Department Chaplain Fr. Tom McDonald
Email: frtom423@hotmail.com
Phone: 914-924-0515
A Letter from Father McDonald
What makes the Yonkers Fire Department so great? After much reflection I've come to this reality, in my mind, that it's RESPECT. To me it is so obvious that it's probably hidden in plain sight from the firefighters themselves.
In so many ways I've witnessed this respect. Sometimes in small ways, around the firehouse: in the ordinary duties of daily living: the shopping, cooking and the cleaning: the pleasant welcoming atmosphere of the individual fire stations: the tightness of the single companies, sometimes the riotous camaraderie of the double companies. Always there is present a spirit of respect and a willingness to help each other.
The officers of the department are a wonder of respect for the men in their command. That respect is met with a solidarity and a singleness of purpose and mindset that inspires the men to respond, in often times: heroic ways, by the respect they have for the people they serve and the property they've sworn to protect.
Men don't often think of themselves as pious. They don't realize that they can be real tough guys and still be Holy.
The word Holy comes from the word whole. Respect with others makes us one with others. To respect the ones with whom we work is to be one with them, united to them, and this is Holiness.
God knows the goodness of firefighters hearts. No matter how non-pious they may seem to be. He sees the truth and he respects and loves his firefighters.
They may think this is total bull, but I believe, in the eyes of God, firefighters are Holy and truly Great.
