Commentary

  

 Exploitation

 

This week my comments are pretty simple.

 

I want to honor the memory of any firefighter that dies in the line of duty.

 

I really don't care if he/she was paid or volunteer or on-call.

 

I really don't care if their were errors made that led to the circumstances of their death.

 

I believe their families should be taken care of.

 

I personally am appalled at people (including some firefighters) who would sell things or try to exploit and capitalize on the deaths of the firefighters who lost their lives in FDNY...or anywhere for that matter.

 

Fund raising for the victim's families is one thing, and I support that. Personal gain, profit and exploitation is yet another.

 

The sale and resale of some items under the guise of helping is starting to sicken me.

 

I know of one recent case where a fire officer from FDNY was asked to accompany someone to a meeting in what amounted to a "show & tell" for the benefit of the meeting with no regard for the FDNY member.

 

Honor our deceased brothers and sisters in the service, but do not try to have their death in anyway be used.....by you, a salesperson, or anyone.

 

I hope and pray that we will never see another tragedy like the one of September 11, 2001 and I hope and pray that I will never have to write ever again about firefighters being exploited during a time that we need to grieve and support one another.

 

This makes me sick.