RUNNING IN WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS RUNNING OUT

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The following was taken from Preaching Now,Vol.5, No.13.

The film Ladder 49 is about average, everyday fireman Jack Morrison (Jaoquin Phoenix). He has a wife, kids, close friends, doubts about the risks he takes, but ready to be courageous when duty calls and lives are in danger.
Jack Morrison's wife, Linda, is observing her kids as they watch TV and laugh. She notices a red car pull up and two men get out. She realizes what this means, puts her hand in front of her mouth, and begins to cry.
The scene immediately switches to the funeral in a large church. The camera pans Jack's family as well as his fellow firefighters. His captain, Mike Kennedy (John Travolta) is standing in the pulpit saying the eulogy:
"It's never an easy thing, saying good bye to a brother firefighter. It's not. And this time particularly is difficult for me because I watched Jack grow into a, well, into one of the finest firefighters I've ever known. He joined this department because he wanted to help people. Who knows how many homes are still standing because Jack was there, or how many lives were spared? He gave his life for that cause. We'll never forget you, Jack. And we're better for having known you. But I make you this one promise: Tomorrow, when the bell rings, we will be back on the truck because you were the bravest of the brave. People are always asking me, how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out? Well, Jack, you answered that question by saving another man's life. Your courage is the answer."
(submitted by Jerry De Luca; DVD Time: Scene 12 "Saying Good bye". 1:42:56 to 1:45:06. Jerry has a free website featuring illustrations from movies and other sources; you can visit at http://deluca77.tripod.com)