For Survivors of Fallen Firefighters - Issue 67 - July/August 2015

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn

Issue 67 of For Survivors of Fallen Firefighters presents heartfelt reflections and survivor stories centered on grief, resilience, and enduring connections. Contributors share personal memories of fallen firefighters and how the courage, love, and strength they left behind continue to support daily life. The issue highlights the role of survivors’ friendships, conferences, and memorial weekends as lifelines that foster understanding, healing, and renewed hope. It closes with gratitude for gifts carried forward.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Issue 67

July/August 2015

My Best Friend My Dad

The Gifts My Son Gave Me

For Survivors of Fallen Firefighters ISSUE 67 ~ JULY / AUGUST 2015 « The only gift is a portion of thyself. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson « W hatdiesd, o yweocu carrertainylwy ciyouy saance iy? Wth uenfor saoi eomene Perhaps anger or exhaustion or regret. Those feelings come with us as we put one foot in front of the other each day. Hopefully you carry some positives with you as well—gifts and strengths and memories from your firefighter that bolster your courage and help inspire you. Fire service survivor Katy Smith, mother of Robert Henderson (2005-WY) used her son’s courage to help her do something she knew would test her limits. While she ran the 2006 Salt Lake City Marathon, she carried a card in her pocket that said,“If Robert could run into a burning building, I could run amarathon.” And she did. Many of you have shared stories of finding strength you never knew you had, inspired in part by the gifts your firefighters gave you. Those gifts are still within you. Keep your eyes open. There may be gifts still yet to come. My Best Friend My Dad By Ameray Henderson, Daughter of Robert Henderson (2005-WY) pril 18, 2005, was a day that changed not only my life or my family’s life, but the city of Evanston and the state of Wyoming. That was the day I lost my best friend, my everything. I lost my dad to a smoke explosion while searching for children reportedly trapped in a burning townhouse. My father was a volunteer firefighter for over 11 years, and he loved every second of it. Atthe time of his passing I was six years old, and I was just starting kindergarten. Before my dad passed away I was always with him. I still remember going down to the firehouse and climbing on the counters and getting into their food and drinking the most amazing red cream soda ever. I was probably at the firehouse more than I was at my actual house. That was my second family and home. I absolutely loved it there. Oneof my favorite memories I have with my dad was when he brought the fire truck to my preschool and showed all the kids. That was a pretty fun day. After showing all the kids A I got to leave school early and ride back to the firehouse in the fire truck. It was so much fun. My dad was my best friend, and I can always remember doing everything with him. I was a daddy’s girl, and I always will be. My dad means the world to me. Another fun and amazing memory I have with him was the last time I went hunting with him. We only went one day. We were supposed to go the whole weekend with my dad’s friends, but my mom got sick. Since she was feeling better, we went that Sunday. We just went up by the windmills, so nowhere far from town. All I really remember from that day was having to move the elk down the hill with my mom so my dad could get a better shot. My mom and I started walking towards the elk. All of a sudden the ground and all the bushes and trees started shaking, and we could see dozens of elk running down the hill. My dad had to wait for the last moment so he could try and get the biggest one. continued on page 2 Ameray Henderson continued from page 2 After my dad shot and we waited for the elk to calm down, my mom and I walked to my dad and we saw the big elk he got. The elk was so big that the only way we could get it out of the mountains was to cut it in half and call some other guys from the fire department. My dad shot that elk around 6:00 a. m., and we didn’t get home until about 8:00 that night. It was crazy big. But that was the last day my dad or I went hunting. I always loved to do things with my dad like hunting or riding 4-wheelers or just being with him at his other job at the post office. I can’t really think of a moment that I wasn’t with my dad or at school. I am 16 now, and things have really changed since my dad has passed away. I’m still trying to understand that my dad isn’t going to come home anytime soon. I still cry and grieve, but that’s part of life. My two brothers are curre

FAQs

What theme runs through Issue 67 for fallen firefighters’ survivors?

The issue focuses on grief and remembrance alongside resilience—how courage and supportive memories continue to help survivors move forward.

How does the contributor describe the continuing presence of a fallen firefighter?

The contributor emphasizes that even after loss, the father remains close in spirit, providing comfort and guidance in daily life.

What role do survivors’ gatherings and conferences play in the issue?

They are described as joyful lifelines that help people bond with others, share grief, and connect new families to the foundation’s support.

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn