FIRE WATCH!
It was back in July 1972, a few weeks after High school graduation, that I left for the Army at Fort Dix, N.J. We were a busload of young guys, a lot from NYC. I remember some names: Madera, Nieves, PJ, Huvane, Bosley, Pittman, and a whole bunch more.
We arrived at the "Reception Station" and were greeted by Drill Sergeant Bostik. He wasn't mean, mind you, yet a bit serious. He said, "Once we are through those big doors, I'll be another person". We got our haircuts. No, not free, we had to pay $2. We got our uniforms, which consisted of OD green fatigues, white T-shirts, black boots, OD green socks, OD green baseball caps, belts, and buckles (I still have mine to this day, the belt buckle that is), and our dress uniforms. Then we got our TA50 (combat training gear)
While we were at the reception station, we were assigned "Fire Watch." The barracks were those long wooden buildings with double bunk beds on either side of the building. On the posts were sand-filled red coffee cans. Now, these were the "ashtrays," I believe, yet no one had cigarettes. So, where would a possible "fire" come from? Yet we were all assigned "one-hour fire watches throughout the nights.
I don't remember how many of us were there, maybe 20 guys. So each guy had to pull a two-hour fire watch every night, just walking up and down, looking out for a possible "fire". We were the "Fire Guards" on our "Fire watches." Then it continued on the "Other side" of the big doors. 8 weeks of Basic Training and "Fire Watches." There at Fort Dix. E-4-2, (Echo Company, 4th Battalion, 2nd BCT Brigade) from July and August 1972.
The Bible is our "Fire Guard" and "Fire Watch". The Words of the Prophets and other writers, being inspired by the Holy Spirit of God warns us about the "coming fire," the "Lake of Fire," where Satan and his angels will spend all of eternity in suffering and pain. The Bible tells us about that "Fire ahead," and how to avoid it.
The rich man did not heed the words of the prophets and ended up in "fiery torment" being "tormented in the flames of Hell."
We all know that there is "fire ahead," yet we can avoid it; we can bypass it through the Cross of Calvary. Jesus took our sin debt and paid it in full. Hell was created for the Devil and his angels, yet it has been widened for all rebellious and unbelievers.
The job of the "Fire Guard" would be to get all the soldiers up and get them out of the barracks should a fire break out. God's Word is that "Fire Guard" that is warning us all, to steer clear and fall to the feet of our Saviour and LORD Jesus. The Bible tells us that the "Fire will be for eternity and never quenched," wherever that may be, a distant star perhaps. So, for warned, take heed.
Hey, maybe someone reading this was at Fort Dix during that year. Drop me a comment and let me know. We had Drill Sergeants Bostik, Davis, and Quiñones.
It was back in July 1972, a few weeks after High school graduation, that I left for the Army at Fort Dix, N.J. We were a busload of young guys, a lot from NYC. I remember some names: Madera, Nieves, PJ, Huvane, Bosley, Pittman, and a whole bunch more.
We arrived at the "Reception Station" and were greeted by Drill Sergeant Bostik. He wasn't mean, mind you, yet a bit serious. He said, "Once we are through those big doors, I'll be another person". We got our haircuts. No, not free, we had to pay $2. We got our uniforms, which consisted of OD green fatigues, white T-shirts, black boots, OD green socks, OD green baseball caps, belts, and buckles (I still have mine to this day, the belt buckle that is), and our dress uniforms. Then we got our TA50 (combat training gear)
While we were at the reception station, we were assigned "Fire Watch." The barracks were those long wooden buildings with double bunk beds on either side of the building. On the posts were sand-filled red coffee cans. Now, these were the "ashtrays," I believe, yet no one had cigarettes. So, where would a possible "fire" come from? Yet we were all assigned "one-hour fire watches throughout the nights.
I don't remember how many of us were there, maybe 20 guys. So each guy had to pull a two-hour fire watch every night, just walking up and down, looking out for a possible "fire". We were the "Fire Guards" on our "Fire watches." Then it continued on the "Other side" of the big doors. 8 weeks of Basic Training and "Fire Watches." There at Fort Dix. E-4-2, (Echo Company, 4th Battalion, 2nd BCT Brigade) from July and August 1972.
The Bible is our "Fire Guard" and "Fire Watch". The Words of the Prophets and other writers, being inspired by the Holy Spirit of God warns us about the "coming fire," the "Lake of Fire," where Satan and his angels will spend all of eternity in suffering and pain. The Bible tells us about that "Fire ahead," and how to avoid it.
The rich man did not heed the words of the prophets and ended up in "fiery torment" being "tormented in the flames of Hell."
We all know that there is "fire ahead," yet we can avoid it; we can bypass it through the Cross of Calvary. Jesus took our sin debt and paid it in full. Hell was created for the Devil and his angels, yet it has been widened for all rebellious and unbelievers.
The job of the "Fire Guard" would be to get all the soldiers up and get them out of the barracks should a fire break out. God's Word is that "Fire Guard" that is warning us all, to steer clear and fall to the feet of our Saviour and LORD Jesus. The Bible tells us that the "Fire will be for eternity and never quenched," wherever that may be, a distant star perhaps. So, for warned, take heed.
Hey, maybe someone reading this was at Fort Dix during that year. Drop me a comment and let me know. We had Drill Sergeants Bostik, Davis, and Quiñones.
