto County near Mineral Wells, Texas. This horrific wildfire season is taking its toll as two others in our critical fire response team have died in the line of duty: Eastland Volunteer Firefighter Greg Simmons and Cactus Volunteer Firefighter Elias Jaquez.

These lost lives are a stark reminder of the constant threat to lives, in addition to the livelihoods that are destroyed.

While this is a time of extreme sadness for these families who have lost so much, they must also take pride in the heroic lives their loved ones lived protecting lives and property of so many Texans.

The Alamo was defended by brave souls from many other states. The loss of Caleb Hamm from Idaho reminds us of the shared service and combined heroic efforts that continue today to make America the land of the free and the home of the brave.

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