Let's start being part of the solution

To the Editor:

We have lived in Ashburnham for close to 30 years. In that time we have had seven children, all of them born and raised in this town.

A number of times during these years we have needed to call on the services of both the firefighters and EMT's of Ashburnham, and have always appreciated their care and concern in dealing with numerous broken bones, accidents, injuries, and all that comes with raising seven active children.

They were always available when needed, and went above and beyond the call of duty in serving our family as members of this community. Two of our 'children' are now giving back to this town by volunteering their time as firefighters.

What troubles us are the comments made by people who are ignorant to what is involved in serving in this capacity. Our firefighters are available 24-hours a day to serve the very ones who criticize them.

Our daughter is 17-years-old, and when the tones go off in the middle of the night she is out the door with no regard for her desire for a good night's sleep. She has missed out on planned events with family and friends in order to fulfill her duty as a firefighter. She gives her all to serve this community and support her fellow firefighters.

Our son has recently joined the force, and serves with as much enthusiasm and dedication as his sister. And yes, we are very proud of them. As this whole town should be. But instead of receiving the encouragement and support they deserve from those that they serve, they are faced with criticism, childish jokes, and ignorant comments.

Let's stop being a part of the problem and start being a part of the solution. The place to start is to show appreciation to the men and women who serve us.

Overpaid? Are you serious? And as far as putting fires out, let's give them a facility where they can operate as efficiently as they wish they could. As it stands, our equipment is kept in different places because we have no acceptable central location. Imagine having to go to your neighbor's house to get your keys, the town hall to put on your shoes, and the grocery store to grab your jacket before rushing off to an emergency.

How efficient would you be? Before we criticize the efforts of any group, we should walk in their shoes for a week. Come to our house and look in daughter's eyes as she talks with passion about her desire to become an EMT as well as a firefighter in order to serve this town more capably. Or comfort her as she cries over a lost home in spite of the team's best efforts to save it.

We are awakened many a night by the tones from her radio and the inevitable slamming door as she rushes out to serve you, her community. She is only one of many who are giving with as much heart. Let's give them what they deserve: a thank you, a word of encouragement, a facility where they can be better equipped to serve. And to all the firefighters in town, thank you.

Thank you for serving us so faithfully. And thank you for teaching the next generation to do the same. Thank you for investing in our daughter through your dedicated training and mentoring. Thank you for teaching her the value of service in spite of the negative comments she faces. To those making negative comments, we challenge you to use your words more productively ... our children are listening. Let's teach them to solve problems, not add to them.

Let's teach them to serve, not criticize. Let's put aside the negativity and stand together as a community in a spirit of cooperation. Let's work together to come up with a solution instead of criticizing one another. This is our town. Let's make it the best it can be by investing our energy into what matters most: the people of this community. Our children are watching.

Randy and Donna Williams,

Ashburnham