Dad,
I can't believe after 25 years of service; you're finally retiring your position as Lieutenant Firefighter at the Warren Fire Department! It seems like just yesterday, Mom was taking me to the station where you would make me balloons out of your medical gloves and lift me up into your fire truck.
We've missed so many holidays without you, but in the end, I see that it was all worth it. I am so grateful to say that I have a dad who served as a firefighter and has also come home safe in the end. You have shown me what it truly means to commit 100% and put your life out on the line for the better good of the world, and that means so much to me. Your bravery, courage, and strength have left an immense imprint on the community of your people during your tenure as a Firefighter.
I will never forget asking mom why you were gone so much as a child before I knew how much of a responsibility your job as a first responder really was, but now I truly see how much you were willing to give of yourself to not only serve the people but to support your wife and kids. I may have been secretly afraid that you weren't going to make it home many times, but I always knew in my heart that you were doing the right thing in the name of benevolence and family. It just makes it that much more of a blessing to see you safe at home in the end, where we can appreciate you for all that you have done and all that you have become after these 25 years.
In this tribute, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for being the loyal, impactful, assertive, righteous, prideful, selfless, and dedicated person that you are. Without you and your support, I wouldn't be half the person I am today. Not only would I not be who I am today, but so many people in the Warren community would not be who they are today. You have touched the lives of the people you have helped, and they would not be the same without you. Who knows? If it weren't for your heroism, some of them might not even be leading the lives that they are today. It's the butterfly effect. You may only touch a few people in your life, but what matters is that you've touched them deeply. That's one thing you've taught me that I will carry with me always. For that, I owe you and the rest of the Firefighter community my greatest appreciation.
It must be so surreal for you to be leaving a position that has been so close to your heart and that you have held for so long, but I can tell you that Mom & I are so ready to welcome you back home with open arms. You can rest in recognition and great pride in the fact that you have served your great purpose in the world.
Now sit back, relax, and crack open a beer! Here's to Lieutenant Steve D. Zanin signing out, for good.
I love you bunches!
Your Daughter. xo
