September 11 - Reminder of Service

Bonsoir! (after 6:00 in the evening!, learned from my girlfriend, Leith)

Today gave me an extra strong sense and appreciation of service. As President Obama called for service to community on this day, eight years after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th, it helped me appreciate how fulfilling service and community are.

Sometimes I forget what in the name of Peter from Family Guy my life has to do with service. Life as a Fire Prevention Specialist in the Santa Clara Fire Department can sometimes make my day feel like one of monotony, and not quite service.

The hot, sweltering heat of the day prompts me to have a water bottle and sunglasses within reach at all times during inspections, and walking through each and every one of the oven-like, preheated $69 per night motel units spraying canned smoke at detectors. My girlfriend, and highlight of my day, Leith, is on my mind, and the chance to call her as soon as the inspection of all forty-three units is completed won’t come soon enough. I would very much rather savor her beautiful voice. Getting down on my hands and knees, pushing, pulling, and yanking box-springs and nightstands to rat out unlawful extension cords and dysfunctional smoke alarms, while taking routine peeks through the motel window in search of the queue from the on-duty manager that the next room is ready to be inspected too, reminded me exactly what this is all about.

Trying to remain respectful, yet forceful, in telling an owner strapped in a Louis Vuitton business suit, that, in no way are these poor, innocent people whom this riche guy in a fancy, schmancy suit makes this arrogant, materialistic living off of, to be brought onto the second floor of his recently purchased run-down real estate. What is this all about?

Whether your call to service is to volunteer to help build homes, serve in a soup kitchen, join the Peace Corps, or run as a politician, this day will forever symbolize service.