The Bravest of the Brave

For the past two nights, I've been seeing movies about fire-fighters. The first was, "The Guys". It's about a writer (Sigourney Weaver) who got called upon to help the NYFD's Captian(Anthony LaPaglia) to write eulogies for the 8 men he lost during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. As the film progresses, we learn more about their profession, the men's personalities, strengths, heroism...everthing. Sadly, it also brings us back to that painful day. The film is very small and simple (you mostly see just the two characters talking ) yet big in heart, so to speak. Last night, we saw "Ladder 49" starring John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix. A fireman's life unfolds as he waits for his people to rescue him from a burning building. "Wow", was all we could say after. This is absolutely a must-see. These movies are really a big tribute to these brave, outstanding men who put their own lives on the line to save others. ********************************** Tomorrow night we have a party to celebrate the end of another league in Ultimate Frisbee. The theme is Superheroes and Supervillains. I've been racking my brain thinking of the perfect costume. If it could only fit me, I'd go as a fireman. They're the real superheros. As they say in Ladder 49, "These are the men that run into burning buildings when you and I are busy running out." Did you know that there were around 350 fire-fighters who died during 9/11? I couldn't help but think what propels these men to risk so much for people they hardly know and to stand fast in the face of danger. After the movie, i believe I found the answer. Courage, baby. Courage.