When one of us is honored, all of us are honored
By Michael J. O'Lear

This edition of Flashpoint spotlights Michigan's memorial to those who have made the supreme sacrifice while carrying out their duties. As the articles ahead express, it is important for all of us to remember and salute those who have fallen.

It also is important to salute those who continue to do their jobs every day, most often without drama, but always with professionalism and dedication. These are men and women who, while they always face the possibility of injury or worse in the course of their work, deserve plenty of recognition and appreciation simply for "answering the call" by providing first-class service to the thousands that depend on them.

When one of us is honored, all of us are honored. That's why it is especially appropriate in this column to congratulate Fire Officer Matthew Salow of the Walled Lake Fire Department, who recently was named his agency's Firefighter of the Year.

The background information about this fine young man can be seen merely in terms of dates and career benchmarks. For example, he started with the department in 1984 as an explorer. In 1998, he became a fire fighter/EMT. He was promoted to fire officer in 1999.

However, as is true for the rest of us who serve, there's much more to his career than dates and titles.

The announcement that Fire Officer Salow had been selected to receive his department's top award stated that: "Throughout his commitment to the craft of fire fighting is unmatched.

"He leads by example," the article continued, "as epitomized when he was pegged as the interim fire chief" until the new chief was hired.

The story further stated that "During that period last year, Matthew Salow performed exceptionally and without fanfare. Service to the community remained steady and uncompromising."

There's no doubt that Matthew Salow deserves the honor he received. It should please every one of us that he has been officially recognized.

It also should please every one of us that notice was given to the fact that he served in his interim capacity "exceptionally and without fanfare." I believe that all of us strive to do an exceptional job at all times. And I know that the huge majority of us do so without fanfare.

Why am I using this opportunity to thank Matt, as well as to congratulate him? Because, as I stated before, when one of us is honored, all of us are honored.

I'm looking forward to meeting as many fellow MAFF members as possible, to serving all of you as Director of our outstanding organization, and to representing you in negotiations and other labor matters.

Anyone wishing to send me an idea or request, including information and/or pictures that might be used in future editions of Flashpoint, can write to me at: Michigan Association of Fire Fighters, 27704 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034-8206. My email address is m_olear@yahoo.com.