I can’t believe some of the horrid things people are saying about the recent engagement of Crestview Fire Department Lt. Joey Lambert. I wrote the story about the special event. His battalion was on duty that night but his commander, Chief John Riedel, allowed his men a brief detour during a drill so Joey could pop the question to his girlfriend, Katie Schlitter.

As the son of a now-deceased long-time firefighter, I can assure those whiny-butt critics from first hand experience that firemen put in long, hard hours, most usually at the expense of time with family and friends. I can also assure you that drills and practice take place all over a fire department’s coverage area, even near restaurants.

If they’re lucky and they have good leadership, every very remote now and then firefighters are permitted to make a drill more special. I recall Dad’s fire department rolling up en masse to wish a fellow firefighter and his wife, a past president of the fire department’s ladies auxiliary, a happy 25th anniversary. They couple were awestruck by the support, and the neighbors were charmed by the extra effort.

Whether or not the drill for the February evening in question was to be in the neighborhood of La Rumba is completely irrelevant. The firefighters and the equipment were going to be out that night anyway.

What is very relevant, and what speaks eloquent volumes of a battalion commander’s concern for his men, was that Chief Reidel was able to adjust their training to allow a few special moments so a dedicated on-duty firefighter could propose to his lady. It was a simple act that speaks volumes of his compassion for his men. Further, that Lt. Lambert’s colleagues were so supportive of him at a special, emotional time speaks volumes of the esprit de corps of our Crestview Fire Department.

Citizens should be glad we have firefighters who are as willing to back up a buddy when he’s ready to pop the biggest question of his life as they are when he’s battling a blaze. We should be thankful they have a battalion chief who is willing to allow one of his men to snatch a few special moments during training. That proves to me that those same brave heroes will have as much leadership support and be just as unified and just as mutually supportive when they have to charge into a burning structure.

Who knows, maybe the next person they’ll have to rescue is one of the same clueless whiners who are eager to spout off but haven’t an iota of understanding about what it takes to be a firefighter. (Or a police officer. Or an EMT.)

So I say, bravo Chief Riedel! Bravo to the guys under your command. And to Joey and Katie, I wish you a long life together filled with love, happiness, and with many friends like the guys who backed you up that special night last month at la Rumba!

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