By Bill McCarthy
The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne)
CHEYENNE — City firefighters looked like they were out of uniform on Friday.
But they were making a statement with their new red shirts in place of the traditional blue that the department wears every other day of the week.
It is a statement of solidarity with others who put their lives on the line every day for their fellow citizens — soldiers.
Cheyenne Fire and Rescue is joining four other departments in Wyoming and thousands of union firefighters across the U.S. and Canada in wearing red T-shirts on Fridays to show support for troops overseas.
Many of Cheyenne’s firefighters have been in the military.
“We want to show that we support and appreciate the troops and their service,” said firefighter Jarrett DeMello.
He is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Wyoming Air National Guard who did two tours in Baghdad, Iraq.
“Also their families,” added Jim Townsend, a firefighter who served four years in the U.S. Air Force. “We want them to know that we are thinking about them.”
DeMello said that he knows from experience that the word gets to the soldiers overseas when there is a symbolic gesture, and it lifts spirits.
Cheyenne firefighters are joining units from Sheridan, Laramie and Rock Springs in showing support not only for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan but worldwide, said Jon Narva, president of the Cheyenne Professional Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local No. 279.
The union bought the red T-shirts for about $800 and distributed them to all members of the fire department to wear on Fridays. That show of support will continue until the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan conclude.
The mayor, fire chief and other city officials approved of the action, Narva added.
Townsend was a firefighter in the military. He said since firefighters work in 24-hour shifts during which they live together and respond to dangerous situations, they have a lot in common with the soldiers.
“Except here, the bullets aren’t flying by.”
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