Fallen firefighter’s farewell
By Saeed Ahmed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA — In a column that stretched as far back as the eye could see, they marched. A silent and solemn parade of navy and black.
More than 2,000 firefighters --- some from as far as New York --- gathered in Macon on Monday to pay final respects to Steven Solomon, the Atlanta firefighter who lost his life after battling a Thanksgiving night house fire.
The 33-year-old Macon native had been with the Atlanta fire department only since July, after six years with his hometown’s fire agency.
Solomon and his wife were house hunting in the metro area for their family of four young children when the blaze allegedly started by a vagrant in Vine City made Solomon the first on-duty Atlanta firefighter killed in 20 years.
Monday morning, a convoy of Atlanta firefighters left for Macon, passing firetrucks stationed on every overpass on the 83-mile trip.
At noon, downtown Macon became a walking tribute to Solomon along the mile-and-a-half route from the funeral home to the city Coliseum. Inside, Solomon’s wife, Kennetha, called him her best friend --- one who cooked, cleaned, changed diapers and massaged her feet.
Atlanta Chief Dennis Rubin said Solomon’s fellow firefighters at Station 16 recalled how he tried to brighten everyone’s day.
“Steven taught us a lot,” Rubin said. “He taught us to cherish life to the fullest.”
A fund has been set up through Wachovia Bank. Contributions will be accepted at any branch.