Northeast News
October 21, 2015

This ol’ newsdog has seen quite a bit over the last week, maybe a little too much.

Being one of the first media outlets on the scene of the Oct. 12th tragic fire at Independence and Prospect prior to any perimeter being established by Public Safety officials. Sadly, some of the images that were seen are the kind that will stick with you forever. Watching two fallen firefighters being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building and being loaded in to ambulances as their brothers attempt to save them is the stuff that brings a whole new level of appreciation for the thankless and tireless work our first responders do on a daily basis. Knowing in their hearts that the two firefighters were gravely injured, the rest of the firefighters on the scene had to immediately go back to fighting the blaze. Where any normal person would have been a hot mess of quivering tears and emotion, these guys grabbed axes, picks and hoses and went right back in to the fray. No time to grieve, no time for self, no time to take a knee. Public safety comes before private grieving. That’s called selflessness. That’s called dedication. That’s ultimately a higher calling.

The Dog will get back to snarky and opinionated comments soon enough. For now, however, we remember two Northeast born and bred selfless heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. Firefighter John V. Mesh and Fire Apparatus Operator Larry J. Leggio. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Godspeed.