Brunswick city councilors faced a potentially divisive vote Monday night concerning the language proposed for a firefighters’ memorial.
With the storm of controversy that often follows any public display that contains references to God or religion, the council was right to carefully consider the issue before voting.
After nearly an hour of debate, the councilors voted, 9-0, to approve a memorial that includes “A Fireman’s Prayer,” a poem written in 1959 that is common in other parts of the country for memorials honoring firefighters.
In addition to being a prayer and mentioning God, the last few lines of the poem also reflect the time in which it was written and use language that implies all firefighters are men.
Government must be conscientious about the endorsement of religion or condoning language that doesn’t recognize the contribution that women make in dangerous professions like firefighting. But after reviewing “A Fireman’s Prayer,” its simple and evocative plea seems fitting for such a memorial.
“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
“Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
“Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently, to put the fire out.
“I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.
“And if, according to your will I have to give my life; Please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.”
Reading the poem, we understand why the issue came up. God is there, front and center, and the last line excludes the possibility that a firefighter might leave behind a husband. But the infractions seem minor in the context of a memorial.
Brunswick councilors were smart to fully consider the verse before approving the monument, and they were right to unanimously approve it.
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