This isn't my usual "tongue-in-cheek"-type article; the subject matter is a little too serious for that. Hope you'll bear with me.

As Brows pointed out in my profile, I'm a volunteer firefighter. Personally, I don't think of myself as a hero though, just another hose monkey. I use my administration skills to the department's advantage, and for that they let me 'play'.

With the 5th anniversary of 9/11 just around the corner, a fellow writer pitched watching "World Trade Center" as a fitting tribute to the men and women affected by this atrocity. My question is: "How exactly does watching a movie and lining the coffers of Hollywood pay homage to anyone?" What productive changes will be made as a result of viewing something that capitalizes on other people's misery and loss? I agree that we can't forget what happened or the people it happened to, but there are far more appropriate actions that a person can take instead of sitting back complacently and munching popcorn.

Last year, our department released calendars as a fund raiser. As I sat at the local grocery store plying these things, a comment I heard all too frequently was "$20? Isn't that a bit much for a calendar?" Of course, these would be the same yahoos who expect miracles if it's THEIR emergency.

So, here's my pitch. Go ahead and watch "World Trade Center" so that you're reminded of just what it is we're willing to do AND give up for your benefit. Then, the next time you see your local emergency services holding some kind of fund raiser, pony up the $10-20 they're looking for. You or someone you know may need that piece of equipment they're trying to buy someday.

~Arlie (Bustin' Ours, Savin' Yours)