A holiday wish from Jax, the old fire engine

The firefighters had laid down to rest and the chief walked his station in the stillness as he had done countless nights before. The years had worn on him and the face in the mirror looking back at him was no longer a rookie firefighter with child-like innocence, but an old man with years of wear on body and soul.

It was his time to relax and get some fresh air. The moon was full and the air crisp as he hopped up on the bumper of the old fire truck, looking out the truck bay when something magical happened. The old fire engine started to speak and the two old friends engaged in timely conversation. ''Hey, Jax, how's it going? While reading the response reports today, I saw you were busy,'' said the chief.

''Yeah, chief,'' answered the engine. ''I had to look out for the rookie driver. He came mighty close to a truck this morning and I had to show him how to get to the base gym.''

''Hey Jax, you know I trust you with my kids. You took real good care of me when I rode in that right seat'' said the chief.

''Yes, I did. You were always doing something stupid that I had to get you out of. Speaking of stupid, chief, I am not going to respond to any more calls where people are hurt because of alcohol,'' said the engine.

The chief jumped off the bumper and looked around at the old engine and scowled. ''You're what? I'll take you down to the scrap yard and make razor blades out of you,'' he shouted.

''I'm not going to any more calls where people are hurt. I can't take it any more,'' spoke the defiant engine. ''I can't bear to see one more Sailor hurt. My heart can't take it anymore.''

''No, Jax,'' spoke the chief in a more understanding tone. ''We have to respond, it's our duty.''

''Not me. Let Quint do it,'' said Jax, speaking of the younger truck in the next bay. ''That's not all chief. I am not going on any more domestic violence calls. Last week, we responded to a house and a man had beaten his wife in front of the kids. The mother was bleeding and he was apologizing to her. Both of them were under the influence of alcohol. The sound of those children crying just tore me apart. Then Department of Social Services was called to take them to a strange home in the middle of the night. Chief, I saw those children's eyes, the fear, the fright, the unknown of being ripped away from their parents. Both parents going to jail for battery. I don't understand it, chief.''

''And, then there was the quietness on the engine when I brought the firefighters back to the station. You know the guys are always laughing and having fun, but when a child is involved it's like a tomb, it kills them a little at a time,'' said the engine, sadly.

''I know, Jax,'' said the chief. ''A firefighter's heart is scarred with these types of incidents. That's why God gives them such big hearts to handle all the pain they see.''

''What about the guy at the barracks, chief? The one who got drunk and fell down the steps and is paralyzed for life? Where's the reasoning that a 20-year-old will never be able to walk again? Whose mother and father sent him off to the Navy to defend this country. Then he falls down a set of stairs from underage drinking and never walks again. What is wrong with that picture, chief? Why does an old fire engine know that excessive drinking is hurting the customers we are sworn to protect?'' sobbed Jax. ''But here is the straw that breaks the engine's back, chief. On Highway 17 today, I saw a young mother crying hysterically holding her badly injured child because a drunk driver hit them. The child died in her arms, chief!''

''I know Jax! I was there too,'' said the chief with his head down.

''Chief, why did that happen? Why did that man decide to get behind the wheel drunk?'' asked Jax.

''I don't know Jax. People do stupid things during the holiday season that they normally wouldn't do,'' responded the chief.

''Chief, the guys on the trucks were crying when we came back. The death of that little girl is killing them,'' said Jax.

''It's killing me too, Jax. You knew that when I came down the steps tonight. She might have found the cure for cancer or heart disease. But now she will never fall in love. Her mother will never hug her grandchildren. All that is lost for a six pack of beer,'' said the chief.

''I can't take it anymore. I'm not going to leave the fire station,'' stressed Jax.

By then Jax's headlights were filled with tears and so were the chiefs eyes. ''What do you want me to do, Jax?'' cried the chief. ''I can't control people!''

''Chief, I want you to tell them, that life is precious. That these are our country's finest sons and daughters and we need them to fight the war on terrorism and to defend us against those who would destroy our way of life. But they sometimes destroy themselves.''

''I will Jax. I will!'' sobbed the chief. The fire chief hobbled back up the stairs and put to paper what Jax had told him. The next morning, Jax did his duty as always, lights and siren blaring and pulled out of the station to protect the warfighters.

The members of the NAS Jacksonville Fire Department do not want ''Jax'' to have to respond to any more alcohol related incidents. We are asking for your help to drink responsibility this holiday season and remember your personal actions affect your loved ones and coworkers. We wish each of you, happy holidays and the best for the coming new year. Please take care of yourself. Our Navy needs you!